Rural challenge: Send me!

Q: Small rural congregations are going a long time between pastors. Are there just not enough pastors? How can we get pastors to take calls to these small congregations?

A: The church always needs to pray, "Lord, send out laborers into your harvest." Of course, we need more trained pastors to serve in these many smaller and more isolated churches. But this alone won't solve our problem. Many of these congregations can't pay the kind of salaries necessary for a new pastor to support a family. Also the challenges and needs for pastoral leadership require the understanding and wisdom of experienced pastors.