This proverb is certainly profitable for all Christians, but I’m not sure any Christian understands it as well as a farmer does. If you’re a pastor in a rural context, you might just have a member or two that can tell you all about working his land. It is the type of work that requires physical labor, intense planning, and endless perseverance. If you know a farmer, you should consider sitting down and asking him what he thinks of this proverb.

Pastoral ministry is difficult! We face challenges every week that test our resolve, our patience, and our knowledge. In particular, I believe this to be the case for pastors ministering in rural contexts. Such pastors tend to struggle both with lack of resources and lack of hands to do the work of ministry. In times of need, I’ve found the pastoral epistles (1 & 2 Timothy and Titus) to be a precious treasure.

Chaplin’s story is one out of so many that teach us of the importance of ministry education. Why would a comfortable pastor drag his family up the Kennebec River into rural Maine? Because the prize is worth the challenge. May we be resolved to serve into the challenges we face as those pastoring in rural communities. May we be resolved to encourage the education of rural pastors and the reviving work of ministry in overlooked communities.

Not that long ago, I was sitting in my pastor’s office, browsing his impressive library. I picked up one of his books, a thick one on church history, and commented, “I would never be able to read something like this.” At the time, I had a low view of church history…

Do you live in a rural place and feel stuck? Do you pray that God would call you to a place bigger and better than where you’re at now? Well, that was me. I was right there with you. I tried to leave twice, but in God’s providence, He kept me in a rural place. Let me explain…

In the pantheon of great cinematic heroes, Clint Eastwood rises near the top. Before he was a cop with a .44 magnum or a grumpy old man with a Gran Torino, Eastwood portrayed mysterious loners in classic westerns. He even played a gun-toting preacher once. He rode out of the wilderness as a singular and enigmatic hero. He wasn’t there to make friends. He was there to stand alone and save the day. Pastor, you're not Clint Eastwood…

One Sunday evening, as a teenager, I stood in a pew with a hymnal in my hands at small country church in PA. I had been hearing Pastor Rob preach verse by verse through the Scriptures Sunday after Sunday. After growing up in stale religion, it was like fresh rain to the soul. Suddenly the congregation sang: “Jesus what a friend for sinners, Jesus lover of my soul. Friends may fail me, foes assail me, He may Savior makes me whole!” In that moment, God regenerated my heart…

I still remember the collective gasp when I shared in one of my seminary classes that I live and minister in a town of 8,000 people. I was stunned by the amount of shock my peers displayed—8,000 is not that small! Our discussion inevitably drifted towards my plans for utilizing my degree in such a small town. To be honest, I’m uncertain about what God has in store for me in the coming years, but I am sure of one thing: God has given me the desire to strengthen the rural church…

One sleepless summer night, on the top bunk of an old camp bed, I became a Christian. The next day I became a legalist. 

Growing up, when I thought about church, I thought rules. There were rules about music, rules about friends, rules about clothing, rules about which church van to ride in, and — I was convinced — rules about the rules!

As I wrestled with the idea of trusting Christ I resisted because I didn’t want to follow Jesus if that meant submitting to endless rules…

Pastoral ministry is a taxing assignment, no matter the size or context in which you are serving. Big or small, established or planted, urban or rural, each of these paradigms presents the pastor with a particular set of stresses and burdens that necessitate a holy dose of grace, humility, faith, and brotherhood. Notwithstanding what your ministry environment looks like…

Being at someone else's home, whatever the occasion, can be an intimidating experience. We want to put our best foot forward to be the perfect guest. We may not be sure of the customs and culture within that home, so we want to be careful not to overstep our bounds. What a relief it is when our host tells us to "make ourselves at home." Implied in that comment is that we are to consider the host's home our home…

“When I wake up in the morning, and the alarm gives out a warning, and I don't think I'll ever make it on time. By the time I grab my books and I give myself a look, I’m at the corner just in time to see the bus fly by.” This theme song from the 1990’s tv show Saved By the Bell captures the feeling most pastors experience each week…

Pastors need to be encouraged.

How does that statement strike you? Do you believe it’s true, even for you or your pastor?

Paul’s ministry in the book of Acts, and the testimony of his epistles, demonstrate the value of encouragement. The Apostle himself…

Growing up in Philadelphia, I would think of the endless possibilities of gospel influence that lay before me in a city of 1.5 million people! "Just think of the impact I can have with all these people being here,” I told myself. "After college, I'm coming back here to plant a church. The bigger the place, the bigger the impact.”

Well, God had other plans…