Rural Ministry

The Disturbing Temptations of Pastoring in Obscurity

Leaving the limelight didn’t heal my pride; it only disguised it.

People Aren’t Projects

…and other lessons I learned as a rural pastor.

Smarter Rural Ministry

Your cultural assumptions will affect your effectiveness.

Bluegrass Church

How an unlikely church plant thrived by embracing Appalachian culture.

Big Fish & Small Towns

The surprising benefits of ministry in out-of-the-way places.

Pastor, I'm having a little problem with a friend. I'm wondering if you'd have a chat with him.

Peacemaking Warring Friends

First, let me ask, Rev. Farlow: Are you under a lot of stress?

Doctor Notices Pastor’s Stress

Billlustrations

Despite his increasing frustration, Pastor Grant was not going to publicly reverse his open-door policy.

Interrupted Pastor Strikes Back

They're “casting lots” to see who goes with the junior high kids to camp.

Pastors Avoid Youth Camp

Okay, let's all stand, turn to our neighbors, and tell them if we wear boxers or tight whites.

Youth Pastor Leading Worship

You'll be responsible for developing spiritual maturity among our young people, who are the future of this church. We also need you to drive the van.

Youth Pastor’s Responsibilities

The new youth director gets his first lesson in “ownership of ideas.”

Casting Youth Group Vision

Gee, Dad, you look great! The youth ministry sure seems to agree with you!

Youth Ministry Revitalizes Pastor

We could have been a bit hasty in putting Schwartz in charge of the ushers.

Head Usher Assumes Authority

I see our pastor and youth director are in a staff meeting.

Pastor and Youth Pastor Relationships

Youth Minister’s Name…in Chalk

Dave McCasland and Rob Suggs

Pastor Dan begins to consider seriously the suggestion to hire a youth director.

Pastor Flops at Youth Ministry

I assure you I'd make a fine director of Christian education. I've held that position in several previous lives.

Preserving Doctrine in Christian Education

I'd like to answer charges that I'm inaccessible.

Inaccessible Pastor’s Fortress

It's hard to be honest when...you have no plans for the weekend, and your youth director asks if you would pleeeeease fill in for an absentee chaperone at the lock-in.

Youth Test Pastor’s Honesty