Speaker: Raphael Mnkandhla

Summary: In this session from the Brainerd Institute Conference, Raphael, drawing from his experiences in both large cities and a struggling rural church, passionately discusses the resilience required in pastoral ministry. Moving from Dallas to a near-abandoned church in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, he emphasizes the importance of maintaining an upward vision amid overwhelming circumstances. Anchoring his insights in Psalm 123, he stresses the power of hope, the importance of church history, and the necessity of a steadfast, faith-filled outlook. The speaker also shares inspiring historical examples of steadfast faith, encouraging pastors to rely on God’s sovereignty in their ministries.

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Speaker: Mike Miosi

Summary: In this session from the Brainerd Conference, Mike Miosi, director of Spread of Grace Ministries, shares his journey and passion for training pastors in remote villages to study, believe, and preach the Bible. He recounts his own transformative experience with expository preaching as a teenager and emphasizes its significance in revealing God's intent through Scripture. Mike outlines the roots, definition, and importance of expositional preaching, stressing its role in protecting sound doctrine and equipping the church. He concludes by illustrating how to practically implement this preaching style, highlighting its ability to encourage and grow congregations.

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Speaker: TJ Freeman

Summary: In this first session from the Brainerd Institute conference, TJ Freeman, discusses his journey from planting a church in warm, busy Southwest Florida to returning to rural Pennsylvania and feeling isolated. He shares how his initial depression and sense of being 'benched' transformed through a deeper understanding of God's plan for creation. The speaker emphasizes the significance of rural churches in God's plan, arguing that the collapse of rural America is a theological failure. He encourages pastors to recognize their vital role in lighting up these often overlooked areas and making God's glory known, thus contributing to a universal demonstration of God's glory.

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Hosts: TJ Freeman and Sean Demars

Summary: In this special crossover episode, TJ Freeman and Sean Demars discuss the complexities and rewards of rural ministry. They examine the role of the Brainerd Institute in supporting rural pastors and churches in underserved areas. They also explore questions around effective leadership, the importance of community, and how to maintain spiritual health in isolated regions. The episode concludes with practical guidance for church renewal and the significance of placing God's glory at the forefront of ministry efforts.

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Hosts: TJ Freeman, Joe Wagner, and Josh MacClaren

Summary: In this episode of Rural Church Renewal, Pastor TJ Freeman addresses the challenge of disengaged congregations. Sharing personal experiences from his ministry in Wellsboro, Pennsylvania, TJ offers practical advice for pastors on making sermons more engaging and accessible. He emphasizes understanding both the biblical text and the congregation's needs, providing strategies for using effective introductions, relatable illustrations, and persuasive arguments. TJ also highlights the importance of pastoral relationships and prayer in enhancing sermon impact. He encourages pastors to adapt and rethink their preaching methods for the spiritual growth and engagement of their congregation.

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Hosts: TJ Freeman, Joe Wagner, and Josh MacClaren

Summary: In this episode of Rural Church Renewal, TJ Freeman discusses the heavy burden and opposition faced by church leaders, especially in small, rural congregations. Sharing personal experiences from his ministry in Wellsboro, Pennsylvania, TJ offers practical advice on enhancing leadership culture through unhurried prayer, relational intimacy, and strategic decision-making. He emphasizes the importance of elder retreats as a powerful tool for fostering deeper relationships, investing in shared prayer time, and making wise, pressure-free decisions. TJ encourages leaders to view these challenges as opportunities for strategic growth rather than insurmountable obstacles.

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Hosts: TJ Freeman, Joe Wagner, and Josh MacClaren

Summary: In this episode of Rural Church Renewal, TJ Freeman emphasizes the role of church governing documents like bylaws, church covenants, and statements of faith in maintaining a healthy church. From personal stories about his own challenges in rural ministry, TJ shares practical advice on how to review, respect, and progressively update these documents for the benefit of the congregation. He underscores the importance of patience, strategic thinking, and working with church leadership to implement necessary changes while ensuring alignment with the Scriptures. Additionally, TJ invites listeners to upcoming resources and events aimed at supporting rural church leaders.

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Hosts: TJ Freeman, Joe Wagner, and Josh MacClaren

Summary: In this episode of Rural Church Renewal, host TJ Freeman welcomes Anthony Caiola to discuss the integration of counseling and discipleship within the church. They explore the importance of viewing counseling as part of disciple-making and share practical ways to equip church members for these responsibilities. Anthony emphasizes the necessity of pastors being emotionally and spiritually healthy themselves and offers insights into decentralizing pastoral care by empowering lay leaders. The conversation also touches on the unique challenges and opportunities in rural ministry, challenging listeners to break free from legalism and embrace authenticity for the sake of Christ's mission. 

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Hosts: TJ Freeman, Joe Wagner, and Josh MacClaren

Summary: In this episode of Rural Church Renewal, TJ addresses the frustrations of pastoring a church that resists leadership. He shares insights on staying committed, loving the congregation, and shepherding them willingly. Drawing from Charles Dickens' 'Great Expectations' and biblical passages, TJ emphasizes the importance of humility, patience, and enduring love for the church. He encourages pastors not to compare their leadership with others but to focus on faithful service. The episode also highlights the upcoming Rural Church Conference in Wellsboro, Pennsylvania, offering a chance for renewal and community. 

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Hosts: TJ Freeman, Joe Wagner, and Josh MacClaren

Summary: In this episode of Rural Church Renewal, TJ, Joe, and Josh discuss the impactful role of grace stories, or testimonies, in highlighting God's work within every church member. They emphasize the importance of guiding new converts to share clear and focused testimonies that spotlight Christ's transforming power. The conversation touches on the challenges and benefits of sharing personal stories in public and small group settings, aiming to glorify God ultimately. 

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Hosts: TJ Freeman, Joe Wagner, and Josh MacClaren

Summary: In this episode of Rural Church Renewal, hosts TJ, Joe, and Josh discuss the challenges of implementing change in rural churches. They highlight the importance of patience, understanding congregation dynamics, and pacing oneself. The episode offers personal anecdotes demonstrating how rushing changes can lead to resistance and emphasizes the value of building trust and slowly guiding congregations towards necessary reforms. The conversation also covers practical advice for rural pastors, such as framing expectations realistically and leading with wisdom and compassion.

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Hosts: TJ Freeman, Joe Wagner, and Josh MacClaren

Summary: In this episode of Rural Church Renewal, pastors TJ, Joe, and Josh discuss the urgent need for church planting and revitalization in rural areas, despite the challenges faced by struggling churches. They emphasize that God's mission includes bringing His glory to every corner, including remote places. They share personal experiences and scriptural insights to get rural pastors to consider multiplication as part of their ministry. The conversation covers practical steps for creating healthy church environments, the importance of prayer, and the power of local leadership in transforming their own communities. The hosts stress that while outside help is valuable, much of the transformative work will come from within these communities themselves.

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Hosts: TJ Freeman, Joe Wagner, and Josh MacClaren

Summary: In this episode of Rural Church Renewal, TJ, Joe, and Josh discuss the significance of deeply held convictions in driving church growth and health, rather than just following plans or models from large churches. They emphasize the importance of being motivated by biblical convictions and genuine love for Jesus and the congregation. Their conversation includes the pitfalls of envy and pragmatic approaches, advocating instead for aligning church activities with core convictions like spiritual fruit, stewardship, and spiritual giftedness. They conclude with the notion that real growth is a consequence of focusing on these biblical principles.

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Host: TJ Freeman

Summary: In this episode of Rural Church Renewal, TJ Freeman addresses the challenge of low congregation engagement in rural churches and the misconception that ministry work is solely the pastor's responsibility. He emphasizes the importance of equipping church members for ministry, as outlined in Ephesians 4, and discusses how to shift the consumeristic mindset prevalent in many congregations. TJ discusses the critical role of engaging, relevant preaching and persistent pastoral care to mobilize members for the advancement of Christ's kingdom. He also highlights the resources and training available through the Brainerd Institute for Rural Ministry to help pastors and church leaders foster a healthy, mission-focused church community. Including details on the upcoming Rural Ministry Conference on October 10-11 in Wellsboro, PA and the new Residency intensive. 

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Host: TJ Freeman

Summary: In this episode of Rural Church Renewal, TJ Freeman, a rural pastor, discusses the importance of praying before Sunday sermons. Whether you are the one preaching or not, taking time to pray for the ministry of the word in your church can make a significant impact. TJ shares his experience of arriving at a church where a group of elderly women regularly prayed for the service and its attendees, inspiring him to adopt this practice. He encourages forming a small group to pray for the sermon, the preacher, and the congregation. Additionally, TJ gives practical tips on topics to pray about. Upcoming events and updates from the Brainerd Institute for Rural Ministry are also mentioned, including a Rural Pastors Conference on October 10-11.

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Host: TJ Freeman

Summary: In this episode of Rural Church Renewal, Pastor TJ Freeman discusses the importance of recognizing who your church is accountable for. He shares his experience at Christ Church in Wellsboro, Pennsylvania, and emphasizes the need for healthy rural churches to glorify God. TJ explains that churches are responsible for two groups: their congregation and the local lost population. He offers practical advice on mapping out your community to ensure everyone has multiple opportunities to hear the gospel. TJ encourages churches to mobilize their members to actively spread God’s word and partner with other like-minded churches to cover their regions effectively.

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Host: TJ Freeman

Summary: In this episode of Rural Church Renewal, host TJ Freeman interviews his dear friend, Sam Hahn, about his experiences with ministry burnout and feeling abandoned by God. Sam, a former pastor who transitioned to missionary work in West Africa, shares his deeply personal story of struggling with depression, the loss of his father, and the difficulties of adapting to a new country and ministry role. Throughout the interview, Sam reveals how he found renewed intimacy with God through honest lament. He offers practical advice for ministers facing similar struggles and emphasizes the importance of trusting in God's faithfulness. The conversation underscores the value of vulnerability, community support, and spiritual resilience.

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Hosts: TJ Freeman & Josh MacClaren

Summary: In this episode, Pastor TJ Freeman and Pastor Joshua MacClaren, discuss the challenges and rewards of rural ministry, focusing on the importance of cultivating partnerships. They share personal experiences about feeling isolated and the steps taken to connect with other like-minded pastors and organizations. The conversation covers how partnerships can enhance ministry effectiveness, the benefits of learning from other church contexts, and practical steps to develop meaningful connections. TJ and Joshua also highlight their collaboration with organizations like ABWE and SCP to promote gospel-centered Antioch churches across North America and encourage rural pastors to take responsibility for their regions.

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Host: TJ Freeman

Summary: In this episode of Rural Church Renewal, TJ Freeman shares insights on making church leadership meetings spiritually enriching. Discussing his experiences with elders' meetings, TJ emphasizes the importance of incorporating spiritual practices like singing, scripture reading, and praying into meetings. He suggests ways to foster soul care among leaders through sharing about each other's lives and prayer. TJ advises church leaders to focus on spiritual matters alongside practical issues, ensuring meetings guide the church towards fulfilling the Great Commission and discipleship. Practical tips include starting meetings with worship and having members share personal updates, all aimed at building up a spiritually supportive leadership environment.

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Host: TJ Freeman

Summary: In this episode of Rural Church Renewal, TJ Freeman speaks on the unique value and role rural churches play in showcasing God's glory. TJ emphasizes that God is the one who established the church and that it serves a specific purpose in its community, however remote. He uses analogies like soccer positions to explain how each church must understand and take responsibility for its specific area, ensuring that the gospel is shared repeatedly within that region. TJ also discusses the importance of mobilizing church members for outreach, providing practical advice on how congregations can map their areas of accountability and engage effectively in evangelism. He concludes by encouraging church leaders and members to work together to make Christ known and invites listeners to connect through the Brainerd Institute for further support and resources.

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Hosts: TJ Freeman and Joe Wagner

Summary: In this episode of Rural Church Renewal, hosts TJ Freeman and Joe Wagner discuss the pivotal role of deacons in rural churches and provide practical advice on how to raise up qualified deacons. They highlight the importance of identifying and encouraging potential deacons based on biblical qualifications found in 1 Timothy 3, the need for prayerful consideration, and the value of both generalist and specialist deacons. They also touch upon the spiritual benefits and trust required in empowering deacons, and emphasize the need for a cooperative effort between elders and deacons to fulfill the church's ministry effectively.

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Hosts: TJ Freeman and Joe Wagner

Summary: In this episode of Rural Church Renewal, TJ Freeman and Joe discuss the power of equipping church members to care for one another through personal testimony and informal counseling. They explore how sharing grace stories, including struggles and triumphs, can foster a supportive community where members turn to each other for wisdom. The conversation emphasizes the biblical foundation for bearing one another's burdens and the need for pastors to actively disciple and prepare members to provide counsel. The hosts also share practical experiences and strategies for implementing this approach in small, rural churches.

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Hosts: TJ Freeman, Joe Wagner, and Josh MacClaren

Summary: In this episode, rural pastors TJ Freeman, Joshua McLaren, Joe Wagner, and guest Casey Nowlin discuss the challenge of managing pastoral responsibilities, focusing on creating effective goals and habits. Casey shares insights from his 16 years in ministry, emphasizing the importance of discipline and habitual practices grounded in Scripture for personal growth and effectiveness. They talk about practical ways to integrate habits like prayer, exercise, and time management into daily routines by using techniques like habit stacking. Casey and the hosts also explore particular challenges faced by rural pastors, such as balancing personal goals with community expectations and how to gently guide congregational changes without causing disruption.

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Host: TJ Freeman, Joe Wagner, and Josh MacClaren

Summary: In this episode of Rural Church Renewal, TJ Freeman, Joe Wagner, and Joshua McLaren discuss the value of not being isolated as rural pastors and the benefits of forming cohorts to enhance pastoral skills and spiritual growth. They recount their experience with the Simeon Trust, an organization aimed at improving preaching through collaborative workshops. The pastors share how they have organized local groups to work on sermon preparation and theological understanding, leading to stronger preaching and deeper camaraderie. The discussion emphasizes the importance of mutual support and continuous improvement in ministry.

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Host: TJ Freeman, Joe Wagner, and Josh MacClaren

Summary: In this episode of Rural Church Renewal, Pastor TJ Freeman focuses on the crucial task of preparing future church leaders. He discusses the decline of churches that fail to invest in leadership development and emphasizes that the Bible provides clear guidance on raising faithful, godly men. Drawing on Paul's instructions to Timothy, TJ stresses ongoing mentorship and hands-on ministry training. He shares personal anecdotes and challenges pastors to actively identify and nurture potential leaders in their congregations through consistent, faithful investment.

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