LE ADE RSHIP | PR AC TICE
Deep Roots in Small Towns What pastors and churches can do to minister effectively By DINO ESPINOZA
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hen I became the pastor of Templo Emanuel (Assemblies of God) in Crystal City, Texas, I wasn’t looking for a long-term position. I already had 15 years of ministry experience — five years as a pastor and 10 years as a district youth director. I had planned to become a missionary in Mexico or Central America, but I agreed to fill the pulpit at Templo Emanuel for two years. That was 36 years ago. I am still one of about 7,000 people living in this south Texas town. I am still serving the same congregation. And I wouldn’t have it any other way. People often ask me, “How have you managed to stay so long in such a small community?” My answer comes entirely from hindsight. When the Lord brought me here, I just wanted to be faithful. I never imagined this long journey of steady progress in the same place. God has given me great love for this church and community. He has also helped me learn some important ministry principles. I have discovered six things pastors and churches can do to grow deep roots in small towns. The first three are primarily for church leaders, and the other three apply to the church as a whole. (Of course, there is some overlap since every member of the congregation should be involved in ministry inside and outside the church.)
The Pastor First, be willing to change. Over the years, I have changed my personal plans. I have changed my patterns of thinking. I have changed my strategies. I
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have changed many of my preconceived ideas about life and ministry in a small town. At the same time, God has allowed me to keep my passion for the pulpit, my love for lost souls, and my heart for missions. God has given me abundant opportunities to put them to use serving Him and others. With renewed vision and the support of a loving congregation, I am pursuing the Great Commission right where I am. Second, know your community. Our Fellowship has nearly 13,000 churches across the U.S. Each church is in a community with a unique identity, culture, history, and set of challenges. This is true of small-town churches as well. To minister to your community, you need to know and understand it. You also need to participate in it. What initiatives are civic leaders planning? What problems and goals has the local school board identified? How can your congregation partner with them to serve people and meet needs?
