So often Jonathan and I had to rely on God’s Spirit for discernment in those moments of ministry and in the building of relationships. We feel blessed by the authentic relationships that were forged, but we know that so many couples are not given the same kind of respect, grace and “permission” to be less than perfect.
After COVID everything will change, because everything already has changed. With COVId-19 rocking the world, many rural congregations are getting creative like never before…
When winter weather hits, how should your church respond, particularly if you are in a small town? The tips that follow would also serve urban churches well, but these are especially critical in small rural counties.
I just ditched my entire sermon for tomorrow. Charlottesville demands it. Two hours from where I sit, Nazis, KKK clansmen, anarchists, socialist militants, and southern secessionists have clashed all day in the city of Charlottesville, Virginia. As I watch in horror and sorrow, and pray earnestly for clergy colleagues in the mix, I can’t help but wonder – “What if it was my town?”
In rural ministry, which for many can seem like a wilderness experience, there are unique temptations that persist no matter how many times you’ve battled them. Jesus was tempted in three ways at the outset of his ministry. There are three major temptations that rural ministers and churches face…