Rural Church Renewal
Rural pastors helping rural churches think biblically about the local church.
Episodes
215 episodes
Brainerd Conference Day Two: Closing Sermon, Sean Demars
Speaker: Sean DemarsSummary: In this session, Sean Demars preaches from Hebrews Chapter 11 to underline the inescapable nature of affliction in gospel ministry. The sermon emphasizes the importance of shepherding thro...
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Season 1
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Episode 35
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41:48
Brainerd Conference Session 5 – Raphael Mnkandhla: The Kingdom Advancing in Forgotten Places
Speaker: Raphael MnkandhlaSummary: In this session from the Brainerd Conference, Raphael Mnkandhla focuses on Romans chapter 10, highlighting Paul's dedication to preaching to the Jews despite them being largely resistant ...
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Season 1
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Episode 34
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49:19
Brainerd Conference Session 4 - Mike Miosi: Shepherding & Healthy Teams in Rural Contexts
Speaker: Mike MiosiSummary: In this session from the Brainerd Conference, Mike Miosi emphasizes the importance of adhering to God's design for shepherding His church, especially in rural contexts. He shares personal experi...
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Season 1
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Episode 33
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54:01
Brainerd Conference Day Two: Morning Sermon, Sean Demars
Speaker: Sean DemarsSummary: In this morning sermon at the Brainerd Conference, Sean Demars highlights the unique advantages of congregational singing, particularly within small churches. Demars explores the dichotomy betw...
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Season 1
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48:38
Brainerd Conference Day One: Evening Sermon, Sean DeMars
Speaker: Sean DemarsSummary: In this Brainerd Conference session, Sean shares his journey of church revitalization at Sixth Avenue Community Church. Initially confident and equipped with years of ministry experience, he fa...
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Season 1
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Episode 32
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43:28
Brainerd Conference Session 3 – Raphael Mnkandhla: Church History & Rural Witness
Speaker: Raphael MnkandhlaSummary: 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 resilienc...
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Season 1
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Episode 31
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47:12
Brainerd Conference Session 2 – Mike Miosi: Expositional Preaching & Listening
Speaker: Mike MiosiSummary: 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 pr...
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Season 1
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Episode 30
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58:01
Brainerd Conference Session 1 - God’s Plan A for Creation: A Theology of Place
Speaker: TJ FreemanSummary: 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 feel...
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Season 1
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Episode 29
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45:03
Room For Nuance Crossover Episode!
Hosts: TJ Freeman and Sean DemarsSummary: 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 ...
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Season 1
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Episode 28
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1:19:44
What if the Congregation Doesn’t Like Your Preaching?
Hosts: TJ Freeman, Joe Wagner, and Josh MacClarenSummary: In this episode of Rural Church Renewal, Pastor TJ Freeman addresses the challenge of disengaged congregations. Sharing personal experiences from his ministry in We...
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Season 1
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Episode 27
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13:20
Is the Weight of Leadership Crushing You?
Hosts: TJ Freeman, Joe Wagner, and Josh MacClarenSummary: In this episode of Rural Church Renewal, TJ Freeman discusses the heavy burden and opposition faced by church leaders, especially in small, rural congregations. Sha...
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Season 1
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Episode 26
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17:08
Are Church Constitutions Biblical?
Hosts: TJ Freeman, Joe Wagner, and Josh MacClarenSummary: 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 main...
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Season 1
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Episode 25
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25:14
Would Ministry Be Easier Without People?
Hosts: TJ Freeman, Joe Wagner, and Josh MacClarenSummary: 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 e...
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Season 1
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Episode 24
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35:47
How to Handle a Frustrating Church
Hosts: TJ Freeman, Joe Wagner, and Josh MacClarenSummary: In this episode of Rural Church Renewal, TJ addresses the frustrations of pastoring a church that resists leadership. He shares insights on staying committed, lovin...
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Season 1
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Episode 23
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14:59
Testimonies — A Good Idea?
Hosts: TJ Freeman, Joe Wagner, and Josh MacClarenSummary: 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 chur...
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Season 1
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Episode 22
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14:19
How Soon Should You Make Changes?
Hosts: TJ Freeman, Joe Wagner, and Josh MacClarenSummary: 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 p...
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Season 1
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Episode 21
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24:31
Should Your Rural Church Plant?
Hosts: TJ Freeman, Joe Wagner, and Josh MacClarenSummary: 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 c...
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Season 1
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Episode 20
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25:26
What’s Driving You?
Hosts: TJ Freeman, Joe Wagner, and Josh MacClarenSummary: 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...
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Season 1
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Episode 19
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29:40
Are Your People Bored at Church?
Host: TJ FreemanSummary: 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 responsi...
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Season 1
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Episode 18
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17:05
Are You Neglecting This Church Responsibility?
Host: TJ FreemanSummary: 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...
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Season 1
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Episode 17
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7:50
Is Your Church Responsible for Your Community?
Host: TJ FreemanSummary: 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, Pennsy...
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Season 1
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Episode 16
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14:14
When You Feel Abandoned by God
Host: TJ FreemanSummary: 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 tra...
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Season 1
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Episode 15
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23:51
Making Friends in the Middle of Nowhere
Hosts: TJ Freeman & Josh MacClarenSummary: 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. T...
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Season 1
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Episode 14
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16:20