Providing Guidance and Support to Rural and Small Town Churches
The July 2016 issue of Reaching Rural America for Christ highlights what congregations need to effectively follow through with strategic planning. Endurance, patience and community are essential to help a congregation achieve its desired results. Above all, remember that what we do, we do it in the name of Jesus with Him walking beside us and giving all we need to share His Gospel with others.
The June 2016 issue of Reaching Rural America for Christ emphasizes the importance of congregations implementing agreed-upon strategic plans and following through on them. Congregational leaders need to give as much attention to the process of implementation as they do to the process of planning. Helpful suggestions to keep the ball rolling on strategic planning are provided.
The May 2016 issue of Reaching Rural America for Christ discusses the importance of congregations engaging in strategic planning. While not to be held in priority over worship, prayer and the study of God's Word, strategic planning is of great value to the church in ministerially serving the Gospel.
The April 2016 issue of Reaching Rural America for Christ highlights the positive difference parish nurses have when serving in rural and small-town communities.
In the March 2016 issue of Reaching Rural America for Christ, congregations are reminded of how, when they reach out to those in need, God uses them to multiply His love and help people in various ways.
The February 2016 issue of Reaching Rural America for Christ provides helpful suggestions for building, strengthening and supporting church choirs in rural and small-town congregations.
The January 2016 issue of Reaching Rural America for Christ shares insights about how rural congregations are reaching out and connecting to immigrants and refugees in their communities.
The December 2015 issue of Reaching Rural America for Christ recaps the 2015 National RSTM Conference held Nov. 5-7, in Kansas City, Mo., both in words and in pictures. The conference was a success with more than 160 pastors and lay leaders in attendance.
The November 2015 issue of Reaching Rural America for Christ shares the story of Vicar Steve Struecker’s journey through the Specific Ministry Pastor (SMP) program and how he helps bring the Gospel to struggling churches in rural Iowa.
Rev. Mark Wood, director of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod’s Witness and Outreach Ministry, presented a webinar titled “Overcoming Bad Experiences” on Oct. 15, 2015.
The October issue of Reaching Rural America for Christ shares information about the Acts 1:8 Ministry in Green Bay, Wis.
The September issue of Reaching Rural America for Christ shares highlights from the Worker Priest “Respite and Revitalization” Retreat, which was sponsored by LCMS Rural & Small Town Mission on July 22-23 at Saint Paul Lutheran High School in Concordia, Mo.
The August issue of Reaching Rural America for Christ provides insight into how congregations can make church events into community outreach opportunities.
The July issue of Reaching Rural America for Christ provides insight into how congregation members can welcome new people and include those in the congregation who are not regular attendees. The newsletter offers registration details for the 2015 National Rural & Small Town Mission Conference Nov. 5-7 in Kansas City, Mo.
In this issue from LCMS Rural & Small Town Mission (RSTM), ways for congregations to make their church buildings and the surrounding property welcoming to everyone are provided and discussed. Information on the upcoming National RSTM Conference in Kansas City, Mo., Nov. 5-7, 2015, is also shared.