https://youtu.be/-lkLRL4Qm3Q In this interview with pastors Kent Garfield and Ymbar Polanco, hear the amazing story of how the Holy Spirit took a rural church on the verge of closing to a multiplying, multi-site, multi-ethnic ministry! This did not happen overnight, but through faithful perseverance, across multiple generations, following the Holy Spirit in one direction. As … Continue reading From 0 to Multiplying: a multiple generation vision bears much fruit
The Rural Church Turnaround (with Danny Davis)
I first came across the name Danny Davis and his ministry as I was searching for updated rural ministry resources to share, and I discovered his book that came out in 2020: The Rural Church Turnaround. The opening words of the description read, "Declining or plateauing rural churches do not have to die! They can … Continue reading The Rural Church Turnaround (with Danny Davis)
Strategically Small, Multiplying the Kingdom Worldwide Part 2
https://youtu.be/4nBbqnXk8Mg In the last post, we heard the story of how Pfrimmer's Chapel, a small, rural church in Indiana, committed to God’s vision that they should remain intentionally small while working to multiply disciples worldwide! This rural church has planted six churches in four countries and has entered into 8 ministry partnerships internationally over the … Continue reading Strategically Small, Multiplying the Kingdom Worldwide Part 2
Strategically Small, Multiplying the Kingdom Worldwide! Part 1
https://youtu.be/ztay_b5Ii9A In this episode, I had the joy of interviewing Pastor Tim Johnson from Pfrimers Chapel. (indiana) He shares the story of how this very rural church (in a place where there are more opossums than people, as he put it) ended up planting 13 churches internationally in 2020-2021! Check out the video or listen … Continue reading Strategically Small, Multiplying the Kingdom Worldwide! Part 1
The Power In Rural Ministry
https://youtu.be/P0Q6C6YuHCU I am so excited to share this interview with you! Melanie and Rosalie are two of the leaders of The Power In Me Conference and Warrior Courses in Callao, MO. Watch the video to hear their story of this culture shaping, life transforming ministry that is happening (and growing!) in this rural community with … Continue reading The Power In Rural Ministry
What does it mean to faithfully make new generations of disciples in your community?
https://youtu.be/K1xjz7KAS-w Shortly after I first launched this blog (in 2018), I was attending a rural ministry conference and got to speak with several people about this new resource I was developing. One woman replied, "Oh yes, I read that once. It is too much about reaching children and youth. We don't have any kids." I … Continue reading What does it mean to faithfully make new generations of disciples in your community?
Focus on One Thing and Do It With Excellence
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay https://youtu.be/artlRs1vKg4 For most of us, the pandemic reduced our ministries to socially distant worship last year. That was all the ministry we offered, and some of us are still there. But to be a growing ministry we have to connect people, who are not already worshiping with us, to … Continue reading Focus on One Thing and Do It With Excellence
Your Church Lives and Breathes by the Participation of Laity in the Work of the Holy Spirit
https://youtu.be/Q147oqOc4Bc I saw an image online that read "Job openings available for Christians: Long hours, poor working conditions, no pay, no earthly retirement, persecution is expected, suffering is long, praise is minimal, Heavenly retirement possible." While all of that is Biblically accurate, if this was the description of any other job, who would want it? … Continue reading Your Church Lives and Breathes by the Participation of Laity in the Work of the Holy Spirit
Working Out Your Salvation with Fear and Trembling… Together
Rev. Meghan participating in the 2021 Global Legislative Assembly of the Wesleyan Covenant Association https://youtu.be/BQg3Aj_sn30 John Wesley urged and led the early Methodists to "work out their salvation with fear and trembling". That sounds really scary and hard, and, for too long, our churches have shied away from such disciplines. Yet, if we pay attention … Continue reading Working Out Your Salvation with Fear and Trembling… Together
Technology in the Rural Church
I have a quote on my office wall that reads, "People don't resist change, they resist loss." (I don't know who said it first.) In the video below, Pastor Charles Littrell shares the story of how one of his rural churches has focused on what is to be gained and minimized loss in order to … Continue reading Technology in the Rural Church