This has been an absolute mess of a year in a lot of ways. We’ve all been struggling. I’ve been struggling. Thankfully, I found several webinars and classes that helped to shift my focus and find peace and confidence in the Lord to lead through these uncharted waters. The only problem is they were not created for the RURAL ministry context.
I had to do a lot of translating, which seems to be the case for so much of the continuing education opportunities available. That is one reason I started this blog almost 3 years ago, now. I wanted to develop a space for encouragement and support for rural pastors and ministry leaders.
These blog posts have been encouraging to a broader audience than I really expected! I was blown away when I looked at the stats and the map the other day! Welcome to all of you from across the country and all around the world! How exciting to see the Kingdom of God brought “together” to support growth in our mutually rural contexts!
Your presence affirms that I am providing a necessary service and that rural ministry education is desired and needed. As I continue to write blog posts for our monthly encouragement (I even go back and read them from time to time and encourage myself), I am being led to expand this ministry for even greater growth.
Paul wrote to the Corinthians, “Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.” (2 Corinthians 9:10-11)
When Growing Rural Ministries started, one of my fears was not having enough wisdom and encouragement to share. Before I ever launched the site, I had created a list of about 12 topics so that I had enough to get through the first year if I had to posted just once a month. The ideas just keep coming through ministry, through conversations with you, other colleagues and my coach, through reading, and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
So, it is time to grow this ministry so that you can grow even more as disciples, pastors, and leaders. If you are finding yourself focusing on all that has been stopped or lost this year; if you’re struggling to lead; if you’re feeling drained by all the changes and the huge learning curves of 2020; or if you’re feeling like you’ve been buried and alone, I offer this first 4-week course to you. I’ve designed this course to help you can embrace having been planted in this context and ministry for such a time as this and bloom!
Click this link or go to my new “Learn & Grow” page for details and registration!
A Note About the Cost: I remain always committed to you and the needs of the rural church. I know that the pandemic has resulted in financial insecurity for many. Most four week ministry courses (I’ve found lately) cost $99 dollars and higher. I have prayerfully set the price for this 4-week course at $50.
Growing Rural Ministries 