You may also listen to this article on the STS Podcast
In the face of Hurricane Ida-type forces, it seems like the church in America is crumbling. So many of our national church leaders have caved to darker passions. Divisions have left congregations diminished in numbers and demoralized in spirit. Winds of cultural change rage against what traditionally we have assumed would keep us secure for the next generation. In the midst of these dark times, there is hope for the rural church, and any church that looks beyond the growing chaos.
Recently I was privileged to be at a retreat structured to prepare ten aspiring pastors. These apprentices were all part of an intensive training to either lead church plants or revitalizations in “hard places” in the United States. Two of these men are committed to urban pastoring among the poor and marginalized. One is preparing to plant a Spanish-speaking church in Rhode Island. Seven are planning to plant in rural settings in Kentucky, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and probably Minnesota.
These apprentices were being instructed on evangelism, expository preaching, discipleship and strategic planning. Two are African American. One is Puerto Rican. One is of Native American ancestry and six are white. These men of diverse ethnicity and callings were unified around the common belief that Jesus will be glorified through healthy churches.
The hope I have for the churches these men will lead is not because they are young and have solid theological training. I believe that when the following four qualities are part of any church there is great hope for Spirit-led momentum.
Gospel People
Recently I heard Jani Ortlund (Ray Ortlund’s amazing wife) say, “Nothing good grows in the dark.” Hidden sin and shame corrode the soul and dampen worship. But when a person believes that Jesus came to save us from sin’s present harm as much as its eternal consequence, and practices repentance as a normal discipline, that Christian walks in the light. When a congregation walks in the joy of overcoming sin through the power of Christ’s perfecting love, that church family will shine. Discipling people in regular confession as the first step to holy living will create people of humble happiness. The church made up of gospel people will be a church alive in the power of the gospel.
Gospel Culture
Culture is shaped by belief and practice. A church believing the gospel will welcome anyone. They will be patient with sinners because our glorious Savior is patient with us. It will be a place of serving and sacrifice because that is how Jesus comes to us. It will smell of nicotine and alcohol and unwashed clothes because Jesus came for the least of these. It will celebrate again and again the wonder of a God who adopts orphans. Yes, there will be struggle and failure and disappointment as people stumble and fall, but hope triumphs over all of these because Jesus is our collective hope.
Gospel Liturgy
The sham of performance and idolatry of excellence will not make holy worshipers. Country churches can’t often afford expense sound systems or skilled musicians. But any church gathered to worship can structure its ordered service around gospel rhythms. Gospel liturgy contains a call to worship the great and glorious God of the Bible. It includes confession of sin and assurance of Christ’s sufficiency. The Word preached will be faithful to its original intent while having clear application to the believer and insightful words to the unbeliever. The Lord’s Supper will be shared often as we declare over ourselves that the death of Christ is sufficient for our standing. The saints will disperse into their weekly world alive, having again been immersed in gospel-saturated worship.
Gospel Dependency
Where does the power come from for the church on mission? Clearly the Spirit of God enables the people of God in all parts of life. Loving the people of our villages and communities through selfless service demonstrates God’s kingdom care. But without dependency on the power of the spoken gospel, we will not see converts. The mystery of the gospel is that God uses words to water the parched souls of sinners, hopelessly searching for life. As God’s people persistently and gently and creatively and prayerfully talk about the works of Jesus, God will bring life. John Hindley, pastor of Broadgrace Church in Cotlishall, Norwich UK said to a virtual Small Town Summit recently, “We have no control over the soil or seasons of harvest. But as we indiscriminately scatter gospel seeds, the Lord of the Harvest will bring forth a harvest.” We sow with tears but reap with joy. We depend solely on God’s work through the gospel.
I’ve now pastored over 34 years, most of it in New Hampshire. I have stumbled and struggled with fellow elders to lead God’s people. But in all of our weakness I have seen gospel people create a welcoming gospel culture and worship in a gospel-saturated gathering, depending on the power of the spoken gospel. These congregations may not be large but they are alive. And I am filled with great hope that as more and more local churches are led to embody these qualities, newly baptized believers will be added to our number and more and more light will shine in our dark towns and communities. There is great hope for the rural church and every church as the goodness of Jesus transforms us into glad gospel gatherings!
For more information about Small Town Summits, including upcoming Summits, click here.
David Pinckney
David is the lead pastor of River of Grace in Concord, NH, an Acts 29 church and the co-director of the new Acts 29 Rural Collective. He's a graduate of Bethel Seminary, a long-time New England pastor, and he and his wife Sharon have four sons and one daughter. He enjoys traveling, people, and history.