Rural Pastors Talk

In this episode we discuss... how your church should respond when shady people come through the door! We've all had folks walk into our doors on a Sunday morning looking and acting strange! What should we do in these scenarios? Solutions! Love them! 1 Cor. 13. Shepherd. Guarding the flock should imply doing everything it takes to keep the people safe. Showing hospitality means protecting thos...

In this episode we discuss... does your church need a tour guide? What was your favorite childhood tour? Church services are more important than factories, geological features, or art museums, but few church leaders see the need for a dynamic tour guide to enthusiastically bring the elements of the service to life for the people who attend. We ASSUME everyone knows what we’re doing and why we’re d...

In this episode we discuss... competition that so often characterizes the rural church! Too many churches see other churches as competition because we have a wrong view of success! We had 200 people on Easter! We had 10 new kids at AWANA! We had to expand our parking lot! We had to hire another pastor! How does Jesus measure success? God’s grand purpose in creation: His own glory! Isaiah 43:1–7 Ho...

In this episode we discuss... when we don't want to do rural ministry! Are you called to pastoral ministry? Have you considered the NEED in rural churches for men serving long term? Are you in rural ministry now? Do you feel isolated, abandoned, or less important? Acts 18:10 "...I have many in this city who are my people!" There are people in rural areas that need the gospel! What w...

In this episode we discuss... TJ's recent short term mission trip with Spread of Grace Ministries in Mexico! What is Spread of Grace? A ministry training remote rural pastors throughout the world who don't have access to the training we have in english. What did TJ do? How were pastor's impacted? How can you learn more? Website Michael Miosi, Executive Director MMiosi@spreadofgrace....

In this episode we discuss... how can you strive for excellence in worship in tiny churches?! We know from Scripture we're called to worship: Psalm 149:1 Colossians 3:16 to name a few Challenges for worship in tiny churches: There aren’t that many musicians to go around in smaller congregations. The few musicians that are there can stake their claim on the piano/organ. Some musicians or vocal...

In this episode we discuss... why people are showing up late to your services! 3 Reasons:  They have not thought carefully about the impact on others. Philippians 2:3 1 Corinthians 13:5 Hebrews 10:24-25 Ecclesiastes 7:1 Solution? Teach the congregation the importance of being on time for the sake of others. You have not thought carefully about the impact on the congregation. Church doesn’t start o...

In this episode we discuss... your email questions! From Rich in Wellsboro, PA Does TJ’s hair look the same way when he wakes up as it does when he goes to bed? From Jeremy in Catawissa, PA On Episode 32, TJ and Joe both proudly recommended shopping at thrift stores, with TJ even going so far as to say that most of his wardrobe came from thrift stores.  Several years ago, Tim Challies wrote an art...

In this episode we discuss... the second step toward church revitalization: THE WORD ! 7 Reasons the Word of God Can Revitalize Your Church ! The Word of God does more than you can . Hebrews 4:12-13 The Word of God changes people who have problems . 2 Timothy 3:16-17 The Word of God is smarter than you are . Psalm 119:105 The Word of God works for the simple . Psalm 119:130 You cannot live without...

In this episode we discuss... the first step toward church revitalization: PRAYER!   Do you treat prayer like this? A transition time? You have the “prayer voice.” You repeat phrases. It’s obligatory. Fast and short. This is a possible indicator that your personal prayer time is lacking. We need a constant, deep, sustaining prayer life! A church will not experience spiritual revitalization until t...

In this episode we discuss... responsible financial stewardship in the rural church! Fraud can happen without you knowing it! Most pastors and church leaders have NO intention of hurting the Church. We think there is a way that a lot of rural pastors are misusing church funds without even realizing it. Many rural pastors are overworked. Pastoral ministry is demanding. What if we told you that inst...

In this episode we discuss... how 3 rural churches saved Christmas by partnering with one another! The Set Up. Across the country, many rural churches are stagnant, declining, or on death’s doorstep thinking We don’t have the money… We don’t have the people… We don’t have the time… We are struggling to keep our own heads out of the water… We’re happy with things just the way they are… If people wa...

In this episode we discuss... the importance of fiction in the life of the rural pastor with special guest Mike Conroy! Can busy pastors glean any useful information from reading fiction? How do fiction stories help illuminate reality to make us better pastors? Does reading fiction make pastors better preachers? What kind of fiction should pastors read? Resources from Mike Conroy: C.S. Lewis'...

In this episode we discuss... a continuation from last week: Can small churches be effective in reaching their communities without acting like a mega church? Conference initiatives we learn in larger areas that don't translate to the rural area: Evangelism Initiatives. Street Witnessing. Build a relationship and bring them to the big show! Having an expensive and elaborate children’s ministry...

In this episode we discuss... is the rural church worth saving? Challenges: Less people over a more spread out area. 95% of the U.S. is rural, but only 20% of the population live there. Rural people often don't want what larger metropolitan areas offer. Rural people are often rugged individualists. There is a lack of healthy churches. Rural churches are often seen as stepping stones for young...

On this episode we answer this email question from Denny Dillman: " A member gets angry about a decision in the church. One minute they are onboard with you totally. The next they are gone, and seeking out other members to see if they can be "turned". The dust settles, but as a Pastor, you find yourself avoiding contact with this person. In a small town, you know you're going t...

In this episode we discuss... the problem of Biblical illiteracy and easy ways to fight it! Biblical literacy in the church is on the decline. LifeWay Research Ligonier State of Theology Survey Why is this a problem? Matthew 4:4 Through the Bible we: Understand our purpose. Respond to trouble. Learn to steward what God has entrusted to us. Have hope. And much more!! What can we do to combat biblic...

In this episode we discuss... How do we help somebody grow who is already a lot older than we are? Sometimes, it can be really hard to teach old dogs new tricks! Familiar worship music and liturgy is comfortable for them and makes them resistant to change. Politics and patriotism. Patriotism is equal to Christianity. The past is perfect. It was never like this when I was a kid! Not as eager to vol...

In this episode we discuss... pastoring rural parents with our guest author, speaker, and pastor Dr. Tedd Tripp! We'll answer these questions: What do we need to know about the kids in our church before we can equip the parents in our churches to shepherd them well? What is the biggest mistake you see Christian parents making that they might not even be aware of? If a young pastor came to you...

In this episode we discuss... discipling our people with Peter Krol, President of DiscipleMakers and teaching elder at Grace Fellowship Church in State College, PA! We'll answer these questions: What do you see as the role of one-on-one discipleship, as well as congregational discipleship in the local church? How does our ability as pastors to study the Bible help us disciple our people bette...

In this episode we discuss... youth and kids ministry in the rural context with our special guest, Pastor Ben Garner! We'll answer these questions: How do you find volunteers? How do you manage your volunteers? How do you shepherd your volunteers? What is your goal in ministering to youth? How are you trying to accomplish that? Are there events you DO NOT DO because of your philosophy of mini...

In this episode we discuss... that good enough is not good enough! What happens when we get comfortable or complacent when we're leading the church? We become program driven. We become metric driven. We have poorly nourished flocks. What does Scripture say about our work to the Lord? 1 Corinthians 10:31 Colossians 3:23 7 thoughts effective pastors think to combat complacency and comfortabilit...

In this episode we discuss... the motivation of the rural pastor! Why do people live in rural areas? Less people. Less noise. Less traffic. More grass. More wildlife. More like-minded people. Slower pace. Good place to raise kids. Why do pastors live in the country? Where there are people there needs to be a presence of the local church. A local church, by God’s design, is shepherded by men who ar...

In this episode we discuss... pressing on in the midst of road blocks! What does Scripture say about trusting the Lord in perseverance? The Pattern of Scripture: Moses Ruth David Deuteronomy 7:7 Matthew 6:25-34 Acts 18:9-10 Philippians 4:7-8 James 4:13-17 What should we do practically to press on during road blocks? Prioritize the BEST things. We exist to glorify God. The Church belongs to Him. We...

In this episode we discuss... church discipline in the local church! What does Scripture say about church discipline? Matthew 18 1 Corinthians 5 Titus 3:10 Hebrews 3 Galatians 6:1 James 5:19-20 Hebrews 12:6 What forms of discipline exist? Formative Corrective What should you do to move forward? A clear understanding of membership. (Clear inside and outside i.e. 1 Cor. 5) A leadership that is align...