Another Luncheon

We had another great worship experience yesterday. before the service we were invited to go to someone's home on a spur of the moment lunch date. It was billed as nothing fancy, just burgers and chips. I readily agreed and texted Cindy to tell her our plans.

I was the last one out the door following worship and then we drove about 15 minutes to their home. It was very laid back. Dinner was still being prepared so we sat in the kitchen and chatted until it was done. It was a great meal and we sat around the table visiting for more than an hour and a half. Then we walked into the living room and visited for another hour.

You have to know, this is not me. In the past, like in my previous post, I was quick to decline and race home. I know though that this mentality is not going to work in the rural church. It is all about relationships. Also know, it is not like I am being tortured. I loved the company and the conversation. It was a great time of getting to know this family who are key figures in our church.

It reminds me of a kid who insists he hates vegetables until he finally tastes them and then finds what he has been missing out on all along. I have been a pastor for almost 20 years and just now starting to finally get it.

I guess I am slow, but I'm sure...

Governing Board

Last night I met with our team for our first Governing Board meeting together. I thought it could not have gone better. I was very impressed at how prepared the team was for our meeting. I have been to way too many meetings where people just walk through the door not even have brought an ink pen with them. This group was way different.

One of the things that I like to do at the beginning of each meeting is to go around the table and talk about what is going on in their neck of the woods in life as well as in ministry. Everyone had a lot to say. It was obvious that each person present had a burden for each of their ministries.

This is so important in the rural church for individuals to have the opportunity to verbalize and talk about how they are feeling and what is happening with them. People not only want to talk but they also deeply want to know that people are not only listening to them but also caring about what they are saying.

Being that this was our first meeting together I had a lot on my agenda. We were spending a lot of money on different things. There were some issues where we had an unknown amount of money that was going to be spent. On those issues I just informed the group of what I was thinking and tabled the decision until next month when I was able to give a more firm number. I know that this would probably not be a huge problem, but what I was trying to achieve was building trust. By waiting for another month on these issues it showed the group that I wanted to be completely vulnerable and transparent with them.

I felt that this was a very good and extremely positive step in the right direction for my ministry here in Battle Lake.

Vacation Bible School

This morning we began our yearly Vacation Bible School. We had 21 children come in from the area. What I understand is that only six of them are regulars from BLAC. That is pretty awesome. It sets the stage for growth in this area. Our church is an older church that wants to grow younger and they know that getting kids involved is the key.

What my church has done is to 'farm out' the help for VBS. They brought in a group called Inspiration Point to run the camp. This organization will charge a few hundred dollars (I guess) and have sent three college-aged students to come and run the camp. We provide leadership and oversight of the facility. We provide food for lunch and snacks. Other than that, the camp runs itself. This is a great option for small churches to be able to reach out to the youngsters in the community.

To help underwrite this we took a second offering during our worship service this past Sunday. We announced it in advance and allowed the congregation to participate in paying for this ministry by giving to it. I would typically frown on taking a second offering during worship, but in situations like this I think it is very crucial that the who church have the opportunity to buy into the vision.

Groups like Inspiration Point are a real God-send to the aging rural church...

Lazy Sunday Afternoon

We had a wonderful church service today. There were 90 people for worship including several guests. It is very hard to tell who is here for the weekend, who is here for the summer, and who is here for good. I will continue to minister to all and leave the details up to God. I began a new sermon series based on the 'GREAT' passages from the New Testament. I had a lot of positive feedback.

The thing that stood out to me for my 'RURAL' thought for the day was lunch after the service. We were invited by a couple to join them at a local diner for lunch following worship. In the past I would be quick to say no so that I could scurry home, eat a quick bite, turn on a game, and hold my recliner down for a couple of hours. That mentality won't work in a rural setting. Knowing that I am in a different setting I knew that it was important for me to take advantage of this situation. We had a lovely meal and talked for more than an hour getting to know this other couple.

After lunch I did find my recliner after all, and then I spent some time on the dock with my bride catching bass and sunnies. All in all it was a pretty solid day.

New Start

I have had my share of 'New Starts' over the years but hopefully this is the last. I am now pastoring in rural America, or more specifically, Battle Lake, MN. I am soooooo thrilled to be the pastor of this great church. There are so many things that have attracted me to this church. I will effort to begin blogging again regularly about this church, what I am doing, and even better yet...what God is doing!

Being a rural pastor suits me just fine. My goal is for this site to kind of evolve into a 'How-To' when it comes to pastoring a rural church. There are so many differences in rural and urban churches. In fact many differences from suburban, small town, ethnic, and a myriad of other categories when it comes to churches. I want to focus on the rural aspect. My prayer is that as I continue to learn and write that it will not only be a blessing to me, but will also be a blessing to others as well who are ministering in similar situations.

So if you would like to join this journey with me, feel free to follow the blog and give me some input. I'd truly appreciate it...