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!

https://youtu.be/iVL4gR8dxrM Greetings, and welcome to Growing Rural Ministries. I am passionate about helping rural churches thrive for the glory of God! In this episode, we’re going to address the rural church’s role in politics and the Gospel. In polite company, there has long been an unspoken rule that you don’t talk about money, religion, or … Continue reading Politics and Rural Ministry

Image Credit: JuraJarema at Depositphotos https://youtu.be/3jBWmlf35FA Now that January is nearly over...Happy New Year to all you friends and colleagues in rural ministry! Sorry, I'm a little behind already. Are you feeling like you or your ministry has fallen behind too? If so, that's why I'm here: to support and encourage you toward growth so … Continue reading Determined to Grow in 2021

Photo by Sharleine Thorhaug Eger on Facebook Have you ever given much thought to the song "O Little Town of Bethlehem" or to why God chose Bethlehem as the birthplace of Christ? Currently the population is around 25,000, and it is a tourist attraction. But back then, it was a "little town" located between Jerusalem … Continue reading Christmas Hope for Rural Ministry