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 laziness versus pastors who can’t shut ministry off. Then Josh lays out a biblical theology of rest from creation, the Sabbath, and the gospel, including the promised rest fulfilled in Christ and awaited in the new heavens and new earth. The guys talk practical rhythms like guarding a day off, setting boundaries with texts and phones, and how physical work can be restorative. TJ shares about taking a Lilly Endowment-funded sabbatical focused on unplugging, counseling, journaling, and family time, and encourages pastors to evaluate where they are on the “rest continuum” and take steps toward faithful, God-honoring rest.

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 reflects on early preaching lessons and shares key takeaways from the Charles Simeon Trust Chicago Course on Preaching: get the text right for the original audience, then faithfully connect it to Jesus and thoughtfully apply it to real people by knowing and loving them.

Residents Jacob Smoker and Brydon Ratliff recount their first sermons, the value of critique, and practical advice like arriving early, staying anchored in the text, and asking hosting churches good questions about context and expectations. They recommend the book 'Saving Eutychus' and close with a George Whitefield quote.

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, reputation spreads fast and lasts for generations, so building genuine relationships with community leaders and neighbors matters for both practical needs (like zoning and securing a building) and gospel opportunities. Josh shares encouragement from his Chamber of Commerce president amid ongoing zoning hurdles, and the guys unpack dangers like manipulation, “us vs. them” thinking, and confusing pragmatics with mission. They recommend Stephen Viars’ Loving Your Community and close with a Bonhoeffer quote on the church existing for others.