Lack of rural pastors

Collin Hansen at Out of Ur has some good comments about the lack of rural minister:
HERE

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Hospitality

We had two visitors with us last night for our Wednesday evening fellowship meal and Bible study.  Andrew and Jacob, two young men from Wisconsin are bicycling through the area.  Apparently they got off course yesterday after biking from Jackson, TN in the rain.  One of our church members found them in the area and [...]

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Prayer Requests

Wednesday nights are great fun. We have a meal followed by our group Bible studies and prayer meeting. Tonights menu was Baked Ham, White Beans, Corn Bread and Turnip Greens, unfortunately all of the Chocolate pie was gone before I got to dessert.
Prayer requests in the country are always good too. We [...]

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A House Divided? or just a Vote?

I survived another meeting of presbytery.  My blood pressure always starts rising the week before such meetings and beginning about noon the day before I get naseous.  I can relax for another few months now until our next meeting.
One thing that particularly bothers me about church meetings is that differences of opinion are too often [...]

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CHAP. XXXIII. The Parson’s Library.

I was really expecting this chapter to be advice on study and reading.  Instead, Herbert reminds us that the purpose of our studies is to serve God’s Kingdom.  It reminds me of the phrase ‘a christian’s life is the only Bible some people read’.  Notice he does mention we should study our souls, the ‘lusts [...]

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CHAP. XXXII. The Parson’s Surveys.

The following chapter doesn’t relate immediately to pastoral work, but it is interesting to note the scope of Herbert’s view of the minister’s calling.  While the details don’t exactly fit the modern context, I am challenged by the idea of seeing the mission of the Church integral to the well being of the social order [...]

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CHAP. XXX. The Parson’s Consideration of Providence.

Can’t believe it’s been so long since I’ve posted anything… Here’s Chapter 30 from George Herbert’s The Country Parson.
THe Countrey Parson considering the great aptnesse if Countrey people have to think that all things come by a kind of naturall course; and that if they sow and soyle their grounds, [...]

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CHAP. XXIX. The Parson with his Church-Wardens.

THe Countrey Parson doth often, both publickly, and
privately instruct his Church-Wardens, what a great
Charge lyes upon them, and that indeed the whole order and
discipline of the Parish is put into their hands. If himselfe
reforme any thing, it is out of the overflowing of his Con-
science, whereas they are to do it by Command, and [...]

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CHAP. XXVIII. The Parson in Contempt.

THe Countrey Parson knows well, that both for the generall ignominy which is cast upon the profession, and much more for those rules, which out of his choysest judgment hee hath resolved to observe, and which are described in this Book, he must be despised; because this hath been the portion [...]

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CHAP. XXVII. The Parson in mirth.

THe Countrey Parson is generally sad, because hee knows nothing but the Crosse of Christ, his minde being defixed on it with those nailes wherewith his Master was: or if he have any leisure to look off from thence, he meets continually with two most sad spectacles. Sin, and [...]

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