Rural Pastors Talk

In this episode we... discuss ChatGPT and what applications or drawbacks it may have in rural ministry. Upcoming Events TGC Gathering at First Southern Baptist: https://fb.me/e/3qBOjuFb8 9Marks Workshop at Wellsboro Bible Church: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fulfill-your-ministry-a-9-marks-workshop-for-pastors-and-church-leaders-tickets-546364219087?fbclid=IwAR3MA7JIt4z6vdh3nYopBvrQng7dQyu1Qu8EjDb...

In this episode we... give you a realistic pathway to find rest and refreshment without hurting the church or piling on more work SO you can be more effective in the long haul. Plan: Week 1 = Rest Week 2 = Catch up at home or Church *Visit other churches Upcoming Events TGC Gathering at First Southern Baptist: https://fb.me/e/3qBOjuFb8 9Marks Workshop at Wellsboro Bible Church: https://www.eventbr...

In this episode we discuss... encouragement for rural pastors to lead them to personal repentance, to cast aside idols of their own heart, and to a single minded devotion to trust in the Lord for all the victories He gives. To give them a rallying cry that they can remember. Come Thou Founts most obscure lyric helps us dearly! 1 Samuel 7 How can we raise our ebenezers? Repent from all your own ido...

In this episode we discuss... the need to get more accustomed to picking up the binoculars to see the needs of the churches around us…in places people don’t normally look. The church normally looks with 2 lenses: Reading glasses up close (our own congregation) A telescope (foreign/overseas missions) We need a third lense: B inoculars in the towns and counties around us. Acts 11:27-30 Romans 15:25-...

In this episode we discuss... the unhealthy culture of rugged individualism. An Unhealthy Culture of Rugged Individualism is dangerously nominal. An Unhealthy Culture of Rugged Individualism is immature and selfish. Proverbs 18:1 Ephesians 5:7-14 Proverbs 28:13 1 John 1:5-10 Our Quote of the Day: The confessing of sins to each other is not only commanded, but it is also a means of comfort and a he...

In this episode we discuss... helping rural elders & deacons support each other by laying aside their own feelings in favor of the decision of the plurality. How you react after the vote is cast matters more than you think. Don't give into temptation to complain and dishonor the brothers you're serving with. Instead respond humbly, and walk through theological and practical differenc...

In this episode we... Ask for rural pastors to help us think through what might be good for them.  TGC Gathering at First Southern Baptist: https://fb.me/e/3qBOjuFb8 9Marks Workshop at Wellsboro Bible Church: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fulfill-your-ministry-a-9-marks-workshop-for-pastors-and-church-leaders-tickets-546364219087?fbclid=IwAR3MA7JIt4z6vdh3nYopBvrQng7dQyu1Qu8EjDbbAcmGTOtPNKT8PLXOu7o...

In this episode we discuss... helping rural pastors see that faithfulness to God is of primary importance.  You were not hired to grow a church! Healthy does not necessarily mean growing. Do all healthy churches grow? 1 Corinthians 3:5-15 What should we pursue instead? 1 Corinthians 3:10-11 How will you be judged? 1 Peter 5:1-4 2 Timothy 4:1-5 Hebrews 13:17 Check out this article from Mark Dever o...

In this episode we discuss... employing the gifts of the entire body instead of relying too much on the pastor. Romans 12:3–8 Ephesians 4:4–16 Our Quote of the Day: (God) would never give you so much of the world to lose your heart in the love of it, or so little to distract you with the care of it. - John Flavel, The Mystery of Providence

In this episode we discuss... the fear of man in their ministry and reject it in favor of honoring God: There are a number of "scary" people within the church Our fear of these people needs to be replaced, by God's grace, by the fear of the LORD Job 28:28 Matthew 10:28 Deuteronomy 10:12 2 Timothy 4:1-8 Stuff Rural Pastors Can Use Review: How can you bless your people in a small way?...

In this episode we discuss... encouragement for rural pastors to think more about the WHY behind their ministry: What is the vision of the church?  What should the vision of your local church be? Let us consider God's plan for the church and how you, brother pastor, can encourage your church toward that vision. Stuff Rural Pastors Can Use Review: Are our book shelves over run? Consider the oc...

In this episode we discuss... working together in a meaningful way with other likeminded churches and pastors: We have the great commission as our marching orders, but we can possibly achieve disciples of every nation on our own. We NEED each other. Consider Paul's example in 1 Corinthians 16 and Acts 24. Stuff Rural Pastors Can Use Review: Drowning in paper work, emails, texts, and a clutter...

In this episode we discuss... 5 helpful tips to encourage saints who are resistant to reading their Bibles: 1. Check their Translation 2. Emphasize the Importance 3. Teach Them to Pray First 4. Expect More, Not Less 5. Start in Mark  Stuff Rural Pastors Can Use Review: Looking for a product to make anything stick? Check out Joe's recommendation of Devcon Epoxy ! Our Quote of the Day: “Don’t w...

In this episode we discuss... the need for expositional preaching in the rural church. An expository sermon may be defined as a message whose structure and thought are derived from a biblical text, that covers the scope of the text, and that explains the features and context of the text in order to disclose the enduring principle for faithful thinking, living, and worship intended by the Spirit, w...

A very merry Christmas from TJ, Joe, and Joshua! We will see you in January, 2023!

In this episode we discuss... what we can find out about rural churches with rural reasearcher Dr. Jeff Clark. Dr. Clark will answer a number of questions surrounding the rural church landscape, while giving insight and helpful encouragement to rural pastors and churchgoers alike! Find more info about Dr. Clark here . Stuff Rural Pastors Can Use Review: No review today. Our Quote of the Day: No Qu...

In this episode we discuss... whether or not a Christmas eve service can be redeemed as  worship service without using gimmicks to get and retain guests. Pew Research: search terms or churches spike around Christmas and Easter 3 out of 5 Americans say they plan to include church in their holiday plans Christmas Eve should be a WORSHIP service But we can also think carefully of how to care for gues...

In this episode we discuss... the value of rural ministry from a Biblical theology of rural ministry. Consider the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11. We must not STOP ministering in cities, leaving rural behind. God's glory demands that we bear His image and have dominion in ALL places. Stuff Rural Pastors Can Use Review: Do you have a junk drawer? Consider a living room junk basket instead! (Nice...

In this episode we discuss... mutual support between churches in different locations with special guests Pastor Ed Moore and Pastor Dave Theobald. Dave and Ed will answer questions like: How do this partnership between your churches begin? What kind of fruit has come from this relationship? Is there anything challenging about a rural church and an urban church working together? What are the benefi...

In this episode we discuss... a Biblical theology of rural ministry. Found in the creation mandate in Genesis 1:26-28 Implication: God owns this whole thing and intends to have his image and his dominion spread into every nook and cranny of the planet!  Stuff Rural Pastors Can Use Review: Need a sleek new mug to enjoy your favorite hot drink? Consider grabbing a CUSTOM mug from our friend and past...

In this episode we discuss... how to be prepared for anything with our good friend David! Stuff Rural Pastors Can Use Review: Interested in survival tools for everyday use? Check out David's Tiny Survival line! Use code RPT50 on the bundle of Tiny Survival Guide and Tiny First Aid God for 50% off! Our Quote of the Day: "There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existenc...

In this episode we discuss... going bi-vocational to better serve the rural church. Purchase your own mug at reformedpottery.com . Stuff Rural Pastors Can Use Review: Need new beard oil? Check out Kyle's at Reformer's Beard Co . Our Quote of the Day: " Your heart is not the compass that Christ saileth by."   -  Samuel Rutherford

In this episode we discuss... pastoral internships with Zeke, Trevor, and Joshua! Why do a pastoral internship? Purpose: To help young men discern if they are called to pastoral ministry in the future. To grow in Character, Conviction, and Competency. Why host a pastoral internship? Is Seminary a bad thing? How might this experience change how you love the church after you’re done here? Reach Josh...

In this episode we discuss... why a megachurch might not be the best goal for you with special return guest Denny Dillman. Why would you let go of serving in a mega church to go full time in rural ministry? What benefit does the rural church you serve now have over the bigger church you used to? With concerns in our culture and world, how can rural pastors serve more faithfully? Reach Denny: homes...

In this episode we discuss... awareness regarding the value of rural churches in broader culture with special guest Dr. Glenn Daman, author of  The Forgotten Church . He'll answer questions like: Why do you care so much about churches most people overlook? In your book, the church in forgotten places, you make an argument for the value of the rural church and you go so far as to say that the...