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)

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

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

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

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?

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

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

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

Image by Esther Merbt from Pixabay https://youtu.be/l0XzW_Mst6M *Disclaimer: This post will focus on student ministries, but the leadership development model presented translates to other areas of ministries as well.* Pandemic or not, one of the ongoing struggles for many rural ministries is knowing what to do with and for the children and youth. We love … Continue reading Raise up leaders? Yes, You Can!