Empower and Equip

In this encouraging episode, Shelby Pinson sits down with long-time minister and professor Tim Gunnels to explore what it truly means to shepherd a small-town congregation with patience and wisdom.
Tim opens up about his personal journey into ministry, including taking a break to care for his aging parents while navigating severe health challenges of his own, before returning to the pulpit at Southside Church of Christ in Shelbyville, Tennessee. He reflects on how entering a tight-knit, slow-paced rural community required a meaningful shift in his leadership style. Rather than charging ahead with quick programs or relying on academic credentials, Tim learned the art of listening deeply, earning trust slowly, and letting new initiatives mature naturally through local elders.The heart of their discussion turns toward spiritual formation and sustainable personal rhythms. Tim shares how stepping back from high-pressure church growth models to embrace simple spiritual disciplines (such as solitude, continuous daily prayer, and living simply) restored his soul after experiencing burnout. Ultimately, he encourages leaders in small towns to slow down, invest genuinely in every individual, and lead from a place of deep, unconditional love.Listen for these three themes in particular:1 | Patience and Discernment Over Quick Fixes: Serving in a close-knit rural community requires leaders to slow down, set aside credentials, and listen far more than they speak. Real progress happens when you honor the local culture and let ideas grow organically through local leadership rather than pushing rapid change.
2 | Sustaining Ministry Through Spiritual Formation: Lasting ministry flows out of *being* rather than constant *doing*. Moving away from primarily program-driven ministry toward simple spiritual disciplines (like solitude, ongoing prayer, and simplicity) prevents burnout and grounds leadership in a genuine relationship with God.
3 | Valuing Every Individual with Unconditional Love: Meaningful impact in a small town isn't about targeting key figures of influence; it's about intentionally connecting with everyone. Taking the time for simple, everyday conversations with youth, church members, and neighbors builds lasting trust and shows love freely.
If you'd like to connect with Tim, reach out to him here: timothygunnells@gmail.com

In this episode, we hear from Brad Roth, a rural Kansas pastor who’s passionate about small-town life and church. He kicks things off by breaking down the common myths we often hear — that rural areas are either perfect "Mayberry" towns or they are dying out. The reality is much more interesting! He points out that only about 6% of folks in these areas actually work in agriculture. Instead, these towns are vibrant hubs for manufacturing, schools, and healthcare.The heart of Brad's message is about abiding — the simple but powerful act of staying put and building real relationships over the long haul. Drawing from the Gospel of Mark, he talks about how Jesus wasn't in a rush and really cared about the specific places he visited. He encourages leaders to worry less about attendance numbers and start looking at how much "goodness" they’re bringing to their neighbors. He also gets honest about burnout, suggesting that we should see ministry as a series of experiments rather than a series of high-stakes tests. By embracing a slower pace and taking time for silence, pastors can stay grounded and remember they are a unique gift to their community.Talking points:Moving Beyond the Myths: Brad reminds us that rural communities are permanent, diverse places. They aren't just "flyover" country or simple farm towns; they are complex environments that need leaders who engage with the real economic and social life happening right now.The Art of Staying Put: True fulfillment often comes down to the theology of abiding. By committing to a place for years, pastors build the deep trust and "stick-to-itiveness" needed to navigate local anxieties and conflicts that might otherwise cause a leader to give up too soon.Redefining Success: Instead of just tracking budgets and pews, Brad challenges churches to ask: "How are we being good to our community?" Shifting the focus to practical kindness and faithfulness creates a much more invitational culture in the long run.
You can contact Brad at:
doxologyproject.com and townsquareco.org

Shelby Coble talks with Josh Tracy about his transition from living in the DFW Metroplex to small-town ministry. He expresses the difference in doing ministry in the two contexts by appreciating how his church community has come together for one another and by wanting to create a culture where everyone is welcome at the table. He wants to encourage his congregation, as well as everyone in the audience, that God has you where you’re at for a reason, use that for God’s glory and for His kingdom.
Email: jtracyccoc@gmail.com

Shelby Coble talks with BJ McMichael, pulpit minister at the Main and Oklahoma Church of Christ in McAlester, Oklahoma, about building intentional relationships by strengthening existing pathways of connection and fostering goodwill. Through the imagery of “table fellowship,” BJ explores how curiosity, attentive listening, and being fully present shape his approach to ministry.

Shelby Coble speaks with Tony Smith about his life and ministry in Kalispell, Montana. Over 20 years of living in Montana, Tony has developed strong relationships with church members and nearby ministries in Kalispell. In addition, his work within the school system has allowed him to build meaningful connections with students and their parents, giving him opportunities to better understand and support the varied situations families face at home.
Email: ynot4give@gmail.com

Shelby Coble and Kevin Hooper discuss how Kevin returned to his hometown and has spent fifteen years serving two congregations. In their conversation, Kevin shares how 17 churches in Washington County, Idaho, partner together through Love INC (Love In the Name of Christ) and highlights the key indicators he looks for when seeking a flourishing community. He also encourages ministers to identify the passions within their congregations and intentionally pursue ways to bring those passions to life.
Email: kevinhooper45@gmail.com

Shelby Coble talks with Shawn Jones about his calling into ministry during his college years and the journey that calling has taken him on. Shawn now serves as the Northwest Regional Director for the Empower and Equip Initiative in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. Drawing on a lifetime of ministry experience, he shares how he guides, supports, and equips ministers and their families serving in rural communities and small towns throughout the Pacific Northwest.

Shelby Coble speaks with Jason Swick, Minister of the Word at Prineville Church of Christ in Oregon, about his journey from electrical engineering into ministry and how both that background and his time as a campus minister shape his leadership today. Jason’s hope for the congregation is to cultivate a culture of intentional prayer, safety, and meaningful connection in response to the epidemic of loneliness in today’s society. By fostering a spirit of experimentation and shared learning, he creates space to try new approaches, grow through the process, and engage both the church and the broader community.
Website: www.prinevillechurch.com 

Shelby Coble interviews Doug Crum about his experience working at Austin Avenue Church of Christ. Doug, who moved from Hobbs, New Mexico, within the past year, shares the opportunities of transitioning to the Brownwood community and highlights how members at Austin Avenue are cultivating relational care beyond structured ministry programs. His longing for the community is to strengthen connections with the hope that strangers can meet and become friends.
Website: www.austinavenue.org

Shelby Coble talks with Andrew Gass about his ministry context in Keizer, Oregon, and his church’s emphasis on community engagement. Andrew shares how they have used the resources they've been blessed with to serve not only the local community, but also other churches throughout the Willamette Valley. He reflects on his ongoing journey of learning what it means to truly live as the body of Christ and encourages leaders to center their identity in Christ.