Rural Pastors Talk
Rural pastors helping rural churches think biblically about the local church.
Rural Pastors Talk
Latest Episodes
Grumpy Hearts and Holy Checks in Rural Ministry
In this episode of Rural Pastors Talk, Joe Wagner, Josh MacClaren, and CJ Dematatis open with a humorous “Pastoralax” skit before diving into what makes pastors grumpy and why a “holy heart check” matters in rural ministry. They sha...
How Do You Stay in Ministry for the Long Haul?
In this episode of Rural Pastors Talk, TJ Freeman, Joe Wagner, and Josh MacClaren swap favorite vacation spots before pivoting to a needed conversation about rest for pastors. They discuss the common extremes: discouraged pastors who drift into...
Who Should Fill Your Pulpit?
In this episode of Rural Pastors Talk, Joe Wagner and CJ Dematatis discuss why pulpit supply and guest preaching matter for both congregations and preachers, pushing back on the idea that rural ministry is a “training wheels” assignment. CJ ref...
Does Your Church Have a Community Witness?
In this episode of Rural Pastors Talk, TJ Freeman, Joe Wagner, and Josh MacClaren discuss how a church can become a “reverse witness” in its community when it’s known for something other than Christ.They argue that in small towns, reputa...
Do You Pass the Hospitality Test?
In this episode of Rural Pastors Talk, TJ Freeman, Josh MacClaren, and Joe Wagner swap memorable “worst hotel” stories to highlight how first impressions linger and why hospitality matters when guests visit a church. They discuss co...