As always, if you would like to reach out to the show for encouragement, or to give feedback or ideas, you can contact our host Joe Epley at joseph.g.epley@gmail.com

The post Pastoring Transient Populations, Church Planting, and Preaching Schedules with Sheldon McGorman appeared first on Rural Advancement.

As always, if you would like to reach out to the show for encouragement, or to give ideas or feedback, you can contact our host Joe Epley at joseph.g.epley@gmail.com

You can find a version of St. John Chrysostom’s Homilies on Matthew here

And again on the Homilies of Acts here

The post Rural Resource: The Homilies of John Chrysostom appeared first on Rural Advancement.

As always, if you would like to connect with the show for encouragement, or to give ideas or feedback, please contact our host Joe Epley at joseph.g.epley@gmail.com

The post Prayer, Revitalization, and the Faithfulness of God with John Murdoch appeared first on Rural Advancement.

As always, if you want to reach out to the show with feedback and ideas, or for encouragement, please contact our host Joe Epley at joseph.g.epley@gmail.com

The post Longevity, Church Planting, and a Culture of Family with Cody Cochran appeared first on Rural Advancement.

As always, if you would like to reach out to the show for encouragement, or with feedback or ideas, please connect with our host Joe Epley at joseph.g.epley@gmail.com

The post Church Planting and Revitalization with Paul Drost appeared first on Rural Advancement.

As always, if you want to reach out to the show with feedback, ideas, or for encouragement, contact our host Joe Epley at joseph.g.epley@gmail.com

The post Stories of God’s Provision with Denny Curan appeared first on Rural Advancement.

As always, for feedback, ideas, or encouragement, reach out to our host Joe Epley at joseph.g.epley@gmail.com

The post Setting a Church Planting Culture with Clarence St. John appeared first on Rural Advancement.

As always, you can reach out to the show with feedback or ideas, or just to find conversation and encouragement, by connecting with our host at joseph.g.epley@gmail.com!

The post Pastoral Transition in a Rural Community with Alvin Koski appeared first on Rural Advancement.

If you ever want to reach out for conversation, encouragement, or to give feedback and ideas about the show, reach our host Joe Epley at joseph.g.epley@gmail.com

The post Planting Rural Churches Part 4 with Chad Randleman appeared first on Rural Advancement.

If anyone wants to reach out to the show with ideas or feedback, email our host Joe Epley at joseph.g.epley@gmail.com!

The post Planting Rural Churches Part 3 with Kevin Peterson and Doug Gentry appeared first on Rural Advancement.

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The post Planting Rural Churches Part 2 with Randy Jumper appeared first on Rural Advancement.

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The post Planting Rural Churches Part 1 With Will Hampton appeared first on Rural Advancement.

Review by Jim Von Wald

Overview

The Churching of America 1776-2005: Winners and Losers in Our Religious Economy, written by professors Roger Finke and Rodney Stark, outlines the history of denominations as they established churches in America.  Their historical narrative showed, with empirical data and historical records, reasons for the rise and fall of church denominations as they moved across America.  This narrative also provided a secular view of denominational church planting in America.

Finke and Stark’s writing revealed some historical gaps that filled by unverified and borrowed information resulting in “major falsifications” across the history of churches in America.[1]  This misinformation passed along in academic circles without appropriate historical criticism, which resulted in “absurd statistics” about high church membership as well as deflated church growth such as those based on the view of Lyman Beecher whose own denomination was failing.[2]  The authors brought about historical correction and stated, “We did not intend to make major revisions to the history of American religion, but unless reason and arithmetic have failed us, we have done precisely that.”[3]  The corresponding correction resulted in meaningful data and trends which led to the rise and fall of denominations in America.

Despite their work being a secular view of religion as it relates to establishing churches or church planting across America, the growth of the church adherence in America from a mere 17% in 1776 to that of 62% today is quite remarkable.[4]  Even though church adherence is not the same as conversion, the historical growth of the church in America fits the mission of God to establish His church to the ends of the earth.

Meaningful Material

Finke and Stark’s chapter three, “The Upstart Sects Win America” provides historical information how mainline denominations faltered and declined while the new church denominations grew exponentially.  The authors point to some reasons for the downfall of the mainline and the growth of the upstarts.  For example, the mainline denominations attempted to regulate who and where a new church could start, establishing cartels and local privilege to this effect.[5]  This attempt to control and persecute the upstarts, which in one instance included preaching against the itinerant traveling minister, led to a surge in attendance the next time he came in town.[6]  The resistance to the upstart church may be compared to the New Testament church, which when persecuted dispersed and continued to grow.[7]

The authors shared multiple reasons for the success of the new church plants, which the mainline denominations remained unwilling to attempt.  Some possible reasons included: having a locally organized church body; clergy of the people, often bi-vocational; passionate ministers excited their style; self-sacrificing clergy willing to work for little pay; well organized camp meetings as social events; a willingness to include slaves and women; and a missionary spirit which continually pushed the denominations to new frontiers.[8]  Present day denominations would do well to evaluate their church planting efforts against the historical record that Finke and Stark reveal to help determine if mistakes from history are reoccurring.

Significant Statement

Finke and Starks study on the secularization of the church in Colonial America revealed critical information regarding continued church planting as it relates to the mission of God.  The authors stated that success and affluence in the church plant sects of early America led to a gradual accommodation to the world and less demanding standards for membership.[9]  Becoming comfortable can lead to risk aversion.  Forward movement usually necessitates uncomfortable risk, but an essential component in church planting and God’s mission requiring faith.

They noted the academic arena as another critical component in the historical secularization of the church.  Finke and Starks stated,  “It may be that secularization ensues whenever religion is placed within a formal academic setting, for scholars seem unable to resist attempting to explain mysteries and miracles and, failing that, to exclude them.  Rather than celebrate mysteries and be thankful for miracles, religious scholars often seek a purely rational faith…where all mysteries are solved by exclusion and all miracles dismissed illusions.  Whether or not this corrosive effect of scholarship on religion is inevitable, that is what went on at Harvard and Yale, starting well before the Revolution.” [10]

Realizing this historical precedence, Christians in academia must carefully follow the advice of the Apostle Paul to guard closely that which has been entrusted, turning away from any knowledge that opposes faith.[11]  A preventative buffer to secularization develops and establishes a biblically grounded practical theology that connects theory and practice.

Critique of Content

Finke and Stark confronted the establishment’s incorrect view of many areas of America church history.  Their documentation provided the proof required to rewrite some historical narratives more accurately.  Their work helps recognize areas of peril, which a denomination can guard to help prevent secularization and demise.  Despite the value Finke and Stark’s work can bring to the church,  Martin E. Marty of the Christian Century stated, “Finke and Stark’s world contains no God or religion or spirituality, no issue of truth or beauty….only winning or losing in the churching game matters.”[12]  It is possible that Marty was not considering the mission of God in establishing the church, where winning or losing is an eternal issue, which makes winning and losing all that matters.

The authors’ writing might create a matrix of issues mainline denominations faced and their response to them, which lead to their downfall.  Forming a similar model of the upstart sects, which were successful in church planting, would show the factors contributing to growth.  Narrowing the focus to a specific denomination and connecting the historical narrative of that denomination through the matrix may produce data that could be used to analyze the trajectory of that denominations future and possible corrections needed.

Recommendation

Finke & Stark provided an opportunity to study the history of church development and denominational rise and fall in America.  Their book is recommended for those interested in learning reasons why some denominations grew while others faltered.  In the church planting realm, this is a critical issue.  Furthermore, their work reveals some misconceptions about American church history and some false historical narratives.  Teachers and students could benefit from using their material as a primer in learning American church history.  The author’s willingness to ask why and then present historical evidence to back their answers is refreshing. Denominational leaders looking into reasons for organizational decline may find this book helpful in the process of developing solutions and taking action steps.

[1] Roger Finke & Rodney Stark, The Churching of America 1776-2005: Winners and Losers in Our Religious Economy. (New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press, 2005), 3.

[2] Finke & Stark, The Churching of America 1776-2005, 2.

[3] Finke & Stark, The Churching of America 1776-2005, 1.

[4] Finke & Stark, The Churching of America 1776-2005, 23.

[5] Finke & Stark, The Churching of America 1776-2005, 61.

[6] Finke & Stark, The Churching of America 1776-2005, 64.

[7] Acts 8 (NIV).

[8] Finke & Stark, The Churching of America 1776-2005, 72-116.

[9] Finke & Stark, The Churching of America 1776-2005, 46-47.

[10] Finke & Stark, The Churching of America 1776-2005, 47.

[11] 1 Tim. 6:20 (NIV).

[12] Finke & Stark, The Churching of America 1776-2005, xiv

The post The Churching of America 1776-2005 Book Critique appeared first on Rural Advancement.

Written by Dwight D. Dozier

This study researched the feasibility of church planting and ministry investment in rural areas in light of depopulation and its corresponding economic and social impact. Some church planters concluded that small town ministry offered little investment return and that efforts should focus on urban and suburban areas.

Population decline in rural America impacted communities beyond fewer people living there. With a declining population, communities experienced economic downturns, increased substance abuse and addictions, higher crime rates and mental illness, and fewer amenities and restricted access to essential services. These realities cried out for spiritual solutions. However, in the circumstances begging for healthy churches, churches have closed or declined into irrelevance.

In America, the evangelical church demonstrated indifference toward rural ministry, which created a challenging environment to recruit pastoral leaders and financial investors. This study pointed to evidence of opportunity and success models in small towns, making a case for human and financial resource investment.

Statistical analysis, literature analysis, personal interviews, and two case studies demonstrated the potential success and supported this position. While the literature analysis will be broad and general, the statistical analysis and case studies will focus on rural Assemblies of God in Kansas.

Church planting draws the attention of ministry investors; contrariwise, few wish to discuss revitalization. However, church revitalization plays an essential role in restoring spiritual vitality to rural communities. Bringing a dying church into a healthy trajectory requires a strategy and leaders committed to change.

Revitalization occurs when the power of Pentecost aligns with the purpose of Pentecost within the life of a church; when the mission of God emanates through the church into the community. The revitalization process in any context starts with an honest assessment, including facilities, music, ministries, and approachability. An honest assessment of approachability can prove painful.

It remains beyond this paper’s scope to suggest detailed strategies, yet a church willing to adapt can find an abundance of resources, successful models, and people ready to help. A willing church can experience new life, but a church that exists for itself will cease to exist.

Read the Academic Article

The post Population Decline in Rural America: A Case for Continued Church Planting and Ministry Investment appeared first on Rural Advancement.

“My house will be a place where people gather to know about God.”

Rocky Alvarez, son of the late pastor Rochester Alvarez, recently recounted his father’s work as a minister and church planter in a phone interview. He recalled with fondness the radical change in his father’s life that came from his decision to follow Christ and the impact that decision made for the kingdom of God. Rocky grew up watching his father grow in his faith and planting 69 churches on three continents as far north as Canada and as far south as Brazil.

Rochester Alvarez migrated to the United States from El Salvador in the late 1960’s and eventually brought over his wife and children when Rocky was five years old. After doing his absolute best to avoid Christ’s interjection into his nominal faith, the elder Alvarez eventually attended a crusade and the Gospel deeply touched him. From the very beginning of that relationship with Jesus two things became true: he devoured scripture with an unquenchable appetite, and his home became a place for people to know the Lord.

The Lord called Rocky’s father to plant a church in Long Island, NY in 1973. The first church grew on the bedrock of family, community, and a deep desire to establish more communities of faith. Within a year, the church reached three hundred in attendance. At this point, many pastors and leaders would either rest on success or try to find the next milestone. Alvarez decided he had reached his capacity as a pastor a church of 300 and sent out a team to plant another church. This began a life pattern of planting churches and Alverez planted churches, sometimes once a year or even twice a year, and often the timeframe mattered less than the present need. Each time the home church grew, Alvarez responded by planting more churches, including over twenty churches in the Long Island area alone. Every person who attended one of these churches was invited (at times compelled) into this vision of what it meant to build the kingdom of God. Churches continued to multiply, spanning countries and continents. At the end of his pastoral career, 69 churches, representing over 20,000 people had germinated and taken root in their local communities.

This move of God would have been awe-inspiring by itself, but Rocky included another truly astounding detail. When asked how many churches remained open, he said “all of them,” 69 churches planted, and 69 churches still growing today. As a pastor, I asked the question that always follows stories like this one: How did he do it? How did this move of God grow to such proportions, all from an El Salvadorian migrant with a sixth-grade education? The response surprised me, in how much it contrasted with some strains of modern American thought concerning church multiplication. Rocky shared principles so common that I dare to call them overlooked. Simultaneously, however, these principles lived in such radical obedience on the part of his father comes as no surprise that God moved through such a life.

Three things stood out about Rocky’s father as he expanded a network of churches:

1) Radical Hospitality

Rocky recalls that after his father became a Christian; their home was always open. He laughed a bit as he remembered countless occasions where he slept on the couch as his bed had been given to those in need or others passing through their community. Christmas and Thanksgiving served as more than holidays for the nuclear family, instead, their home embraced upwards of 40 people for the meal and festivities in an effort to model the welcoming attitude of Jesus. This willingness to welcome others created a DNA of both the home church and the church plants that created tight-knit family bonds, which led to the formation of sustainable and lasting communities.

2) Relentless Creativity

At one point, the sending church in Long Island had a slogan of sorts, “How do we plant a church? BY EATING!” The congregation would sell food with the proceeds going to fund the next church plant. At times, the pastor would entrust lay people with $100, and, based on the premise of the parable of talents, they would then turn a profit off of the original amount and donate it back for the next mission. Alvarez remained open to seeing the need, even in a different or new country, village, or region. He looked at people with a fresh perspective and saw opportunities to expand God’s work, even as the network grew and became more diverse.

3) Unwavering Humility

When Rocky spoke of his father’s legacy, he spoke of his humility. Alvarez felt that he could not exceed his pastoral capacity of 300 people, which inspired him to keep sending people out as his church grew. Instead of pushing towards recognition or ascent inside the church world, he relinquished control for the sake of God’s kingdom. He did not use any curriculum or write his own book series in order to teach others how to lead, instead, they came for dinner, again and again, until authentic and godly leadership seeped into their hearts through Rochester Alvarez’ steady example and genuine presence in their lives.

As a rural pastor, Rochester Alvarez inspired and challenged all who hear his story by the way he faithfully lived his calling. In his life, lessons transcend time and still apply today. What is rural ministry if not practicing hospitality at every opportunity? What is small town church building if not pursuing relentless creativity even when the need outweighs the available resources. What better describes building God’s kingdom in a small community than to live with humble authenticity, accepting our own limitations in the process and seeing the Lord work miracles?

Reflection Questions:

• List some ways your church can practice radical hospitality?
• What are some ways you personally can grow in hospitality towards others?
• How do you plan to increase in creativity? And what resources do you have that you may have overlooked?
• Are you content in the role and the calling God has given you? If not, how do you plan to pray and ask God for help in humbly serving his kingdom in your context?
• How can you mentor and mobilize leaders for church multiplication?

The post A Humble Pastor, an Incredible God, and Principles of Multiplication appeared first on Rural Advancement.

Outline & Theme

Ed Stetzer and Warren Bird outlined their book, Viral Churches: Helping Church Planters Become Movement Makers, into four parts to assist reader’s use of this resource. First, Stetzer and Bird begin with the methods and the standards of their research for writing their book. Second, they discuss importance of evangelism, and the dependency of church planting to accomplish the mission of church multiplication. Third, the authors look at the different church planting methods exploring the benefits and hindrances in church panting models. Fourth, they discussed the importance of looking at new ways to evaluate if the church has a multiplying mindset and what factors produce fast or slow growing churches.

Stetzer and Bird express that the purpose of writing their book, “We are absolutely convinced that a huge influx of new churches is required in this country, an influx that will not happen unless present patterns change.”[1] The premise of this book, continuing to do church, in the same way will not impact the world we live in today.

The authors believed that, “…church planting is the best way to take the church to the people it needs to serve. We believe new churches are the best platform for followers of Jesus to live as salt, light, and doers of good deeds in our communities, to demonstrate love in practical ways, and to intentionally make more disciples of Jesus Christ.”[2] Stetzer and Bird’s classification of what it will require Christ-followers to reach and disciple their communities has the prerequisite of a healthy church planting movement that leads to multiplication.

Most Meaningful Material & Ministry Related Issues

Stetzer and Bird wrote about how churches need to use a new matrix to measure effectiveness. By using a different matrix, could enable churches to focus on multiplication instead of addition. Stetzer and Bird believed, “The way that most pastors and congregations measure health by whether their church is growing.”[3] The challenge that this assertion raises for congregations and pastors that churches can have the appearance of health; however, with different criteria, churches may not have the health that church leaders thought they had.

The authors continued, “The better measurement is whether their people are learning to reproduce themselves. Ralph calls it disciples multiplying churches.”[4] As pastors and congregations overcome the fear that they will lose control or lose people when they reproduce themselves, they will see multiplication in the church as a necessity.

Significant Quote

Evangelistic methods have evolved; at times, the church needs to evaluate its effectiveness. One of the ways that church leaders could do this by looking at the past. Stetzer and Bird noted, “Paul’s evangelistic strategy was to plant new churches that in turn planted new churches.”[5] This statement’s significance should raise the question for church leaders to consider how they may become more effective in reaching the lost in our world today. Do churches need to plant new churches or for smaller churches to partner together to plant churches. As churches return to this evangelistic method, church leaders can look at nontraditional ways of doing church that may provide more effective ways to multiply itself.

Critique

Throughout the book, Stetzer and Bird discussed that the church needs to move from an addition to a multiplication mindset[6]; they keep this theme throughout their book. Stetzer and Bird wrote, “…this is not a book for those whose approach is to start only one church. Instead, we are speaking to those who have a dream of starting lots and lots of churches. Not via one-by-one addition, but by multiplication.”[7] Stetzer and Bird did well presented the need well for new churches to plant new churches,“…when the church uses new benchmarks this can be accomplished.

More organic mindsets focuse on abundance versus size. In agricultural terms, farmers sow lots of seeds with the mindset that they will reap more than they sow.”[8] From establishing new benchmarks in the conclusion of their book or establishing the intended purpose in writing their book stayed consistent with multiplying the church. Stetzer and Bird covered the intended purpose of their book well. The authors provided a detailed account on how they conducted their research, which provided (possibly validity or anything else you think this gave the text).

Recommendation

Church planters or those interested in the church planting movement would benefit from reading this book and having it as a resource to refer back to as a tool. As churches embark on the journey of planting a church, this book shows the importance of not only planting one church but multiple churches. Stetzer and Bird cover a broad range of topics that could help existing churches get out of the church’s Status quo.

Bibliography

Stetzer, Ed, Warren, Bird. Viral Churches: Helping Church Planters Become Movement Makers. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass A Wiley Imprint, 2010. Kindle.

[1] Stetzer, Ed, Warren, Bird. Viral Churches: Helping Church Planters Become Movement Makers: (San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass A Wiley Imprint, 2010), Chap. 2. Kindle.

[2] Stetzer, Bird, Viral Churches Chap. 2.

[3] Stetzer, Bird, Viral Churches, Chap. 3.

[4] Stetzer, Bird, Viral Churches Chap. 3.

[5] Stetzer, Bird, Viral Churches Chap. 2.

[6] Stetzer, Bird, Viral Churches, Chap. 2.

[7] Stetzer, Bird, Viral Churches, Chap. 2.

[8] Stetzer, Bird, Viral Churches, Chap. 14.

The post Viral Churches: Helping Church Planters Become Movement Makers appeared first on Rural Advancement.

By Hope Danzl

God placed a vision in Pastor Dwight Dozier’s heart for the growth of the church in rural America since starting full-time ministry in his early 20’s. Now, at age 62, having served in ministry for over 40 years, most Americans view this season of life as the conclusion of their working years and beginning their retirement, but not this rural pastor.

What motivates his continued work of pastoring, pursuing education, and leading church multiplication in rural areas? Dozier’s passion to see the incredible need in rural places met with more healthy churches, more spiritual leadership and training for the next generation, and to see his healthy church launch more churches in smaller communities. Dozier’s vision supersedes the natural rhythm of life or personal comfort for most people in his age group.

Little did he know when he set new goals, God would surprise him by preparing the first church planters, Randy and Lisa Parr, two valued church members in his own congregation, First Assembly of God in Great Bend, KS. God took these former missionaries to Mexico from the mission field to rural America, on a different ministry journey. They already had a vision to relaunch a church in Ness City, Kansas. God miraculously blessed them with the miracle purchase of an old theater and office space in the center of town for Generations Church, for the price of one dollar. However, Ness City had one challenge; only three members in the previous congregation remained to start this new church. Pastor Dwight and First Assembly jumped at the chance to assist Randy and Lisa in making their God-given dream a reality, fulfilling what God was speaking to them.

Dozier invited ‘A-team’ members from his church to join Generations Church, filling the voids with skilled people while also raising local leaders. Members quickly volunteered to fill ministry roles such as; worship leaders, ushers, greeters, nursery helpers, children’s ministry leaders and much more. The church in Great Bend displayed selfless generosity that assisted the new Kansas church to walk through its hardest first steps with grace. Today, with an average of about 70 people, Randy and Lisa Parr are well on their way to raising up a strong church for the greater Ness City, Kansas area. (See more on their story here… (attach link to their article).

Dozier’s plans to leverage his decades of leadership in multiple church planting endeavors. He also began a Master of Arts degree in Rural Ministry through Trinity Bible College and Graduate School in 2018, not a conventional endeavor for someone his age. This master’s program contributed to defining and executing this church planting vision. His strategy to begin works in 7 or 8 area communities formulated in a class project. Beginning formal education brought him through many successive learning stages. One helpful insight he learned helped create a church, different from the existing community churches in both style and ministry for effective results. His ministry strategy engages people in the Good News, worship, and gives personal attention to people related issues. Pastor Dwight sets the spiritual climate within the community and works to create an effective and healthy church in Great Bend, Kansas, leading the local ministerial association outreaches.

Pastor Dozier desires to multiply churches that model these values before he completes his years of vocational ministry. His strategy is to maximize kingdom impact through church planting and ministry preparation so when he reaches 70, a pipeline of leadership will follow in his footsteps. These future ministers need places to run, so in the next eight years, Dozier developed a goal of launching church plants with an awareness toward rural America.

The First Assembly congregation in Great Bend caught the God’s direction and now dreams with Dozier’s contagious vision. He works to instill a kingdom mindset in his church, so most of the congregation became excited when God used them to impact not only the church plant in Ness City but the surrounding rural communities. The energy and excitement from the first church plant has provoked questions at First Assembly such as,

• How soon can we take that next step of faith and plant in another rural community?
• When and how can we raise up more churches and leaders?

The fact that Pastor Dwight is “62 and… needs to be 42” challenges this process. In the remaining time in this role, he desires to instill vision into the next generation with hope so they will prepare to step into the new leadership positions in future church plants. He encouraged conversations and developed classes for people exploring the call from Jr. High to adults.

Dozier constantly encourages this next generation of ministers and people currently considering church planting towards making long-term commitments. He often encourages them that long-term rural ministry provides many advantages, although not always apparent. How many other ministry situations have the unique opportunity to pastor a whole community in a long-term setting? Rural ministry includes the prospect of building close relationships with influential people. Dozier’s customary weekly coffee with the mayor of Great Bend exemplifies this possibility. He cites many advantages, plus the exceptional opportunity for people in the community to get to know, trust, and call you their pastor; a reliable figure whom they can confide.

Dozier attests that rural America remains a great setting, not just to start in ministry, but provide a place for ministry longevity. He suggests that young pastors raising families in rural communities with a wholesome environment, can establish strong values and vibrant vision. Age has not stopped this motivated leader from seeing rural America’s potential. This growing journey, a step-by-step process, uncovered a God-driven passion for church planting in rural America. The vision God gave Dozier and First Assembly sees a bright future of fresh awareness for the need of ministers in rural places, investing in the next generation, and developing a heart and a mindset to train new leaders to reach Rural America.

Reflective Engagement:

1. How can you invest in rural communities needing a church?
2. What vision has God birthed in you?
3. How can you accomplish God’s plans without regard of age or other limitations?
4. What steps do you need to take to prepare for God’s next miracle through you?
5. How could education open new doors in ministry?

The post Dwight Dozier Began Thinking About a Partnership For a Church Plant… appeared first on Rural Advancement.