It's planting season on the farms in the Midwest. I know that because God gave me the honor of pastoring a rural church in Nebraska. It was in a place where life and soil meet, and the people are wonderful. Remembering my experience there, I thought I'd share with my readers a few lessons I learned about the church while shepherding God's people, the sheep of His pasture.
Farmers live a life of dependence on God. They may plant, but it is God who causes the growth. The same is true of the church. Iâ°°m convinced that farmers know more about faith than the Ph.D seminary theologian. Lesson #1: Above all else, trust in the Lord with all your heart. (Prov. 3:5-6)
Most farmers at harvest time are very slow to boast about what they were able to accomplish but quick to thank the Lord of the harvest since He is the One who deserves all the credit. Lesson #2: When God does something in or through the church, boast in the Lord. (2 Cor. 10:17)
When farmers need help, their neighbors jump at the opportunity to give their own prayers, resources, time, and talents, even in the busiest times of the farmerâ°°s year. They are willing to make sacrifices so that their neighbors get through their times of great need. Great churches do this. Lesson #3: Love your neighbor. (Matt. 22:34-40)
Farmers know the seasons and know when and how to work them for their benefit. There are different seasons for preparing the soil, planting irrigating, waiting for the harvest, and reaping the harvest. Churches also have seasons of opportunity where different skills can be used in the preparation or participating in the harvest of souls. Because of this, all members of the family can participate by using their spiritual gifts and resources. Lesson #4: Know the seasons of ministry for the church and work them for the benefit of the Kingdom of God. (Mark 4:26-29;
2 Cor. 9:10-12)
On the farm and ranch, people get their whole family involved in work. You name it and you will see children and adults working together for the common goal: taking care of young calves or horses, driving pickups on gravel roads, husking, canning, milking cows, bringing meals and snacks out into the fields for the workers, bailing and hauling hay, gathering eggs, and the list goes on. In rural churches, efforts are made to get all ages involved in the ministry. Lesson #5: The whole church family gets involved. (1 Cor. 12:12-20)
I am sure there are many other lessons that you can or have learned from the rural or ag community church. What lessons would you share from your experience?
[Photo by James Baltz on Unsplash]