The Four Most Difficult Decisions for a Rural Pastor

Posted on May 24, 2010
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In his new book, Transforming Church in Rural America, Shannon O'Dell share his heart and passion for small-town America's thousands of churches, and the pastors who lead them. Shannon shares a powerful vision of relevance, possibility, and excellence for small churches across the country, and it's a great read if you find yourself pastoring a small church in a tiny community.

In the book, Shannon lists what he thinks are the Four Most Difficult Decisions for a Rural Pastor:

1. To Pastor in Rural America... with low incomes, low resources, and low expectations.

2. To reach the lost and unchurched. Most people say they want to reach the lost... until they do and then the church starts changing.

3. To equip the church with accurate and healthy structure... change bylaws, constitutions, and church policy as necessary.

4. To remove "Holy Cows" to be more effective... such as pews, property, and people.

I've served in my share of small, rural churches. I think Shannon is right on. Many small churches are stuck. Many are stuck in a structure that is literally a hundred years old. Many small churches say they want to reach the lost, but when people start coming to Christ and the status quo of the church changes, all of a sudden they're not quite as excited about it.

If you serve in a rural church, I really think this book will help you. And, New Leaf Press has agreed to give one in every ten people who comment on this post a FREE copy of Shannon's book. All you need to do is go here!

If you're the pastor of a rural church, what do you think is the HARDEST part of the job?

Todd

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Comments

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Chad Payne on Mon, May 24, 2010

I have pastored a rural church for eleven years, and although our church is fairly progressive for a rural setting, I do find these four characteristics pop up from time to time. Issues tend to arise more from those who have been in church for a long time. The longer they sit, the more they want to play it safe. It’s human nature, to be sure, but it can be very frustrating when as a pastor you have a desire to see a town transformed.
John on Mon, May 24, 2010

I live in a rural area I affectionately describe as 2 parts “Mayberry”, 2 parts “Green Acres”, and 1 part “Cheers” (everybody knows your name, plus a few other reasons). All four of Shannon’s decisions ring true with my experience. I once read that rural church folks may not mind you bringing in ideas from the city churches as long as you don’t tell them that’s where you got the ideas. I look forward to reading O’Dell’s thoughts on the subject. Might this be a book that would be beneficial for the lay leaders to read as well, or would it be TMI?
Eric Nygren on Mon, May 24, 2010

One of the hardest things (which I am sure is true in any sized church) is to help people understand what the pastor’s role is beyond a narrow list of expectations. All including the pastor need to be on the same page as to why he is here and what he is going to lead us to do.
dw embry on Tue, May 25, 2010

I love rural churches. I currently serve as a fill in lay pastor for the church I attend as well as other rural churches in the area. The people in my congregation are the most loving thoughtful people I know. My biggest problem I say is being on my toes in my studies of the Bible because we have several well versed people here. My view in pastoring a small church is that I know the congregation and they know me. I am on call for them anytime. I feel that serving a church where you can know and visit all your congregation in a day or week is best in reaching others in the community. I mean more people I think attend there because they are told by the members that the staff there is accessible for any need.
eb on Tue, May 25, 2010

The book sounds right on! We are in an area with an influx of tourists, but the actual core of this community is a small town. I think the book would help us.
Bob on Tue, May 25, 2010

My wife and I have been helping out with a church plant in a rural area. It’s nice a big town is 30 minutes away, but I definitely see how the small town - small expectations bug is hitting. We run 125, and the 150+ year old Baptist church runs 60. Not that it’s about the numbers, but we’re constantly seeking ways to make Christ relevant to new Christians and their lives.
Becky on Tue, May 25, 2010

Removing the holy cows is one of the biggest challenges because they have family names on them and those families remain within the rural communities for generations.
Bob Moore on Tue, May 25, 2010

I live and work (Pastoring) in a small town by choice. I have been in large churches and find it is a different ball game. My wife and I decided to Pastor a small country church. We love the people and plan to stay until Jesus calls us home to him. I basiclly have to do everything except the books. I clean and do worship and many other chores. I would not change it. God is starting to bring this church family together like never before. Church is about 25yrs old and not without problems like many others. I receive only a small expence account for my pay. I am retired with small income. I would’t trade what I am doing because I am (according to the people) making a difference in their lives.
chip Sanders on Tue, May 25, 2010

I pastor in a small town. One of the hardest things is being willing to commit to pastoring one church for a long time. A pastor I know who leads a church in a tiny town has said that perseverance + integrity = credibility. There are no short cuts.
Edward R on Wed, June 02, 2010

I pastor a small church of about 20 in a rural community and agree with the four observations. My biggest challenge is to get more members involved in our monthly evangelism campaigns. Most of the members would llike to see growth but are hesitant on inviting friends and family members. This may be true at larger churches as well.
Jim Kinnebrew on Sat, October 09, 2010

A danger and difficulty that I have not yet seen mentioned (maybe I missed it) is the difficulty rural pastors often have sustaining their own vision and motivation in the context of apathy and inaction among the stagnant and self-contented parishioners who have never known anything else. If the pastor is fortunate enough to have a fellow minister in the area who can be trusted not to betray confidences and not to see him as “the competition,” he is very blessed and should use his blessings well. Mentorship done via social networking, blogs, etc. is a help as well. A good helpmate and a consistent devotional life and witnessing are indispensible.
Richard Hatcher on Mon, January 17, 2011

It is very possible that I am going to be called to be a part-time pastor for a rural church that has about 40-45 in attendance. The core of the church is composed of one family who has been a part of the church for generations. I have pastored full-time churches for the past 36 years. I am trying to learn all I can about pastoring the small rural church. I know it will be very differenct from what I am accustomed to. I think I will be confronted with making a decision within the next month.