The Four Most Difficult Decisions for a Rural Pastor

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?

[from MMI Weblog]