A Great Resource for Rural Pastors

-

Today, my friend, Dann Pageler introduced me to Heartland Ministry Network, an outstanding new resource to help pastors in small communities (associated with Trinity Bible College.)

I was privileged to join them on a conference call with Shannon O'Dell, who I happened to quote on my blog earlier this morning (prompting Dann's e-mail.)

Shannon shared some keen insights on transformational ministry in the rural context. He really inspires me!
Some great thoughts from the conversation:
1. "Churches with less do more!"
2. "The less resources you have, the more you have to plan ahead."
3. "Resist the urge to settle."
4. "The goal of a rural church should be to reach the last, the lost and the least."
5. "Don't let church bullies (who want control without responsibility)
dictate the future direction of the congregation."
6. "Your marriage is a reflection of your walk with God.
7. "If you're weary, get away, pray, refresh your soul, write down your dreams and hopes
for your church, then go home and go for it!"
I'll be posting my review of his outstanding book, Transforming Church in Rural America, in a couple of weeks.

Comments

  1. Anonymous8:06 PM

    Numbers 4 and 5 really touched my heart.

    4. "The goal of a rural church should be to reach the last, the lost and the least."
    5. "Don't let church bullies (who want control without responsibility)
    dictate the future direction of the congregation."

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

If This Is Not A Place. . .

-
If this is not a place where tears are understood, Then where shall I go to cry? And if this is not a place where my spirit can take wings, Then where shall I go to fly? I don't need another place for trying to impress you With just how good and virtuous I am. I don't need another place for always being on top of things; Everybody knows that it's a sham. I don't need another place for always wearing smiles, Even when it's not the way I feel. I don't need another place to mouth the same old platitudes; Everybody knows that it's not real. So if this is not a place where my questions can be asked, Then where shall I go to seek? And if this is not a place where my heart cry can be heard, Where, tell me where, shall I go to speak? So if this is not a place where tears are understood, Where shall I go, where shall I go to fly? -- Ken Medema
Read more

My Updated Ordination Succession

-
 I made an error when I listed my ordination succession a few weeks ago.  I was ordained by Earle Wilson and he was ordained by William Neff. I had thought that Neff was ordained by early Pilgrim leader, Seth Rees, but upon further investigation, he was actually ordained by Winfred Cox.  Thus, my ordination line takes a fortunate turn. It was a struggle reconciling Rees anyway.  I had taken a leap saying that he was ordained by the Nazarenes -- when, in fact, he was originally "recorded" (not ordained) by the Quakers, and the Nazarenes claim they never ordained him.  I find that hard to believe -- especially when, according to historian, Kostlevy, he participated in ordinations for the Metropolitan Church Association, a forerunner of the Pilgrim Holiness Church. Anyhow -- deepest apologies for leading anyone astray and here is the updated ordination succession for Earle Wilson and anyone ordained by him (including former Wesleyan GS, JoAnne Lyon). I was ordained by Earle Wils
Read more