Why Study Appalachia Culture and Values

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Why Study Appalachia Culture and Values

• I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the
  growth.
• (1 Corinthians 36 HCSB)

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Jesus and Culture

• A little later some of the other bystanders came
  over to Peter and said, You must be one of them
  we can tell by your Galilean accent. (Matthew
  2673 NLT) Men of Galilee, the angels said
  (Acts 111)

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Appalachia

• Dorothy, youre not in Kansas (or Louisville)
  anymore.

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Our Culture Identifies Us

• And they were astounded and amazed, saying,
  Look, arent all these who are speaking
  Galileans? (Acts 27 HCSB)

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Appalachian Imagine

• Image Was Developed By
• Media to sell books, magazines, and newspapers
• Government to sell programs
• Missionaries to raise support and funds

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Appalachian Imagine

• Various Views
• Popular National Image
• Official Government Image
• Industrys Longstanding Image
• Churchs Image
• Self Image of Appalachians

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Appalachian Culture and Values

• Those who are sensitive to and utilized
  Appalachian Values are more successful than those
  who are less sensitive or fail to recognize the
  values.
• (Conclusion of a study conducted by WVU)

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The Appalachian Region

• Appalachia lies along the Appalachian mountains,
  which extend from Mississippi to New York, and
  includes three sub-regions.

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The Appalachian Region

• The region was originally inhabited by Native
  Americans
• The name Appalachia comes from the Appalachee
  tribe of Northern Florida
• The geographical region known as Appalachia is
  named after the mountain chain which serves as a
  barrier from the outside world
• The isolation that the mountains bring
  has preserved many traditions

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Pronouncing the Word

• Late 17th century. Formed from Apalachee, the
  name of a Native American people of what is now
  the southeastern United States.
• Appalachian àpp láychee n, àpp lách n
  adjective
• Appalachians àpp láychee nz, àpp lách nz
• Appalachia àpp láychee , àpp lách noun

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Appalachian Mountain Range
Appalachians in North Carolina
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Appalachian Mountain Range

• The Appalachians, about 1,500 miles in length,
  extend from central Alabama in the U.S. up
  through the New England states and the Canadian
  provinces of New Brunswick, Newfoundland and
  Quebec.
• Significant ranges include the Cumberland Mts. in
  Tennessee, the Blue Ridge Mts. in Virginia, the
  Alleghenies in Pennsylvania, the Catskills Mts.
  in New York, the Green Mts. in Vermont and the
  White Mts. of New Hampshire.
• The highest point is Mt. Mitchell in North
  Carolina at 6,684 ft (2,037 meters).

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Appalachian Regional Ministry

• A partnership ministry of the
• North American Mission Board
• Womans Missionary Union
• 11 State Conventions in the 10 State Region of
  Appalachia.

PA
OH
MD
WV
VA
KY
TN
NC
SC
GA
For mission opportunities go to www.arministry.org
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Appalachian Regional Ministry

• 19 million people
• 13 million unchurched
• Poverty
• Spiritual darkness some areas over 90
  unchurched
• Mission Opportunities

PA
OH
MD
WV
VA
KY
TN
NC
SC
GA
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Early History

• During the colonial era, Appalachia was claimed
  by Europeans in search of independence
• Much of the Civil War was fought in Appalachia
• Land was settled by veterans, immigrants, and
  adventurers

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Geography and Economy

• Geography makes farming and industry difficult
• Local economy cannot support the population for
  most of Appalachia

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Geography and Economy

• Despite the natural beauty of the region, tourism
  fails to generate enough profit to offset
  negative economic trends
• The regions traditional economy is based on
  agriculture, extractive industries (coal mining),
  and blue-collar manufacturing jobs

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Northern Section

• Extends from New York into West Virginia and Ohio
• Economic base in steel, coal, and railroad
  transportation
• Reduction in employment has occurred in this
  region

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Central Region

• Includes sixty contiguous counties in Virginia,
  West Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee
• History of the most grinding poverty in America
• Where War on Poverty started and failed
• 3rd. World conditions
• Entitlement mentality

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Southern Region

• Extends from Virginia through the Carolinas and
  into Alabama
• Includes many unique regional folklore traditions
  (Foxfire Series

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Significant influences to the Appalachian Culture

• Northern
• Labor Unions
• Decline of the major industries (steel, chemical)
• Education
• Central
• Migration
• Labor Unions
• Unemployment/Poverty
• Decline of the coal and
  timber industry
• Southern
• Tennessee Valley Authority
• Anti labor union
• Education
• Textile industry

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Appalachian out-migration

• 7 -8 million people migrated from Appalachia
  between 1940-1990
• Most have moved toward industrial centers, auto
  assembly factories in Michigan and Ohio, textile
  mills, banking or high tech jobs in the South
• Brain drain
• Since 1980 Appalachian migration has decreased
  but not stopped

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Traditional Appalachian Identity

• Regional folklore shared with younger generations
• Arts and crafts highlight the regions beauty
• No other large geographic region in the United
  States has so many family members who live their
  lives in proximity to their birthplaces

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Traditional Appalachian Identity

• Extended kinship networks
• Children learn from parents and clan
• Family surname can identify persons and link them
  to a kinship network

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Types of Appalachians

• Native holding on to the past
• Modern changing with the times
• Electronic in touch with the world (www.)
• Displaced lives outside of Appalachia, heart
  still back home
• Returned one who moves back home at retirement
  or job lost
• Adopted moved to the region and now calls it
  home
• Hidden from Appalachia, relocated out of the
  region and keeps their roots a secret

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1960s War on Poverty

• Attitude toward poverty was simplistic if a
  region is destitute, give it goods, services and
  infrastructure
• JFK initiated War on Poverty in 1963
• LBJ implemented the program

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War on Poverty

• The Community Action Program sent volunteers into
  the region
• The Federal Government poured money into the
  region
• Social programs such as welfare relief, public
  works projects and subsidies to industries were
  implemented

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Poverty Wins the War

• Rather than investing in education, businesses,
  and other income-generating concerns, federal aid
  was used to finance more consumption and more
  children
• Welfare and state aid become dominant source of
  income
• Despite efforts the region lacked
  entrepreneurship and education

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Poverty Wins the War

• Today 37 of the 100 poorest counties in the USA
  are in Central Appalachia. 27 of the counties
  are in Eastern Kentucky which has the poorest of
  the poor.

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The 10 Minute Window

• When you travel the Interstate system through
  Appalachia you see one world, progressive
  Appalachia travel 10 minutes on either side of
  the Interstate and you often see the other side
  of Appalachia.

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Effective ministry means

• Know the area you will be serving
• The history
• Demographics
• Economy
• Poverty/Literacy
• Religious history and background
• Make a long-term commitment

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Education

• Many schools often lack basic supplies
• Because much of the population is poor,
  Appalachian states have lower tax revenues
• This results in less funding for schools and
  substandard education

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Literacy

• Level I II estimates of literacy Kentucky 54
  Georgia 54 Ohio 45 North Carolina 52 South
  Carolina 56 Tennessee 53 Virginia 47 and
  West Virginia 56. The national average is 47.
• In the heart of Central Appalachia, some areas
  are over 80 of Level I II.
• Level I estimate of literacy Kentucky 19
  Georgia 23 Ohio 18 North Carolina 22 South
  Carolina 25 Tennessee 21 Virginia 19 and
  West Virginia 20.

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Religion

• Key feature autonomous, regionalized
  sub-denominations of Christian religions
• Regional churches tend not to be involved with
  centralized religions
• They often follow a literal interpretation of the
  Bible
• The King James Version is still the translation
  of choice for the majority

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Religion

• Most churches place a great importance on
  religious experience, especially in relation to
  conversion
• Life extremely hard - the sense of independence
  carries over into their religious experience
• Works
• Emotional
• Spirit lead
• Lay lead

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Religion

• Wesleyan-Armenian/Pentecostal influence
• Roman Catholic influence
• Church of Christ influence
• Baptist in Appalachia may not mean the same
  thing that it means in the Bible Belt states.
• In parts of Appalachia, many SBC churches are
  Southern Baptist for convenience or tradition not
  out of conviction.
• Be careful about talking negative about other
  faith groups
• In many rural areas Baptecostal would be a good
  descriptive term

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Religion

• In Central Appalachia
• Denominations are irrelevant
• Religious tradition often takes place over
  Scripture and dogma
• One out of three unchurched have been previously
  churched
• Salvation is equated to simply believing in Jesus

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Music

• Strong folk tradition
• Churches are very influential no explicit lyrics
• Country/Bluegrass influence
• Prevalence of white country gospel music
• Square dancing is a common form of entertainment

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Music

• Music within the church community is changing
• The change has brought challenges, pain, life,
  division,
• Today you will find a wide variety of styles of
  music
• Music style will govern worship style

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Factors to Remember When Ministering in Appalachia

• Culture (particularly the area where you will be
  serving)
• Poverty
• Education (yours may not be important to them)
• Literacy levels
• Religious background
• Music

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Twelve Values Common to Appalachians

• Values you need to know to do effective ministry
  in Appalachia.

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Twelve Values Common to Appalachians

• Traditionalism or Heritage a Strong Love of
  Tradition.
• love of things as they are. Change comes slowly.
  There is a need for process time.
• Strong sense of family or Familism
• family centered loyalty runs deep
  responsibility may extend beyond immediate
  family "blood is thicker than water."
  Relationships are very important. High value
  placed on good neighbors.

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Twelve Values Common to Appalachians

• Neighborliness and Hospitality - help each other
  out, but suspicious of strangers spontaneous to
  invite people for a meal, to spend the night,
  etc.
• People are friendly, but not open to strangers.
• Trust is important. Tend not to ask your advice
  until they trust you.
• Relationships are important and deep
  relationships are developed slowly and last a
  lifetime.

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Four Cups Of Coffee Rule

• I will share a cup of coffee with you out of
  obligation.

I will share a cup of coffee with you my guest.
I will share a cup of coffee with you my special
guest.
I will share a cup of coffee with you as a friend.
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Twelve Values Common to Appalachians

• Love of Place - never forget "back home" and go
  there as often as possible it is revitalizing
  sometimes stay in places where there is no hope
  of maintaining decent lives because it is home.

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Twelve Values Common to Appalachians

• Individualism, Self-Reliance, Pride - most
  obvious characteristics look after oneself
  solitude freedom do things for oneself not
  wanting to be beholding to others make do
• Strong Work Ethic
• Courage
• We consider our way to be the best
• If we have to do it your way, then after you
  leave we will undo it

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Twelve Values Common to Appalachians

• Personalism - relates well to others go to great
  lengths to keep from offending others getting
  along is more important than letting one's
  feelings be known think in terms of persons
  rather than degrees or professional reputations

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Twelve Values Common to Appalachians

• Modesty and Being Oneself - believe one should
  not put on airs be oneself, not a phony don't
  pretend to be something you're not or be
  boastful don't get above your raising
• Sense of Beauty - displayed through music,
  folksongs, poems, arts, crafts, etc., colorful
  language metaphors (Im as nervous as a
  long-tailed cat in a roomful of rocking chairs.)

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Twelve Values Common to Appalachians

• Sense of Humor - seem dour, but laugh at
  ourselves do not appreciate being laughed at
  humor sustains people in hard times. Humor is
  often used to cover up personal pain, disappoint,
  or distrust. Humor can be filled with sarcasm
• Strong sense of solidarity - Stick, together,
  even if you disagree, express yourself but stand
  together

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Twelve Values Common to Appalachians

• Strong sense of Patriotism - goes back to Civil
  War times flag, land, relationships are
  important shows up in community celebration and
  festivals

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Twelve Values Common to Appalachians

• Strong Religious Beliefs - values and meaning to
  life spring from religious sources fatalistic
  (outside factors control one's life, fate,
  believe things happen for a reason and will work
  out for the best) sustains people in hard times

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Factors that Impact Ministry in Appalachia

• Geographical/Terrain of the state travel is
  measured in time not miles. Creates a type of
  isolation in the remote, rural areas
• Literacy depending on the area between 50 to
  80 of the adult population cannot read on an 8th
  grade level (functionally illiterate). /- 20
  below a 3rd grade level.

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Factors that Impact Ministry in Appalachia

• Economic issues
• Poverty 37 of the 100 poorest counties in the
  USA are in Central Appalachia
• 1 out of 5 children go to bed hungry every night
• Low income way below the national average

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Factors that Impact Ministry in Appalachia

• Love of the family atmosphere churches tend to
  be smaller than in other areas
• Strong love for autonomy, for independence
• Distrust of denominations control matters,
  denominations tends to believe that one size fits
  all. Exercise outside influence which is
  resisted and resented

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Factors that Impact Ministry in Appalachia

• Strong Wesleyan Arminian Holiness
  Pentecostal influence on one hand and the strong
  Arminian Baptist (do not believe in eternal
  security) influence on the other hand
• Strong belief in the KJV Bible
• Love of free worship - music
• Lack of indigenous pastors

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Factors that Impact Ministry in Appalachia

• Population shifts and declining towns
• Migration over the past 50 years has led to a
  serious decline in many areas.
• US Census projects flatten growth through 2025 in
  many part of central and northern Appalachia
• Priority your priority may not be my priority.
  I will say yes to you and either not show up or
  fail to participate.

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Factors that Impact Ministry in Appalachia

• Titles/Professionalism in the church are frowned
  upon
• Aging Population/High level of disability
• 52 to 58 of the senior adults are primary
  caregivers for their grandchildren.
• High level of disability

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Factors that Impact Ministry in Appalachia

• Population is a stew or mosaic not a melting pot
  with some exceptions in the remote areas. Be
  careful what you say about other ethic groups.
• German
• Italian
• Coalfields Scot-Irish, Welsh
• Polish
• European
• African American
• Native American
• Asian
• Hispanic

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Factors that Impact Ministry in Appalachia

• Event driven/project
• Stewardship is project/need driven
• Matriarchal society above average female
  pastors across the state in most denominations.
  Long history of female pastors and leadership in
  churches.

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Factors that Impact Ministry in Appalachia

• Religious associations historically were formed
  for the purpose of fellowship. Hierarchy and
  control real or perceived is resisted.
• Entitlement mentality you owe me.

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Preaching in Appalachia

• Bill Barker, Director
• Appalachian Regional Ministry

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Pastoring in the Mountains

• Too many non-indigenous pastors leave the
  mountains wounded, misunderstood, sometimes
  feeling abused, having never felt accepted by
  those he was called to pastor.

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Get to Know Your Church Field

• The culture
• The Demographics
• The past religious history
• What is the predominate religious influence
• Faith group/denomination
• What is the Biblical understanding or literacy
  level of your church field

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8 Marks for any Discussion of Appalachian Religion

• Puritanical behavior patterns or
  legalism/holiness (external rules)
• Fundamentalists views of the Bible and doctrine
• King James Bible
• Little distinction between clergy and laity

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8 Marks for any Discussion of Appalachian Religion

• Sectarian concepts of the church and its mission
  (Isolation)
• Revivalism - emotion
• Informality in worship testify (bear witness)
  when you want
• Local church autonomy/opposition to centralized
  authority of the church.

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10 Factors That Affect Pastoring in the Mountains

• Appalachian Culture a distinctive subculture in
  American.
• Divided into sub-cultures, often along ethic lines

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10 Factors That Affect Pastoring in the Mountains

• Educational Level varies across the state
• Good teacher, aint much of a preacher!
• Factors that impact literacy
• Economics
• Family Unit
• Geographical/Isolation

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10 Factors That Affect Pastoring in the Mountains

• Distrust of outsiders furriners
• Historically Central Appalachia has been treated
  as a Third World County (controlled by outside
  interest)
• Absentee corporate ownership
• Outside attitude
• Reflected in media
• Reflected by government
• Reflected by religion

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10 Factors That Affect Pastoring in the Mountains

• Out-migration
• 1950 2000 steady decline in population
• Resulted in a brain drain
• Impact on churches (aging congregation)

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10 Factors That Affect Pastoring in the Mountains

• Automation
• Industry higher production, few employees
• Shift out of the state
• Union and Politics
• Leave your union views and political views out
  of the pulpit.

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10 Factors That Affect Pastoring in the Mountains

• Economics
• It is hard to get poor people in church.
• The higher the poverty, the higher the
  unchurched.
• Great divide between the haves and the
  have-nots.

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10 Factors That Affect Pastoring in the Mountains

• Change
• Television
• Internet
• Social change
• Economic change
• Communities disintegrating
• Churches aging, closing, dysfunctional
• Music and Bible Translations

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10 Factors That Affect Pastoring in the Mountains

• Religious culture
• Good people, but lost without Jesus.
• Family
• Respect and utilize holidays
• Respect the elderly
• Reach the children
• Be prepared to deal with shackn up issues

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10 Things To Remember When Pastoring in the
Mountains

• Get to know your people
• Visit in their homes, eat their food, drink their
  coffee
• Visit, visit, visit and visit some more
• Build relationships

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10 Things To Remember When Pastoring in the
Mountains

• Identify with your people
• In dress
• Hunting
• Fishing
• NASCAR
• Housing
• School
• Community events
• If you are planning to Home School

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Remember!

• People dont care how much you know until they
  know how much you care!

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10 Things To Remember When Pastoring in the
Mountains

• Respect your peers preachers and faith groups
• Historically many rural preachers have lacked
  formal training, but they are not ignorant of the
  Bible.
• To be college and seminary trained is not seen as
  being Holy Spirit taught.

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From Eastern Kentucky

• My preaching career in area churches during my
  16 years at the ministry where I serve has taught
  me that as a seminary graduate, its almost
  impossible for me to get down as far as I need to
  go to really communicate with mountain people.
  Its a daunting calling. (Michael Spencer
  March 2008)

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10 Things To Remember When Pastoring in the
Mountains

• As a norm most Appalachians enjoy free worship
  with strong lay participation.
• Strong independent mindset
• Most Appalachians enjoy preaching with some
  animation (life) in it.

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10 Things To Remember When Pastoring in the
Mountains

• Preaching often centers around storytelling,
  therefore illustrations are important.
• Illustrations are windows
• Use current illustrations
• Use personal illustrations
• Use I, we, us but never you.

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10 Things To Remember When Pastoring in the
Mountains

• Leave the Greek and Hebrew in the study and out
  of the pulpit
• The omission of phrases like the Greek says,
  are best left unsaid.
• Such phrases say to the hearer, Im smarter than
  you.

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10 Things To Remember When Pastoring in the
Mountains

• Topical vs. Expository Preaching
• Topical preaching has been the mainstay in many
  rural mountain churches
• Few congregations move beyond the pastors
  ability to communicate effectively doctrine,
  Bible knowledge, etc.
• Storyline preaching is powerful

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10 Things To Remember When Pastoring in the
Mountains

• However, do not be afraid of Expository Preaching
• There are different models
• John MacArthur verse by verse
• Charles Spurgeon passage
• Charles Swindoll mixture of the above build
  around a topic
• Use in a series of 4 to 8 week cycles

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10 Things To Remember When Pastoring in the
Mountains

• Give them Hope Build Upon Christ

Jesus did not preach a gospel with minimum
requirements. Jesus came preaching the Kingdom
of God and inviting ordinary people to be apart
of it.
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10 Things To Remember When Pastoring in the
Mountains

• Do not underestimate the impact of TV Preachers
  and the Internet
• Can be the source of false doctrine
• Can raise the bar of expectations for your
  preaching
• Be careful about using the other mans material

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Overwhelmed?

• Be a man. Get your hands dirty go hunting do
  something with men, build your church on men .
  When you use personal illustrations consider
  using those that cast yourself as the goat not
  the hero Love your people and know they arent
  dumb When you preach, do it with enthusiasm and
  emotion.
• (Glen Mathews Evangelist)

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10 Guiding Principles for Pastoring in the
Mountains

• Remember KISS
• Keep It Short and Simple
• Always take your people to Jesus
• Sir, we would see Jesus (John 1221)
• Be yourself using the gifts and skills God has
  given you

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10 Guiding Principles for Pastoring in the
Mountains

• Keep your spiritual life fresh
• Prayer
• Bible Reading
• Bible Study
• Other reading
• Jealously guard your personal time with God

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10 Guiding Principles for Pastoring in the
Mountains

• Never stop learning
• Continuing education is important
• Use the internet, correspondence, seminars
• Keep your preaching Fresh and Relevant
• However, leave the study in the study

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10 Guiding Principles for Pastoring in the
Mountains

• Plan your Preaching
• Christian calendar
• Christmas
• Easter
• Church calendar
• Homecoming
• Denomination calendar
• Missions
• Evangelism
• Secular calendar
• Mothers Day
• Fathers Day

Mark sure you allow for the local church and
community events that often go unmentioned. Be
flexible.
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10 Guiding Principles for Pastoring in the
Mountains

• Let the Holidays and Special Events work for you.
  Involve your people

• 4th of July
• VBS Sunday
• Homecoming
• Labor Day
• Harvest Day
• Labor Day

• Christmas
• New Years
• Easter
• Mothers Day
• Memorial Day
• Fathers Day

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10 Guiding Principles for Pastoring in the
Mountains

• Be Evangelistic in your Preaching
• Do not be afraid to share the gospel
• Learn to incorporate the gospel into every
  message
• Preach to a Point and Make your Invitation Clear
• A good invitation starts during the introduction
  of the message

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Preach the Word

• Preach the word of God. Be persistent, whether
  the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct,
  rebuke, and encourage your people with good
  teaching.
• (2 Timothy 42 NLT)

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Southern Baptists in Appalachia

• Some places trusted and respected
• Others see us as one step above the Jehovah
  Witnesses and one step below the Mormons.
• Still other areas do not have a clue who we are

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Working with the Appalachian Church

• Use Common Sense
• Trust and Respect must be earned.
• Dont be fooled by the surface friendliness
• Keeping Appointments
• Your priority may not be my priority
• Conflict
• Often will talk to a mutual friend
• Offending one member can impact the whole church
  (family)

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Working with the Appalachian Church

• Humor
• Humor is often used to cover up pain,
  disappointment, fear
• Inter-family Relationships
• Literacy education (view of)
• Role of women in the church
• More of a central Appalachia issue
• Female pastors
• Deaconess

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Working with the Appalachian Church

• Be patient
• Emphasize the Family
• Will the Circle Be Unbroken
• Work with the existing leadership
• Remember Your perception of a lack of
  leadership may not be theirs.
• Do not impose your ideas of church on them until
  you have earned the right.

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Working with the Appalachian Church

• Help them discover core values
• Biblical
• Baptist
• Make change slowly
• Work through the existing leadership
• Trust their judgment
• Allow for process time

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Working with the Appalachian Church

• Teach them how to deal with conflict
• Allow for toot time
• Learn their language/culture
• Accept the fact that you may never know why
• Pay your rent

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Working with the Appalachian Church

• The Small-Medium Church
• Single Cell acts like one big family
• Sense of Family feel they are part of a family.
  
• Greatest fear is the lost of their sense of
  family if the church were to grow.
• Allows for Quicker Involvement
• The feeling of being needed motivates members to
  become involved.

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Working with the Appalachian Church

• The Small-Medium Church
• Informal Environment
• Much loving and caring
• Absentees are missed by everyone
• Heavy Reliance upon volunteers
• Giving is project driven not budget driven
• Participation means more than performance

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Working with the Appalachian Church

• The Small-Medium Church
• Limited Entrance Points
• Usually limited to pastor and members
  (relationships)
• Focuses on One Event at a Time
• In the small church, one per quarter
• Revival
• Vacation Bible School
• Homecoming
• Thanksgiving/Christmas

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Working with the Appalachian Church

• The Small-Medium Church
• Pastor May or May Not have a Great Impact
• Usually have a strong lay leadership
• Pastor is usually best described as the Chaplain
  or Preacher.
• Lay Leadership
• Usually one or two strong lay leaders.
• Business is usually decided in informal settings
  outside the business meetings

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Working with the Appalachian Church

• The Small-Medium Church Limitations
• Limited Programs
• Inadequate Evangelism evangelism and
  discipleship may not be a priority
• Event Driven
• Survival Finances
• Tough Crusted Lay Leadership
• Rapid Pastoral Turnover
• High Demand of Pastors Time

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Working with the Appalachian Church

• The Small-Medium Church Limitations
• Inadequate Facilities space is limited
• Smallness Breeds Smallness in a comfort zone.
  Small Groups Become too Intimate
• Reputation strife among the membership will
  impact their witness
• Older Membership
• Many Communities in the Appalachia are not growing

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Working Within The Boundaries or Limitations
Difficult To Engage In Evangelism, Outreach, and
Discipleship OR Maybe Not
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Working Within The Boundaries or Limitations
Difficult To Engage In Evangelism, Outreach, and
Discipleship OR Maybe Not
New Members
Back Door
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Church Planters

• Make sure you are called
• Indigenous sons work best
• Study the area where you are called
• Learn the culture
• In many areas be prepared to serve bi-vocational

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Church Planters

• Seek the person of peace
• Become acquainted with the local spiritual leader
• Build relationships
• Get out among the community
• Be a soul-winner
• Use volunteers

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