Rural Church Ministry & the Small Church Pastor

The heart of 200churches is to encourage pastors of small churches. When we started 200churches, we decided that we would not differentiate between denominations, debate theology, or define church governance modes – we could create blogs and podcasts for each – nor, within the content of our blog and podcast would we exclude women clergy. In our denomination, we do not ordain women as clergy or local church elders. That does not mean that we do not care about those women who are in pastoral roles in churches across America. In fact, we care deeply about every pastor who serves the Lord, loves the Word, and shepherds God’s people in the local church.

To that end we introduce you to Cynthia Moore, a pastor from Central Iowa. Cynthia pastors a small, rural church two miles down a gravel road between a corn field and a bean field. Just a little rural. She has pastored this church for the past twenty years. Cynthia joins us this week on the 200churches Podcast, episode 45!

Let me (Jeff) share with you my connection to Cynthia’s church. My oldest son has been dating a girl for over five years. She has attended this church all her life. Cynthia is the only pastor she has known. My son’s girlfriend is a wonderful, godly young lady. I thank Cynthia for the spiritual input she has had in her life! So Pastor Cynthia Moore is the first woman we’ve had on the podcast, but she is also the first rural pastor we’ve invited as a guest on the podcast.

Small church pastors experience unique challenges and church dynamics. Rural, small church pastors experience a context all their own. If you are a rural church pastor, you will resonate with this week’s podcast, and hopefully also be encouraged by it. You know, people who live in rural, lightly populated areas need pastors too, right? They need someone who sees their ministry not as a stepping stone, but as a significant work in the Kingdom of God!

While we’ve had guests from a larger church context, or a parachurch ministry, we also want to include small church pastors on the podcast. That is, after all, what we are – pastors of a 200church! We have a number of small church pastors in mind for future episodes, and for a very important reason – small church pastors have something to say! They have value to give. They have helpful and practical content to contribute to the conversation on small church ministry.

How about you, for instance? If you could share two things about small church ministry, that you believe would help and encourage other pastors, what would those two things be?

Well, you CAN share two things! Right in the comments below – go ahead, make our day! Hopefully someday we could get to have a conversation with you that we include on a future podcast episode.

And… we know that Wednesday’s podcast, episode 45, will encourage and challenge you as you join Jonny and me in our conversation with Cynthia Moore.