How to do EDLD in a Small Town

Picture of Lindsey Gatlin

Lindsey Gatlin

Facebook
Twitter
Email
LinkedIn

Sky and Corn FieldsImagine a weekend in May where a group of Jesus followers have come together to discuss what it means to do church in their context. They think missionally about the niche that Jesus has called them to. They’re focusing on EDLD —evangelism, discipleship, leadership development, and diversity. They’re asking questions about how to do these four core things in their churches and towns.What language works best in communicate the gospel? How will their people group be best discipled? How will new leaders be developed? And how can the they bring a unity among the diversity of folks represented within their community?

Are these folks talking about a group in some far away country or an unreached immigrant group within our own borders? Actually they’re talking about small town USA and rural America. And they’re at the 2016 Small Town USA Conference. The folks that have gathered are either wrestling with the call to plant,are planting, or are already doing church in a small town. They have driven and flown from 11 states – from CO to PA, MN to MS – in order to grow. What none of us realized was how much encouragement the Lord would pour out on us via the talks, worship, ministry times, and the meal time discussions.

 

2016-05-19 08.05.09
Why listen to these talks?
The best reason I can think of is that each of these speakers is a practitioner – they have actually planted and/or pastored within a small town.

 

Who should listen or watch?
Of course those discerning a call, those already planting, and those pastoring a small town church should listen. But sending pastors and translocal leaders should listen too. We believe it will help you better understand those who are leading in rural America. And besides small town pastors have been listening to big church and big city pastors for years – and we’ve learned a lot! We humbling suggest that our big brothers and sisters could learn a few things from the small town folks!

 


Session 1: An Intro to EDLD with Phil Strout, Vineyard USA National Director

Watch:

Listen:


Session 2: Evangelism in the Small Town with Michael Houle (Valley Vineyard Church) and  Jimm Wood (Hope Vineyard Church)

Watch:

Listen:


Session 3: Discipleship in the Small Town with Ross Nelson (Northwoods Vineyard)

Watch:

Listen:


Session 4: Leadership Development in the Small Town with Luke Geraty (Red Bluff Vineyard) and  Joel Seymour (Lancaster Vineyard)

Watch:

Listen:

 


Session 5: Diversity in the Small Town with Ronnie Higuera (Canyon View Vineyard)

Watch:

Listen:

 

 

Facebook
Twitter
Email
LinkedIn

More to explore