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
Aug 4, 2022 • 29min
The Rural Pastor Podcast – Episode 8 – People Follow Leaders Not Plans
People will follow leaders longer than they follow plans, but you need to be a leader worth following. Rural pastor, here are five ways to become that leader: Make good decisions love on people be vulnerable be honest lead fearlessly.
Jul 21, 2022 • 38min
The Rural Pastor Podcast – Episode 7 – Going Big With Vision
Explore the power of having a big vision in ministry and inspiring community impact. Learn about shifting from lag to lead measures in goal achievement and embracing a clear vision for spreading hope in rural communities.
Jul 14, 2022 • 31min
The Rural Pastor Podcast – Episode 6- The Reality of Relationship
The pastor leader also needs to be the pastor shepherd. The importance of understanding relationships and valuing their role in pastoring is even more important in the rural context. Join us for this discussion and get a game plan to negotiate the gurgling waters of relationships from Walmart to the church to the porch to […]
Jul 7, 2022 • 41min
The Rural Pastor Podcast – Episode 5 – On Biblical Preaching
The rural pastor is like any pastor, a sermon is due every Sunday morning! But when you’re bi-vocational and pulled in numerous directions what does your preparation schedule look like? How much focus should you put on presentation? And what’s the follow up, to make yourself better? Join us for a conversation with two practitioners […]
Jun 30, 2022 • 36min
The Rural Pastor Podcast – Episode 4 – The Reality of Scarce Resources
In this podcast, rural pastors discuss the challenges of limited resources and the importance of reaching rural communities. They share anecdotes of creative solutions and highlight the support provided by replanthub.com. The idea of empowering rural churches to help each other is explored, emphasizing the need for relationships and free resources. The hosts also express gratitude and provide their website as a resource for rural pastors.
Jun 23, 2022 • 53min
The Rural Pastor Podcast – Episode 3 – The Battle of Isolation
It is possible to feel alone in the midst of the crowd, and the problem is even more real for the rural pastor. Why? Because the isolation is often not just perceived, but it’s a reality. There are ways to connect and resources to use, but it will take an intentional practice on the part […]
Jun 16, 2022 • 40min
The Rural Pastor Podcast – Episode 2 – Vocational Identity
The podcast discusses the challenges rural pastors face and the different vocational identities they may have. It explores the concept of being co-vocational and highlights the value of a pastor's work, regardless of congregation size. The hosts also connect with a bluegrass band to create a song for rural servants. The episode ends with a prayer, encouragement for those in ministry, and a preview of the next episode on loneliness and isolation in rural areas.
May 30, 2022 • 23min
Rural pastor you are not alone
For ministry leaders serving in the difficult but needed work of the rural church. Too often you feel alone and under resourced, but you have a partner. Finding hope and sustainable rhythms in the ministry. This unique episode was recorded in front of a live audience at the NAMB (North American Mission Board) AMS Lab […]
