The Rural Pastor Podcast
Andy Addis & Mark Clifton
The Rural Pastor Podcast knows that isolation, low resources and vocational identity are three heavy weights hanging heavy on the rural church leader and we want to help you move from surviving to thriving. It is designed to be a kitchen table conversation between you and real-time practitioners who've done rural ministry for years. Our desire is to affirm the role that you play whether it's full-time part-time or somewhere in between, and to share with you a variety of resources that will make your life and ministry easier. -
Isolation & Loneliness in Ministry rural pastor loneliness, pastoral isolation, ministry burnout, lonely pastor support, isolated church leader, community for pastors, connect rural pastors
Burnout / Fatigue / Stress pastor burnout recovery, ministry fatigue, stressed pastor, overwhelmed pastor, emotional health for pastors, self-care for church leaders
Bivocational / Financial Struggles bivocational pastor support, pastors with day job, low income pastor, financial stress ministry, ministry with limited resources
Feeling stuck / stuck ministry stuck in ministry, stuck pastor season, ministry stuck point, no resources church, under-resourced church leadership
Renewal / Revival / Hope spiritual renewal for pastors, revival for rural churches, hope for exhausted pastor, renewing passion ministry, ministry refresh
Creative ideas / innovation creative ministry ideas, church innovation rural, fresh ministry strategies, creative outreach small church, novel ministry methods
Biblical / Theological Anchoring biblical solutions for pastors, theology for ministry, doctrine for church leaders, scriptural guidance for pastors, biblical leadership
Community / Connection / Engagement church leader community, peer support pastors, connecting rural churches, pastor network, ministry collaboration
Growth & Opportunity growth for small church, opportunities in rural church, expanding small church ministry, multiplying ministry in low resource areas
Wellbeing & Renewal spiritual, emotional, physical health pastors, rest and renewal ministry, balancing life & ministry, rejuvenation for church leaders
“how to avoid pastor burnout in small towns”
“encouragement for rural pastors feeling alone”
“ministry ideas for under-resourced churches”
“bivocational pastor encouragement podcast”
“renewal and hope for exhausted pastors”
“creative outreach for small town churches”
“biblical answers for struggling church leaders”
“theology for everyday ministry challenges”
“finding community as an isolated pastor”
“ways to reboot your pastoral passion”
“leading a church with hardly any resources”
“surviving small church ministry”
“how to pastor when you feel stuck”
“hope and revival in rural ministry”
“practical theology for rural pastors”
“support for stressed pastors”
“ministry ideas for weary church leader”
“renew your calling as pastor”
“pastoral care in rural contexts”
“how to grow a small church in rural area”
Isolation & Loneliness in Ministry rural pastor loneliness, pastoral isolation, ministry burnout, lonely pastor support, isolated church leader, community for pastors, connect rural pastors
Burnout / Fatigue / Stress pastor burnout recovery, ministry fatigue, stressed pastor, overwhelmed pastor, emotional health for pastors, self-care for church leaders
Bivocational / Financial Struggles bivocational pastor support, pastors with day job, low income pastor, financial stress ministry, ministry with limited resources
Feeling stuck / stuck ministry stuck in ministry, stuck pastor season, ministry stuck point, no resources church, under-resourced church leadership
Renewal / Revival / Hope spiritual renewal for pastors, revival for rural churches, hope for exhausted pastor, renewing passion ministry, ministry refresh
Creative ideas / innovation creative ministry ideas, church innovation rural, fresh ministry strategies, creative outreach small church, novel ministry methods
Biblical / Theological Anchoring biblical solutions for pastors, theology for ministry, doctrine for church leaders, scriptural guidance for pastors, biblical leadership
Community / Connection / Engagement church leader community, peer support pastors, connecting rural churches, pastor network, ministry collaboration
Growth & Opportunity growth for small church, opportunities in rural church, expanding small church ministry, multiplying ministry in low resource areas
Wellbeing & Renewal spiritual, emotional, physical health pastors, rest and renewal ministry, balancing life & ministry, rejuvenation for church leaders
“how to avoid pastor burnout in small towns”
“encouragement for rural pastors feeling alone”
“ministry ideas for under-resourced churches”
“bivocational pastor encouragement podcast”
“renewal and hope for exhausted pastors”
“creative outreach for small town churches”
“biblical answers for struggling church leaders”
“theology for everyday ministry challenges”
“finding community as an isolated pastor”
“ways to reboot your pastoral passion”
“leading a church with hardly any resources”
“surviving small church ministry”
“how to pastor when you feel stuck”
“hope and revival in rural ministry”
“practical theology for rural pastors”
“support for stressed pastors”
“ministry ideas for weary church leader”
“renew your calling as pastor”
“pastoral care in rural contexts”
“how to grow a small church in rural area”
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jun 10, 2025 • 44min
The Rural Pastor Podcast – Episode 68 – Spanish Language Ministry in Rurality
Join Pastors Andy Addis and David Quiroa for a much needed discussion on an often overlooked topic: the need for a Spanish=language focused rural ministry. It’s not always about strategy, but always about the heart. Check out NAMB Spanish resources here: Resources via NAMB Check out David’s podcast here: Revive Podcast
Apr 16, 2025 • 28min
The Rural Pastor Podcast – Episode 67 – Creative, Easy & Free
Discover creative and free ways to elevate Easter services with engaging activities. The hosts share unique methods to involve congregations through storytelling and call-and-response techniques. Exciting concepts like a funeral-style service for Good Friday could change the usual format. Personal testimonies and interactive readings aim to strengthen community ties. Plus, there's heartfelt encouragement for rural pastors facing their unique challenges, emphasizing the importance of their vital role in small church communities.
Mar 27, 2025 • 28min
The Rural Pastor Podcast – Episode 66 – Preaching Prep
Explore the joys and challenges of sermon preparation for rural pastors, blending family life with ministry. Discover the importance of prayer and a structured approach to crafting impactful messages. Hear humorous stories about overcoming dyslexia during preaching. Embrace the need for flexibility and openness to the Holy Spirit in your preparations. Tune into strategies that enhance preaching techniques and foster collaboration among rural church leaders. Better preparation can truly lead to a more fulfilling life and ministry.
Mar 20, 2025 • 43min
The Rural Pastor Podcast – Episode 65 – The Rural Pastor’s Wife
A very special episode, recorded live at The NAMB Replant Rural Summit in Salina, Ks. Join Pastor Andy Addis with three very special guests. pastor wives Kathy Addis, Haley Addis and Kelly Jones. These ladies represent long term ministry to just getting started, and their take on life in the ministry household is worth the […]
Mar 13, 2025 • 28min
The Rural Pastor Podcast – Episode 64 – Defining Rurality
Join pastors, Andy Addis and Danny Payne for a discussion on how to define rurality. Once we know how to define it then we can use the term, speak the same language, and accomplish the same goals. What if rural wasn’t defined by size or space, but by a mentality… that would be a […]
Mar 7, 2025 • 34min
The Rural Pastor Podcast – Episode 63 – The Battle Of Isolation
Join pastors Andy Addis and Danny Payne as they discuss one of the big monsters facing rural ministry: isolation. The biblical solution to overcoming this very real problem in ministry is to recognize the problem, change your mindset, and then take some real steps. If you want to take it a step further, join […]
Feb 6, 2025 • 28min
The Rural Pastor Podcast – Episode 62 – The Armor Of God
Kathy Addis, a passionate advocate for faith and ministry, joins her husband Andy at the Rest For Your Soul Leadership Conference. They delve into the importance of spiritual security for pastors and the transformative practice of wearing the Armor of God. Kathy emphasizes the belt of truth and the breastplate of righteousness as crucial elements for moral integrity. They highlight the power of scripture as an essential weapon in spiritual battles, encouraging listeners to integrate these practices into their daily lives for greater resilience.
Jan 30, 2025 • 24min
The Rural Pastor Podcast – Episode 61 – getting ready for Easter
Join Andy, Addis and Danny Payne for a discussion on getting ready for Easter. It may be early, but it’s never TOO early to prepare for one of the most influential and impactful days on the church calendar.
Jan 23, 2025 • 30min
The Rural Pastor Podcast – Episode 60 – Defining Rural
Explore the unique mindset that defines rurality, transcending mere geography. Learn how unusual weather affects small churches and the importance of online giving. Delve into the distinct challenges faced by rural pastors, drawing inspiration from the prophet Jeremiah. Discover the often-overlooked significance of rural ministry and its vital role in communities. Challenge common stereotypes and celebrate the hard work and spirit of rural America, advocating for a richer understanding of these vibrant, mission-focused areas.
Jan 16, 2025 • 25min
The Rural Pastor Podcast – Episode 59 – Capitalizing on the new year
Andy Addis and Danny Payne discuss using routine to capitalize on the new year. Start it, join it, or break it. Use routine as a way to take your ministry further! Here is a resource promised on the podcast for a year-long New testament reading plan: https://crosspointchurch.com/readingplan
