rural church

Today, the guys have a conversation about the challenges and rewards of pastoring Churches in rural areas.

Have a topic you'd like us to discuss?  Have comments or questions about the episode?  Reach out to us below!  We love hearing from our listeners!

As always, thanks so much for listening!

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Opening & ending music: Southern Love by Tencher Music

In this episode, Rev. Amber Mitts joins her wife, Rebecca, as Justin was unable to record this week. Amber goes in depth about how disability and accessibility is treated, preached, and lived in a rural church context. She discusses what she has done in her church to promote accessibility and advocate for the disability community, which could be helpful for other pastors (or lay leaders) who are unsure where to start. She also goes into what is happening on a broader scale within the Methodist church. We missed Justin this week, but I hope you enjoyed Amber's expertise and passion as much as I did! (Of course I enjoy it, she's my wife.)

In this episode we discuss...

• our five points on visitors in the rural church!
  1. Your website left me hanging.
     • Outdated info, no idea of what to expect, no photos, no preview of staff, hard to find contact info, listening to a sermon was difficult, etc.
  2. Everyone seemed like they knew what they were doing, but me.
     • Confusing parking lot, which door do I go to, no greeters, stack of bulletins, where is the sanctuary, where are the bathrooms, what do I do with my kids, etc.
     • Was I supposed to take communion?
  3. I’ll be honest…I was a little bored, and I think you might have been too.
     • People seemed more like they were going through the motions.
     • The announcements were long and tedious and seemed irrelevant.
     • Scripture reading was flat, prayers were stale, and the sermon was monotone.
  4. People seemed surprised to have a guest.
     • Unprepared?
     • They didn’t know if they should greet me or not. Some people were way over the top. No place for me to go get info. Church was messy.
  5. I might have come back if you would have attempted to follow up.

Stuff Rural Pastors Can Use Review:

• Curious about resources on member care and discipleship? Joe lets us know about IBCD's Care and Discipleship online course!

Our Quote of the Day:

• "Hospitality is a concrete, down-to-earth test of our fervent love for God and His peoplw.” Alexander Strauch

CONTACT (give us feedback, topic ideas, or just say hey)

Call and leave a message at (570) 724-3741

Email: ruralpastorstalk@gmail.com

Website: http://ruralpastorstalk.buzzsprout.com/

SOCIAL MEDIA

Facebook: http://facebook.com/ruralpastorstalk

Twitter: @ruralpastors

LISTEN

Itunes

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Stitcher

Google Play

CONTACT

Call and leave a message at (570) 724-3741

Email: ruralpastorstalk@gmail.com

Website: http://ruralpastorstalk.buzzsprout.com/

SOCIAL MEDIA

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ruralpastors

Twitter: @ruralpastors

LISTEN

Itunes

Spotify

In this episode we discuss...

• our five points on when church members disagree with you.
  1. Have a process for making wise, Biblical, and plural decisions.
     • Acts 20
     • 1 Timothy 5
     • Be convictional, but if necessary flexible.
  2. Work exclusively for the approval of Christ.
  3. Ask thoughtful questions and listen to the answers.
     • Create an atmosphere where people know they can come and ask questions.
     • Example Questions: Are you TRUSTING God or TESTING God? OR Is this a Biblical issue or a preference issue?
  4. Have the Romans 14 perspective about church unity and self-sacrifice.
     1. "In the essentials unity, in the non-essentials liberty (grace), and in all things charity (love)." Rupertus Meldenius
  5. Use 1 Timothy 5:1-2 on how to correct different people who may be upset.

Stuff Rural Pastors Can Use Review:

• Need to know what every beach trip needs? Listen to TJ share all you need to know about beach carts!

Our Quote of the Day:

• "The attentive study of Scripture...soothes the mind with an inexpressible sweetness; it satisfies the sacred hunger and thirst for knowledge with flowing rivers of honey and butter..." Charles Bridges, The Christian Ministry

CONTACT (give us feedback, topic ideas, or just say hey)

Call and leave a message at (570) 724-3741

Email: ruralpastorstalk@gmail.com

Website: http://ruralpastorstalk.buzzsprout.com/

SOCIAL MEDIA

Facebook: http://facebook.com/ruralpastorstalk

Twitter: @ruralpastors

LISTEN

Itunes

Spotify

Stitcher

Google Play

CONTACT

Call and leave a message at (570) 724-3741

Email: ruralpastorstalk@gmail.com

Website: http://ruralpastorstalk.buzzsprout.com/

SOCIAL MEDIA

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ruralpastors

Twitter: @ruralpastors

LISTEN

Itunes

Spotify

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 program.
    • Worship that melts your face.
    • The preacher with 2 Ph.Ds who was trained by Tony Robbins and Oprah
  • What can we do in our small churches to make real kingdom impact?
    • Preach really good Biblical sermons.
    • Administer the sacraments.
    • Sing with faithfulness and enthusiasm.
      • No matter the size of your team.
    • Be the best shepherds you can be.
      • Love the sheep.
      • Feed the sheep.
      • Correct the sheep.
      • Love the sheep some more.
      • Learn from the sheep.
    • Teach your congregation to take responsibility for the geography you’re in!

Links for our Top Two's:

• Giving your money away
• Unbelievable? Podcast
• Mint Budgeting App
• Honey-crisp Apples

CONTACT (give us feedback, topic ideas, or just say hey)

Call and leave a message at (570) 724-3741

Email: ruralpastorstalk@gmail.com

Website: http://ruralpastorstalk.buzzsprout.com/

SOCIAL MEDIA

Facebook: http://facebook.com/ruralpastorstalk

Twitter: @ruralpastors

LISTEN

Itunes

Spotify

Stitcher

Google Play

CONTACT

Call and leave a message at (570) 724-3741

Email: ruralpastorstalk@gmail.com

Website: http://ruralpastorstalk.buzzsprout.com/

SOCIAL MEDIA

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ruralpastors

Twitter: @ruralpastors

LISTEN

Itunes

Spotify

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 better?
    • How would you help a young pastor who needs to disciple much older men of the church who have never have been truly discipled before?
    • How would you encourage a smaller rural church to disciple when its members may have built up emotional walls and everybody pretends they have it together?
    • How would you encourage our listeners to make time for discipleship?
    • How are you discipling your family, and what would you recommend our listeners to do to better disciple their families?
    • Do you recommend any short books, pamphlets, booklets or resources that a pastor can start handing out to a leadership team that is inexperienced in discipleship?
      • The Trellis and the Vine
      • The Master Plan of Evangelism
      • The Master Plan of Discipleship

Links for our Top Two's:

• knowableword.com
• IVP Dictionary of the Old Testament
• onX App
• Strava App

CONTACT (give us feedback, topic ideas, or just say hey)

Call and leave a message at (570) 724-3741

Email: ruralpastorstalk@gmail.com

Website: http://ruralpastorstalk.buzzsprout.com/

SOCIAL MEDIA

Facebook: http://facebook.com/ruralpastorstalk

Twitter: @ruralpastors

LISTEN

Itunes

Spotify

Stitcher

Goog

CONTACT

Call and leave a message at (570) 724-3741

Email: ruralpastorstalk@gmail.com

Website: http://ruralpastorstalk.buzzsprout.com/

SOCIAL MEDIA

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ruralpastors

Twitter: @ruralpastors

LISTEN

Itunes

Spotify

In this episode we discuss singing and song selection in the rural church:

Is singing biblical? YES!

• 1 Chronicles 15:16
• 1 Chronicles 16:23-24
• Psalm 100:1-2
• Psalm 22:1-3
• Psalm 71:22-24
• Zephaniah 3:17 - 17
• Ephesians 5:19-20
• James 5:13
• Matthew 26:30
• Acts 16:25

Who should choose the worship songs for a Sunday morning?

• As the shepherd of the church, the pastor should always be involved in what is being sung.

How do you choose songs for worship?

• You should choose songs that are appropriate for the theme of the text you're preaching.
  • This means songs that are more somber are GOOD for more somber texts!
• You should choose songs that are rich in theology.
• You should choose songs that are singable for the congregation, not just the worship leader.

Where do you choose songs for worship?

• Hymns (Hymns of Grace)
• Spotify
• Sovereign Grace Music
• Austin Stone Worship
• Shane and Shane
• Norton Hall Band
• Matt Merker Music

The listener question we answer this week:

Daniel Everett from Lock Haven, PA asks, "Also, I have a question that I would be interested in hearing your answer to. As a church member I recognize that pastors have a very wonderful calling from God, but that it is also a physically, emotionally, and spiritually arduous calling. What are ways that I am able to encourage my pastor(s), knowing that there are unique challenges and difficulties in the context of a rural church?"

Links for our Top Two's:

• Crossway's ESV Scripture Journals
• Keith & Kristyn Getty's Sing
• Bob Kauflin's Worship Matters
• Jack London Short Stories
• Yerba Mate Tea Bags

CONT

CONTACT

Call and leave a message at (570) 724-3741

Email: ruralpastorstalk@gmail.com

Website: http://ruralpastorstalk.buzzsprout.com/

SOCIAL MEDIA

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ruralpastors

Twitter: @ruralpastors

LISTEN

Itunes

Spotify

In this 9th installment of the #WomenInYM emphasis Chad chats with fellow podcaster and youth minister Arielle Williford. This interview is so encouraging for women who lead in youth and for all of those who know the special blessing and challenge of leading youth ministry in small towns or rural areas. Check this warm and helpful episode filled with baby-coos. Thanks Arielle!

Check out Arielle on Twitter

Check our Arielle's Podcast

Enter The #WomenInYM Giveaway For A Chance @ $500 in prizes

Join The Twitter Conversation For #WomenInYM

Key Takeaway: Stop trying to fit the mold, be who God created you to be  

• Growing up in Virgina I never had a male youth pastor apart from my father.  
• Working with my husband and seeing him lead a student to Christ is one of the great moments of my ministry. 
• I love creating worshipful spaces  
• I think so many female youth pastors that are single think they have to have a spouse  
• Focus on God’s purpose first and foremost  
• Stop trying to fit the mold, be who God created you to be 

Join the community!