Who Cares About the Rural Church?

Rural Pastors Talk

Rural Pastors Talk
Who Cares About the Rural Church?
Feb 12, 2026 Season 6 Episode 1
TJ Freeman, Joe Wagner, & Josh MacClaren

Rural Pastors Talk is back!

In this Season 6 premiere of the Rural Pastors Talk podcast, we’re asking: What ever happened to Rural Pastor’s Talk?

This episode is gives us the opportunity to “un-rebrand.” And with it comes a renewed commitment to the health of the rural church. We talk honestly about why RPT rebranded, what we hoped to accomplish, why we’re changing back, and what we believe is at stake for pastors serving Christ faithfully in rural places. Beneath the humor and banter is a clear conviction: the rural church is not a stepping stone, a training ground, or God’s penalty box. As long as Christ’s people live in rural communities, Jesus intends a vibrant, healthy, multiplying church to be there.

This episode of Rural Pastors Talk is for rural pastors, small-church leaders, bivocational ministers, elders, and anyone who cares about the long-term strength of churches in rural America. We pray this episode helps encouage as you pursue faithfulness in your small, country church. 

In this episode, we discuss:
 • Why Rural Pastors Talk is back
 • Why we rebranded—and why we’re changing back again
 • Why healthy rural churches matter for the advance of Christ’s Kingdom
 • A practical book recommendation rural pastors can actually use
 • A  quote from John Wesley to keep us from being too fleshly
 • Plus some banter—including the important question you’ll have to tune in to hear!

Book recommendation for rural pastors:
📘 What’s Best Next by Matt Perman
A theologically grounded vision for productivity that roots joyful, effective work in the doctrine of justification and love for others.

Quote featured in this episode:
“Do all the good you can,
By all the means you can,
In all the ways you can,
In all the places you can,
At all the times you can,
To all the people you can,
As long as ever you can.” — John Wesley

If you’re serving in rural ministry, leading a small church, or laboring faithfully in a place that feels overlooked, this episode sets the tone for Season 6 and reminds us why the rural church is worth giving our lives to.

👉 Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a rural pastor who needs encouragement. Your support helps strengthen healthy rural churches for the glory of Christ.

Episode Artwork Who Cares About the Rural Church? 21:53 Episode Artwork Brainerd Conference Day Two: Closing Sermon, Sean Demars 41:48 Episode Artwork Brainerd Conference Session 5 – Raphael Mnkandhla: The Kingdom Advancing in Forgotten Places 49:19 Episode Artwork Brainerd Conference Session 4 - Mike Miosi: Shepherding & Healthy Teams in Rural Contexts 54:01 Episode Artwork Brainerd Conference Day Two: Morning Sermon, Sean Demars 48:38 Episode Artwork Brainerd Conference Day One: Evening Sermon, Sean DeMars 43:28 Episode Artwork Brainerd Conference Session 3 – Raphael Mnkandhla: Church History & Rural Witness 47:12 Episode Artwork Brainerd Conference Session 2 – Mike Miosi: Expositional Preaching & Listening 58:01 Episode Artwork Brainerd Conference Session 1 - God’s Plan A for Creation: A Theology of Place 45:03 Episode Artwork Room For Nuance Crossover Episode! 1:19:44 Episode Artwork What if the Congregation Doesn’t Like Your Preaching? 13:20 Episode Artwork Is the Weight of Leadership Crushing You? 17:08 Episode Artwork Are Church Constitutions Biblical? 25:14 Episode Artwork Would Ministry Be Easier Without People? 35:47 Episode Artwork How to Handle a Frustrating Church 14:59 Episode Artwork Testimonies — A Good Idea? 14:19 Episode Artwork How Soon Should You Make Changes? 24:31 Episode Artwork Should Your Rural Church Plant? 25:26 Episode Artwork What’s Driving You? 29:40 Episode Artwork Are Your People Bored at Church? 17:05 Episode Artwork Are You Neglecting This Church Responsibility? 7:50 Episode Artwork Is Your Church Responsible for Your Community? 14:14 Episode Artwork When You Feel Abandoned by God 23:51 Episode Artwork Making Friends in the Middle of Nowhere 16:20 Episode Artwork How to Shepherd the Leaders in Your Church 9:59