Small Town Ministry

John Cougar Mellancamp once said, well sang,   “I was raised in a small town, taught to fear Jesus in a small town. . .”

Small Town ministry often times gets a bad rap.  I believe small towns across the nation are the most ripe harvest fields for missional minded churches.  Here’s a few reasons why:

1.  Small Town folk have a large circle of close friends.  When you are trying to build a church on relationships, small town people have a dependency on friends and family that is not as prevalent in larger town settings.

2.  Small Towns are easier to be involved in.  I know our Mayor, city manager, and several other officials personally.  It is easy to be involved in city council, chamber of commerce, and even access to the schools is easier to come by.

3.  Most small towns do not have a contemporary, missional church in them.  If you live in a small town and want to attend a more progressive church many times you must drive several miles into a larger community.

4.  Small town people are loyal.  Once you have them, for the most part, you have them.  Because of their sense of community, small town people are eager to plug in and help.

5.  Today’s small town is tomorrow’s giant suburb.  Thinking long term, most small towns on the outskirts of a larger city will eventually become a larger suburban area.  By planting a church and gaining influence now, your church could help shape the future look of that community.

 

I’m sure there are lots of other great reasons to look at small town ministry.  Small town does not, however, mean podunk.  Excellence is expected and required in all aspect of society.

Ministry Of Elitists

Some things bug me.

Gnats irritate me.  My wife’s dog drives me crazy!  I refuse to pull forward at McDonald’s one more time to wait for my order.  But, more than that, I get very annoyed at the elitist mentality I see in many Ministers of the Gospel.

Not all, mind you.  Some of the most humble people I know are ministers, but so are some of the most conceited.  Not that ministers don’t deserve to be taken care of and respected, they should, but that respect should not be demanded.  Instead it should be earned.

If you want to be called Pastor, spend more time pastoring than you do figuring out how to get people to call you pastor.

If you want to be called Doctor or Doc, first, go to school and earn a PhD. Then serve people until they voluntarily give you a title of respect.

I’ve been called alot of things.  Some good, some bad.  What I desire is to be called is Friend.

Friend of God.

Friend of Sinners.

Recognition while good, should not be our goal.  Though we should strive to be the best, we should watch what we are being best at.

Me, I think my new desire is to be the best unknown servant I can be.

I’m Going Home!

After 2 nights in the hospital with my wife, we are going home today.  God is so good.  The surgery went better than expected and she is recovering nicely.  Thanks to everyone for your prayers!

What am I doing?

I ask myself that question alot.  I may be staring at a computer screen, driving, or just walked into the next room, when suddenly I stop and ask myself “What am I doing?”

What a Sunday!

This mornings Worship Experience was one of the most powerful services I have ever been a part of.  There was an excitement as soon as the music started, like there was an expectation that this wasn’t going to be just another service.

Easter!

Life is crazy!  It seems like every time you think you have it figured out something changes.  You think things are getting predictable, then all of a sudden something takes you by surprise.

Tackling The Call to Reach People

Many times when you ask about callings you get very specific answers.  “I’m called to preach” or “I’m called to be a Pastor” or “I’m called to Lead Worship,” and though I feel called to all those things, what drives me is my call in it’s simplest form.  The call of Christ on my life to “make disciples of all peoples” or to simply reach people.

 So many times in our passion to follow after our specific calling we can become so absorbed that we lose sight of our simple calling.  We can become so enamored by the vocation of ministry that it slowly takes the place of our personal mission, to reach those around us.  I was encouraged yesterday when I talked to a friend of mine, Rob Bailey,  who serves as the State Youth and Christian Education Director for the Church of God in Texas.

Funny Things Happened In Tennessee

Thought you might like to hear a couple of stories I shared with Discover Church about my trip to Tennessee.

I’m so glad to be back.

Apparently the camera guy was dosing off at first.

Engage 21 Conference

I’m back in the hotel after the first night of Engage 21.  The Open Mic forum was kind of a cool concept but mics sometimes end up in the wrong hands.  The question posed to the delegates was how to recognize and affirm emerging leaders.  Unfortunately it kind of turned into a whine fest about people not being recognized.  I’m not so much worried about being recognized or affirmed as I am about being equipped.

I have officially caved to the peer pressure!

I’m not exactly sure why, but I felt compelled to start my own blog.  Maybe it was just because everyone else seemed to have one.  I’m sure I’ll have some important things to write about at some point, but right now I’m still trying to figure out how it all works.