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Pastoring Small Towns: Help and Hope for Those Ministering in Smaller Places
Small town life is quite different from life in a big city. There is not as much traffic. People recognize each other at the grocery store. Local sporting events carry a different cultural weight, and it may not be out of the ordinary to wait behind a tractor or get used to the smell of a nearby factory. These communities are unique, and pastoring here is an extraordinary task.
Ronnie Martin and Donnie Griggs are well-aware of this reality. In Pastoring Small Towns , their hope is to equip pastors and ministry leaders to take on the different nuances that come with pastoring smaller communities. They point out the cultural realities of these places and give pastors the tools to effectively engage their people with the Gospel.
Ronnie Martin and Donnie Griggs are well-aware of this reality. In Pastoring Small Towns , their hope is to equip pastors and ministry leaders to take on the different nuances that come with pastoring smaller communities. They point out the cultural realities of these places and give pastors the tools to effectively engage their people with the Gospel.
192 pages, Hardcover
Published April 11, 2023
14 people are currently reading
99 people want to read
About the author
Ronnie Martin
14 books26 followersRonnie Martin is an internationally known Dove Award–nominated recording artist with more than 20 album credits spanning three decades. He is lead pastor of Substance Church in Ashland, Ohio. He lives in Ashland with his wife and daughter.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
June 5, 2023
(Audible). I got introduced to Ronnie Martin through one of my favorite podcasts (The Happy Rant). Having now been pastoring in what could be considered the epitome of a small town (Bloomfield, KY) for the past year, when I heard he was releasing a book under this title I immediately jumped at it.
Nothing super profound in this book (as they willing concede in the introduction). However, their experiences and stories and insights left me feeling validated in many of my doubts and concerns in the past few months. One of the most common attacks I’ve learned that the Devil leverages at small town pastors is the feeling of loneliness; this book combats those feelings of aloneness and reminded me of the sovereignty of God in his placement of shepherds.
Nothing super profound in this book (as they willing concede in the introduction). However, their experiences and stories and insights left me feeling validated in many of my doubts and concerns in the past few months. One of the most common attacks I’ve learned that the Devil leverages at small town pastors is the feeling of loneliness; this book combats those feelings of aloneness and reminded me of the sovereignty of God in his placement of shepherds.
January 20, 2025
Disclosure: read as part of our church’s Elder Continuing Education program.
I’m not entirely sure that the book is as helpful as the authors think it is (at least not for me). They have some excellent reminders and there are some excellent points, which makes it encouraging, but not necessarily helpful.
I feel like there are other books out there that could be more beneficial for small town pastors looking for advice.
I’m not entirely sure that the book is as helpful as the authors think it is (at least not for me). They have some excellent reminders and there are some excellent points, which makes it encouraging, but not necessarily helpful.
I feel like there are other books out there that could be more beneficial for small town pastors looking for advice.
December 4, 2024
I appreciated this book because what it sought to do it did well- offer “help and hope to those ministering in smaller places.”
The chapters, written alternately by Ronnie Martin & Donnie Griggs, were honest evaluations of their experiences in local ministry in smaller communities. Many of the observations had me nodding along- although a town of 25k would be massive to most “small town pastors” I know. The book is not intended to flesh out a theology of church leadership or governance as much as it offers a companion to those already engaged in the day-to-day life of pastoral/pulpit ministry. The chapters that discussed social media as a tool and the hardships of being called to aid in each community tragedy were especially applicable and relatable. The emphasis on the benefits of a patient, slower pace of life, as well as endurance amid rural hardships, was accurate and encouraging.
This book was helpful- not groundbreaking, but a good reminder that others are facing similar challenges and that our hope in God’s grace, even in the smallest places and ministries, is not unfounded.
I would almost call this a “gift book.” It is short, practical, and encouraging based on personal observations and experiences. It is not, nor presented as, a solution or answer for rural America or its many small churches.
The chapters, written alternately by Ronnie Martin & Donnie Griggs, were honest evaluations of their experiences in local ministry in smaller communities. Many of the observations had me nodding along- although a town of 25k would be massive to most “small town pastors” I know. The book is not intended to flesh out a theology of church leadership or governance as much as it offers a companion to those already engaged in the day-to-day life of pastoral/pulpit ministry. The chapters that discussed social media as a tool and the hardships of being called to aid in each community tragedy were especially applicable and relatable. The emphasis on the benefits of a patient, slower pace of life, as well as endurance amid rural hardships, was accurate and encouraging.
This book was helpful- not groundbreaking, but a good reminder that others are facing similar challenges and that our hope in God’s grace, even in the smallest places and ministries, is not unfounded.
I would almost call this a “gift book.” It is short, practical, and encouraging based on personal observations and experiences. It is not, nor presented as, a solution or answer for rural America or its many small churches.
May 2, 2023
A helpful and realistic read. Tribute to the church of Jesus and the faithfulness of God.
April 24, 2023
Small churches can get left out when training new pastors is done. Sometimes, it is because people don't realize how different a small town can be from a larger town or city. Ronnie Martin and Donnie Griggs have done a great job of drawing out how being a pastor in these often rural areas stands out. How it is sometimes harder, but also the benefits that come with it.
I am not a pastor, but I am a deacon at a small church and help some other small churches in the area. That is why I was interested in this book, so that I could better support the pastors I know. It has plenty of helpful information on what to expect and how pastors can serve their congregations. I would recommend this book to anyone that serves at a small town church.
I received a free copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I am not a pastor, but I am a deacon at a small church and help some other small churches in the area. That is why I was interested in this book, so that I could better support the pastors I know. It has plenty of helpful information on what to expect and how pastors can serve their congregations. I would recommend this book to anyone that serves at a small town church.
I received a free copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
July 16, 2024
This book is more of a devotional/ inspirational book than practical. Most chapters focus on establishing a biblical framework for the character of a pastor in a small town and finding value in small town ways of life. Nothing presented is revolutionary, and little was practically applicable. If you're looking for an inspirational book to lift your spirits, this is fine. If you're looking for advice or strategy, I'd look elsewhere.
May 19, 2023
Many people forget about rural areas. Most church resources assume a suburban context, and people often think that if you want to really have an impact, then you need to change the world through urban ministry. Hardly anyone talks or writes about ministering to people in the country, and this book appealed to me as a refreshing departure from that norm. Ronnie Martin is a small town pastor in North Carolina, and Griggs pastors a rural church in Ohio. They share from their experiences throughout this book, encouraging fellow workers and setting expectations for future pastors who may be considering work in a small town.
Honest and Wise
Pastoring Small Towns is honest and helpful. Martin and Griggs share about the unique struggles of leading a small town church, when you are the go-to person for all of the local emergencies, can't measure your success through growth or impressive attendance metrics, feel forgotten in larger discourse about pastoral leadership, and must navigate challenges related to powerful small town families who expect equal influence in the church as in town affairs. Martin and Griggs also reflect on some challenges associated with the pandemic, Christian nationalism, racism, and the opioid crisis. Overall, even though this book is brief, it addresses a lot of important factors in rural ministry and shares powerful, encouraging messages from Scripture about what it means to truly know, love, and shepherd people well.
Martin and Griggs did a great job describing common dynamics without relying on shallow stereotypes, and they grounded things in their personal experience without sharing too many details about their churches. I also found it insightful when one chapter warned against the risk of a pastor falling prey to a sense of celebrity. Since the authors mostly focused on pastors feeling discouraged and isolated in their small places, I thought it was wise that they also warned against the pride and self-importance someone can feel when they're a notable figure in a small town.
On Leadership
My main critique of this book involves the chapter about developing new leaders. That chapter shares great wisdom about mentoring future leaders and dealing with challenges that are unique to or magnified in small towns, but even though it applies more generally, the advice is only oriented towards raising up men who will preach and teach. This neglects men who have no teaching skills but would be wonderful deacons to care for physical and emotional needs, and this neglects women who have leadership skills and can be of great service to the church. Even in the most strictly complementarian contexts, women still teach each other and minister to children, so I found it strange and surprising that there was nothing about female leaders in the leadership chapter.
Even though this book is very brief and can't address every part of church life, there should have been material related to children's ministry and women's ministry. This is a huge omission, because even though some small churches may not have age-specific or gender-specific activities and programs, most will still have something of that nature, and a small-town pastor is far more responsible for overseeing this than he would be in a larger church, where different staff members will have different areas of focus. I wish the authors had addressed what children's ministry and women's ministry look like in rural contexts, how pastors can vet leaders for these callings, and how they can provide ongoing encouragement and healthy oversight.
Conclusion
Pastoring Small Towns is a unique, helpful book for people who are ministering in small towns or considering future jobs in rural areas. The authors are honest, gentle, and insightful, sharing about potential problems with a spirit of grace and warning pastors against common issues that might arise in their own hearts. This book will be helpful for people in a variety of different circumstances, and while the expectation-setting chapters will be the most helpful for new and future pastors, the chapters at the end about endurance will encourage those who have already been serving for a long time. Although this book is brief and limited, it is a thoughtful, unique addition to books about pastoral ministry.
I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Honest and Wise
Pastoring Small Towns is honest and helpful. Martin and Griggs share about the unique struggles of leading a small town church, when you are the go-to person for all of the local emergencies, can't measure your success through growth or impressive attendance metrics, feel forgotten in larger discourse about pastoral leadership, and must navigate challenges related to powerful small town families who expect equal influence in the church as in town affairs. Martin and Griggs also reflect on some challenges associated with the pandemic, Christian nationalism, racism, and the opioid crisis. Overall, even though this book is brief, it addresses a lot of important factors in rural ministry and shares powerful, encouraging messages from Scripture about what it means to truly know, love, and shepherd people well.
Martin and Griggs did a great job describing common dynamics without relying on shallow stereotypes, and they grounded things in their personal experience without sharing too many details about their churches. I also found it insightful when one chapter warned against the risk of a pastor falling prey to a sense of celebrity. Since the authors mostly focused on pastors feeling discouraged and isolated in their small places, I thought it was wise that they also warned against the pride and self-importance someone can feel when they're a notable figure in a small town.
On Leadership
My main critique of this book involves the chapter about developing new leaders. That chapter shares great wisdom about mentoring future leaders and dealing with challenges that are unique to or magnified in small towns, but even though it applies more generally, the advice is only oriented towards raising up men who will preach and teach. This neglects men who have no teaching skills but would be wonderful deacons to care for physical and emotional needs, and this neglects women who have leadership skills and can be of great service to the church. Even in the most strictly complementarian contexts, women still teach each other and minister to children, so I found it strange and surprising that there was nothing about female leaders in the leadership chapter.
Even though this book is very brief and can't address every part of church life, there should have been material related to children's ministry and women's ministry. This is a huge omission, because even though some small churches may not have age-specific or gender-specific activities and programs, most will still have something of that nature, and a small-town pastor is far more responsible for overseeing this than he would be in a larger church, where different staff members will have different areas of focus. I wish the authors had addressed what children's ministry and women's ministry look like in rural contexts, how pastors can vet leaders for these callings, and how they can provide ongoing encouragement and healthy oversight.
Conclusion
Pastoring Small Towns is a unique, helpful book for people who are ministering in small towns or considering future jobs in rural areas. The authors are honest, gentle, and insightful, sharing about potential problems with a spirit of grace and warning pastors against common issues that might arise in their own hearts. This book will be helpful for people in a variety of different circumstances, and while the expectation-setting chapters will be the most helpful for new and future pastors, the chapters at the end about endurance will encourage those who have already been serving for a long time. Although this book is brief and limited, it is a thoughtful, unique addition to books about pastoral ministry.
I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
September 16, 2025
I have spent seasons of my ministry in small town settings - these guys get it. Ronnie Martin and Donnie Griggs speak with knowledge and wisdom to the issues that vex pastors in small towns. They address things like the need for patience, the courage to address the sins of your neighbors, avoiding being prideful, leading alone, and enduring. This brief read is worth the effort.
A few nuggets I mined:
"For pastors in small towns, the loneliness, isolation, and feelings of insignificance run so deep some days that the only thing we have to give our people is our endurance. And sometimes, endurance is more than enough" (146).
"Discipleship is challenging in small towns because many people have assumed they are obedient followers of Jesus based on faulty cultural cues like voting conservative, trying to be a good person, and coming from a family that kept a Bible on the coffee table" (123).
"The lack of support from peers and the absence of metrics that most other pastors rely on to know they are making an impact can be extremely demoralizing" (113).
"Without a doubt, one of the major giants in America that taunts us is political idolatry. Christian nationalism is a Goliath that is keeping too many small-town pastors cowering like the fighting men of Israel. . . . Some are attempting to play the long game of giving the giant of Christian nationalism a wide berth, waiting for it to give up and wander off to pick a fight with someone else. That won't happen. The church is its only target" (66-67).
"A delicate culture exists in small-town communities and churches and that courageous action is usually more methodical than radical" (152).
A few nuggets I mined:
"For pastors in small towns, the loneliness, isolation, and feelings of insignificance run so deep some days that the only thing we have to give our people is our endurance. And sometimes, endurance is more than enough" (146).
"Discipleship is challenging in small towns because many people have assumed they are obedient followers of Jesus based on faulty cultural cues like voting conservative, trying to be a good person, and coming from a family that kept a Bible on the coffee table" (123).
"The lack of support from peers and the absence of metrics that most other pastors rely on to know they are making an impact can be extremely demoralizing" (113).
"Without a doubt, one of the major giants in America that taunts us is political idolatry. Christian nationalism is a Goliath that is keeping too many small-town pastors cowering like the fighting men of Israel. . . . Some are attempting to play the long game of giving the giant of Christian nationalism a wide berth, waiting for it to give up and wander off to pick a fight with someone else. That won't happen. The church is its only target" (66-67).
"A delicate culture exists in small-town communities and churches and that courageous action is usually more methodical than radical" (152).
April 26, 2023
Not only does Pastoring Small Towns give an authentic peek behind the curtain at the pleasure and pain of shepherding God's people in a place where everyone knows everyone, it also explores the posture that is absolutely necessary of any person aspiring to follow God's call into these places. Insightful and relatable for pastors and pastoral candidates, but also valuable for every member of a church congregation (small town or not) for revealing ways in which you can pray for your pastors, partner with them, celebrate their victories, and help to make their burdens a joy. Martin and Griggs know what they're talking about, because they're living it; and their heart for pastoring shines through. Highly recommended.
September 29, 2023
I really enjoyed this book. Martin and Griggs understand the joys and the struggles that pastors experience in small town settings. Having pastored three churches - all of which were in small towns - the book resonated with me. My only concern about the book is that, at times, I felt like I was reading a book about pastoring through a pandemic and pastoring in the midst of a presidential election cycle. I think the insertion of those issues will date the book, and I think the book would have been stronger without the regular reflection on the events of 2020. In offering this friendly critique, I certainly understand why these issues were added to the book.
May 10, 2024
What an encouraging, insightful, and simple book. The authors bring Biblical wisdom to bear on the challenges of pastoring in small towns, and they do so in a very readable way. There’s plenty of practical advice, but the focus is always pointed to our reliance on Christ. I believe this book can strengthen pastors for the work ahead without crushing their spirits. I’m only a pastoral intern, but I found myself graciously challenged on many fronts and offered hope for what needs to change. This would also be insightful for church members to read and consider what their pastors face. All around, an excellent book.
August 23, 2023
I was encouraged and challenged by reading this book. In it that is what you will find, encouragement, exhortation, and hope with a bit of practical advice for the small town pastor. Lord willing, this will be a book I return to. I would like to give it a bonus star for the cover design. This is certainly a book you can judge by its cover.
Thanks, Ronnie and Donnie, for taking the time to write this book.
Thanks, Ronnie and Donnie, for taking the time to write this book.
October 20, 2023
It had some good chapters and some weaker chapters. Being a small town pastor myself I did chuckle because both of them are church planters in a small town, which is much different than pastoring an old established church in a small town. I am not saying it is easier by any means, just that the issues are significantly different. So at times I
didn't feel like they could relate to my experiences of pastoring in a small town.
didn't feel like they could relate to my experiences of pastoring in a small town.
April 19, 2023
Pastoring Small Towns is a good primer on the challenges ministers face in small communities where things move slower and life is more public. Most of the chapters contain good gems of biblical truth and encouragement in several areas of character, wisdom, and spiritual growth. The final chapter is a good reminder to keep on and strive for faithfulness, no matter what life brings.
December 5, 2025
Some sections of the book excelled; other sections were not as beneficial. The book has many sections which will be irrelevant in a few years due to their harping on political issues; however, their challenges to the secret sins of small town pastors will always hold water.
Read it quickly, then come back and reread the good sections.
Read it quickly, then come back and reread the good sections.
May 16, 2023
This book is for more than just pastors in small towns. I found a ton of gospel encouragement and exhortation to shepherd the flock that I think is useful in most contexts. Quick read with wisdom from two humble guys. Grab it.
August 7, 2024
Good, concise, and pastoral—but some chapters were hit-or-miss. It's always a bit strange reading a book in which two authors take turns writing chapters. I found the difference in literary style and approach slightly distracting, and overall enjoyed Ronnie's chapters more than Donnie's.
April 17, 2025
Some helpful sentiments. The authors’ “Never Trump” convictions distracted from the main message at times, which is odd because it’s a book about pastoring in small towns, not about politics. I think there’s plenty of books that accomplish the aim of encouraging pastors much better than this one.
May 12, 2023
Anybody who is serving in a small town church should read this book
June 23, 2023
I did not find Ronnie’s chapters helpful. Donnie’s we’re just okay. “Smalltown Jesus” was his better book for sure.
September 7, 2023
Best book I’ve read this year. Hands down.
It’s “Gentle and Lowly” but for small town pastors.
I felt both encouraged and challenged throughout this book.
It’s “Gentle and Lowly” but for small town pastors.
I felt both encouraged and challenged throughout this book.
October 23, 2024
Soul refreshing and hope giving. I recommend this to all in ministry.
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July 7, 2024Enjoyed this greatly
The last two chapters on endurance should be mandatory reading for church officers.
Most churches are small, and there isn't much glamor or gold in ministry. Well, at least the earthly kind.
A good book to read if discouraged.
The last two chapters on endurance should be mandatory reading for church officers.
Most churches are small, and there isn't much glamor or gold in ministry. Well, at least the earthly kind.
A good book to read if discouraged.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews