How to Plant a Church in a Rural Area: What Works and What Does Not
Most church planting resources are written for urban and suburban contexts. Here is what actually works when you are planting in a rural area — and what will get you in trouble.
Church Leadership
Church leadership. Articles and resources for pastors and lay leaders on leading small and rural churches effectively.
When to Refer: A Pastors Guide to Knowing When Someone Needs Professional Counseling
Knowing when to refer is one of the most important skills a pastor can develop. Here is how to recognize when someone needs more than pastoral care and how to make the referral well.
How to Build a Small Church Hospitality System That Actually Retains Visitors
Most small churches are friendly but not hospitable. Friendliness is a feeling. Hospitality is a system. Here is how to build one that actually retains visitors.
How to Lead a Small Church Through Generational Change
Every small church eventually faces generational change. Here is how to lead it well — honoring what has been while making room for what is coming.
The Small Church Newsletter: How to Write One People Actually Read
Most church newsletters are not read. Here is how to write one that is — with the right format, the right content, and the right frequency for a small congregation.
Rural Mental Health Ministry: How Small Churches Can Fill the Gap
Rural communities have a mental health crisis and almost no professional resources. Here is how a small church can fill the gap without overstepping what it can offer.
How to Set Boundaries as a Bi-Vocational Pastor Without Feeling Guilty
Bi-vocational pastors who cannot set boundaries will burn out. Here is how to set them clearly, communicate them well, and stop feeling guilty about having them.
Elder Qualifications in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1: What They Actually Mean for Small Churches
The elder qualifications in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 are not a checklist. They are a portrait of a mature Christian. Here is what each qualification actually means and how to apply it in a small church.
How a Small Church Can Partner with Its Local School
The local school is one of the most strategic community partnerships a small church can build. Here is how to approach it, what to offer, and how to make it work long-term.
What a Church Membership Covenant Should Actually Say
Most church membership covenants are either too vague to mean anything or too long for anyone to read. Here is what a membership covenant should actually say and why each element matters.