Conference Recordings Books for Purchase Book Recommendations
(Click on titles to open links.)
Planting Churches in Small Places
David Pinckney (RHMA Small-Town Pastors’ Conference speaker) and Paul Gordon share from their experiences as church planters in the small towns of New England.
Ministry in Rural Communities
Executive Director Ron Klassen discusses the unique spiritual needs and dynamics of ministry in rural communities
Smarter Rural Ministry
Marty Giese (a professor in RHMA’s TACT program and president of Oak Hills Christian College) reminds us that our cultural assumptions will affect our effectiveness.
Small Town, Big God
RHMA Conference speakers Don Carson, Collin Hansen, and Stephen Witmer join in a podcast conversation.
People Aren’t Projects
. . . and other lessons I learned as a rural pastor.
Why Current Church Trends Mean Very Little in Smaller Churches
Small church specialist (and RHMA conference speaker) Karl Vaters reminds us that “small church ministry isn’t about following trends, it’s about knowing people.” It’s a quick read and to the point. And a good reminder!
Using Images in Application
RHMA missionary kid Dr. Steve Mathewson (his dad was our General Director, 1966-1984) gives preachers and teachers some helpful tips on application.
The Church’s Urban Focus Overlooks Working-Class Whites
Working-class white communities, rural areas, and small towns must be included in the American Christian mission . . . areas that are affected by brokenness of the Fall, where the Devil is busy, where God’s people are, and where there is a need for salt and light.
7 Reasons to Consider a Small Church Internship
Small churches have unique characteristics, quirks, and blessings that can only be learned by having ministry experience in them. (Karl Vaters)
5 Simple Steps to Recruit Volunteers in a Small Church
Simple steps in dealing with a not-so-simple problem!
Three Reasons Rural Churches Matter More Than You May Think
Redefining “unreached people groups.”
“Small Church Pastors Should Quit”
Author (and small church specialist) Karl Vaters says, “I’ve always known that Mondays are hard for pastors. I now have direct evidence that they can be especially hard for small church pastors.”
Don’t Hate on Rural Ministry
“Since our world is becoming more urban, there is an undeniably strategic need for healthy gospel churches in cities. . . . Nevertheless, just because cities matter does not mean they matter more.” A city pastor and a small-town pastor discuss the importance of ministry in both.
In It for the Long Haul
Lee Eclov was longtime pastor of Village Church of Lincolnshire, Illinois, and is a seminar leader for RHMA Small-Town Pastors’ Conferences. He wrote “In It for the Long Haul” for Leadership Journal. Perhaps you can relate with Lee when he says, “I love being a pastor and I serve a gracious church, but this is a brutal business. I’ve been at it for 35 years, so I know what people mean when they say, ‘No hurt hurts quite like church hurt.'”
It’s Okay for Kids to Be Bored During Church
Melissa Edgington, a pastor’s wife, writes, “Not everything at church has to be a big show or a major production. Let’s stop living in fear of our kids having a single moment of boredom. Take them to church. Let them sit. See how the truths they hear work their way into tiny hearts. And watch God work through the preaching of His word.” Read more here . . .
Eight Reasons Why Some Fulltime Pastors and Staff Should Go Bivocational
Some pastors are bivocational by necessity while others are bivocational by choice. This article offers some advantages of being a bivocational pastor.
Why Villages Matter: How the Church Died in North Africa, but survived in Egypt
An article on the Church overseas with implications for us in rural America!
A pastor’s wife comes to value small-town ministry.
You Won’t Waste Your Life
An encouragement for those considering small-town ministry.
I’m a Rural Pastor! What Now?
Do not make any changes in the first year!
In the spirit of We’re-all-in-this-together, we encourage you to read (and share) this from Brian Wechsler, longtime Executive Director of Village Missions, a ministry similar to ours.
TACT Program
3 out of 4 graduates seeking a pastorate will find themselves in a small-town or country church ... Are you prepared?
