In this lesson, Pastor Steve McVey discusses the unique challenges and perspectives of leading a rural church, contrasting agrarian thinking with business-oriented approaches. He highlights the importance of viewing church members as family rather than assets or liabilities, emphasizing relational leadership over professional qualifications. McVey uses the story of Aunt Edna on the worship team to illustrate the deeply connected nature of rural communities and the significance of loyalty and belonging. He advises new rural pastors to prioritize building relationships and demonstrating love and acceptance to their congregations.

This lesson aims to equip you to:

1. Distinguish between agrarian and business/professional-oriented mindsets.
2. Recognize some key aspects of relational leadership in rural ministry.