“If we’re truly not just about our church and more about the kingdom of God, we have to lead with open hands.”

When a leader has their boots on the ground with a realistic outlook on where the church is at, without sacrificing hope, I listen in. Steve McVey is one of those leaders.

He is the Executive Director of the Dirt Roads Network, which exists to transform rural America by planting and revitalizing life-giving churches in small towns and communities. He also is the Missions Pastor at Lamont Wesleyan Church, located in a town of less than 100 people.

This really is a conversation you don’t want to miss. Steve’s honesty and wisdom is refreshing. Listen in!

 

Key Takeaways

1) We should have a “river” mindset instead of a “lake” mindset. This takeaway is powerful. It’s not about collecting as much as it’s about sending.  Steve lives this out intentionally.

2) You are a missionary right where you are. This is a key part of the conversation. “Change in a church should come in response to the call of God, found in prayer, as they embrace their unique mission field.”

3) You are on God’s refrigerator. We celebrate missionaries in a unique way: We pray for them and put their picture on our refrigerator. Small- and rural-church leaders often don’t get celebrated in the same way. But our God views you exactly like that. He is so proud of you.

Links to Resources Mentioned or Related

• Dirt Roads Network

• Read Stalled: Hope and Help for Pastors Who Thought They’d Be There By Now
  

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