Small Town Summit

Introduce myself

Goal of this breakout session:

To give practical guidance that helps pastors be more Kingdom Minded, and to fellowship together for Kingdom advancement.

Identify some common problems

Establish a Kingdom vision

When thinking about joining or forming a new pastor’s fellowship, who should you bring to the table?

Discussions what affect the soul-health of a pastor.

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As we look at some of the problems we see in ourselves and in many small town pastors, we need to be able to admit right of the bat.... SOMETHING NEEDS TO CHANGE.

The lonely pastor (isolation)

What are some circumstances that generally lead to loneliness or isolation in the life of a pastor?

neglect

abandonment

ridicule from members or other pastors

Can loneliness also be purely self inflicted?

The introverted pastor needs to work extra hard to come out of their shell, to be exposed to the life-giving affects of fellowship and friendship.

1 Kings 9:9-10 There he came to a cave and lodged in it. And behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 10 He said, “I have been very jealous for the LORD, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.”

A small town pastor can easily find himself feeling as though he is the only one left, and many are seeking to take his life.

2. Stagnant ministries

This is a common problem, and many pastors unfortunately are not often willing to so what is necessary to shock the system back to life with a Kingdom-minded mission. I trust that is not the case here, otherwise you would not be here caring about ministry in small towns. So we will leave this one there.

Another common one

3. Heavy Burdens

What are our common ministry burdens?

The main point of identifying these burdens in the context of a Kingdom is to admit that we need brothers to hold our arms up.

Numbers 11:14-15 “I am not able to carry all this people alone; the burden is too heavy for me. If you will treat me like this, kill me at once, if I find favor in your sight, that I may not see my wretchedness.”

Are there pastors in your town or community that you trust, or could rely on to hold up your arms, and you theirs?

#4 Lack of intentionality

I noticed this one quite a bit during COVID when I visited a pastor’s fellowship. Hebrews 10:24 tells all Christians to CONSIDER how to stir one another up to love and good works, and if this is true for Christians in general, then this is true for pastors. How much do you consider, on a weekly basis, how you might stir up the faith of another likeminded pastor within a 30 mile radius of your church?

2. Establishing a Kingdom vision

This will be a shorter section, but it’s important in the overall conversation of being a Kingdom minded pastor. I wrote this chapter of the book really to encourage pastors who have just acknowledged the previous problems.

A Kingdom vision begins with believing and knowing that Christ is the King.

A Kingdom minded pastor believes that the Kingdom has come to this earth in the person and work of Jesus. We do not wait for it till another day. It’s here.

If Christ is not ruling and reigning today, then by whose authority do we preach.

We are pastors, so we’ve all preached the concept of the now and not yet of the Kingdom. But let me just remind you here. Don’t spend the majority of your time thinking about the not yet. That will come at the perfect time.

The Kingdom minded pastor cherishes and values the now of the Kingdom.

Couple other bullet points about a Kingdom vision.

Small is formidable in the Kingdom

Be faithful in the small things.

Remember that the work of the Kingdom in Maine is bigger than just you.

Which leads us to #3

When thinking about joining or forming a new pastor’s fellowship, who should you bring to the table?

Every group will be unique, but there are certain standards that need to be considered for each group if it’s going to be effective.

Consider the level of alignment that is needed.

The group I formed in 2022 is 95% reformed and baptist. This was important to me, because I don’t want our pastors group to be constantly stalling because of debating over doctrine.

2. Philosophy of ministry should be pretty closely aligned. What is the Church, what is an elder, what authority do elders have?, should there be a plurality, is Sunday for the church, or is it primarily to be evangelistic? These alignments Matter.

3. The Gospel is of first importance. In fact, I would not join a group, or invite to the table a pastor who does not show a passion for the gospel in his life and ministry, as well as a desire to uphold key doctrines that display the gospel.

For this, you might put forth a common creed, or confession around which you will align. This is all open to discussion and depends on the group.

4. Similarly, I think passion is another key component to a healthy pastor’s coalition.

A passionless pastor will drag you down.

I need other brothers in my life who can help me in this area.

Ok, so if you wanted to start a new coalition, what are some ways you would find those pastors to invite?

someone you met at a conference

use social media

research church websites.

Call or email a few pastors

Location of of the meeting should be considered.

Conducive to good conversation

Prayer

Fellowship

Friendship

Whats a good group size?

What about the actual content of the discussion.

What the group decides to talk about at each meeting is crucial.

The ICC has discussed Church membership, sermon preparation, church discipline, the regulative principle and the pastors responsibility in leading the church in worship, prayer, the right use of social media, and others.

As the groups leader I’m thinking about how the topic and the discussion affects the soul and the health of the shepherd.

looking back

Spurgeon’s associationalism

-downgrade

-fraternity

doctrinal clarity in the midst of compromising

Isaac Case’s vision for Maine