Rural Ministry Educator, Consultant, Writer
As a rural theologian and educator, I offer courses to help clergy, laity, and churches explore the potentials of their rural places.
I work with theological schools, continuing education programs, regional denominational organizations, churches, and individuals.
Rusty Water Towers: A Blog About Rural Theology, Ministry, and Creativity
Sanctified Gossip
The story of the woman at the well from John Chapter 4 is a story I used to find annoying. I think, because it was an overdone story about Jesus being Jesus. It gets overused as a salvation story for a way of life that is no longer feels like an issue. Women, in general,Continue reading “Sanctified Gossip”
It bears repeating…
One thing rural communities rely on is repetition. Repetition creates consistency, memory, and tradition. This repetition matters, whether it is football of Fridays in the fall, the festival on the first weekend of May, or knowing who to call when someone in the community dies to get the prayer and meal train going. I’ve learnedContinue reading “It bears repeating…”
“Heavy dreams are for toting around”
Mighty long shifts are for workingHeavy dreams are for toting aroundLet’s pretend there’s a place to goWhere I can lay this hacksaw down. Zack Bryan, “Quiet Heavy Dreams” This lyric gives some language to my feelings as of late. The past couple of years (not just the pandemic, but life itself) has been a mightyContinue reading ““Heavy dreams are for toting around””
Jonathan LeMaster-Smith 