Shows
The Rural Church Podcast 2.0Merry Christmas! The God Who SingsMerry Christmas from The Rural Church Podcast! This Christmas Day here is an additional episode for you. Listen to this sermon from December 2, 2018 from Pastor Allen Nelson on Zephaniah 3:17.
2025-12-2533 minThe Rural Church Podcast 2.0The King in the CradleThis week's episode is from Isaiah 9:6, preached by Pastor Allen Nelson on 12/21/25 in the evening service of Providence Baptist Church. ProvidenceBaptistAR.com.
2025-12-2342 minThe Rural Church Podcast 2.0Reformation Day!RCP 2.0 Special! In celebration of Reformation Month we are releasing 4 episodes in the next two weeks (Wednesday and Thursday* each week). This is episode 4 of 4 and is obviously on a *Friday. These episodes feature past teachings of Pastor Allen Nelson on the Reformation. This one comes from a Sunday School lecture in 2021 when Reformation Day and the Lord's Day fell on the same day.
2025-10-3140 minThe Rural Church Podcast 2.0Katy Von BoraRCP 2.0 Special! In celebration of Reformation Month we are releasing 4 episodes in the next two weeks (Wednesday and Thursday* each week). This is episode 3. These episodes feature past teachings of Pastor Allen Nelson on the Reformation. This one comes from a Sunday School lecture on Katirina Von Bora. *In light of Reformation Day being on a Friday, Episode 4 of this special series will release that day!
2025-10-2931 minThe Rural Church Podcast 2.0Special Episode: Reformation MonthRCP 2.0 Special! In celebration of Reformation Month we are releasing 4 episodes in the next two weeks (Wednesday and Thursday each week). This is the 2nd of these 4. These episodes feature past teachings of Pastor Allen Nelson on the Reformation. This one comes from the sermon Pastor Allen Preached on the Reformation at Providence Baptist Church in 2016 when it was still known as Perryville Second Baptist and was then aligned with the SBC.
2025-10-2329 minThe Rural Church Podcast 2.0What is the Reformation and Why Does it Matter?RCP 2.0 Special! In celebration of Reformation Month we are releasing 4 episodes in the next two weeks (Wednesday and Thursday each week). These episodes feature past teachings of Pastor Allen Nelson on the Reformation. This one comes from a Sunday School lecture in 2017 celebrating 500 years of the Reformation.
2025-10-2246 minThe Rural Church Podcast 2.0Episode 123: The Bluegrass BaptistIn this episode, Pastor Allen interviews Pastor Joseph Allen of Grace Community Baptist Church in Danville, KY. They talk about Joseph's view of the church and getting to know him and his work in Kentucky. Stay tuned for part 2 of this episode in 2 weeks!
2025-06-2532 minThe Rural Church Podcast 2.0DEBATE AUDIO: Does the Roman Catholic Church Deny the Gospel?Here is the full audio from the 5/22/25 Debate between Pastor Allen S. Nelson and Catholic Priest Stephen Hart. There was a 3 minute intermission between the debate and the Q&A that was deleted. Everything else is the full recording. To see this on YouTube go here: https://www.youtube.com/live/-dgcJNWJH4E
2025-05-282h 08The Rural Church Podcast 2.0Episode 111: The Nelson Family Loves the ChurchA rare episode! Pastor Allen sits down with his family on a cold, snowy February evening to talk about Providence Baptist Church, why we love it, and why having a healthy church is worth it... Tune in and meet the fam!
2025-03-2637 minThe Rural Church Podcast 2.0Episode 90: Life After Postmillennialism (An Interview with Jon Speed)Allen Nelson is joined by Pastors Jonathan Murdock and Jon Speed to explore Jon’s current eschatological shift from Postmillennialism to Amillennialism. They’ll dive into some of the challenges within certain segments of Postmillennialism today and discuss why these eschatological views matter for the local church.
2024-10-091h 14The Rural Church Podcast 2.0Wait and Hope: An Interview with Jacob TannerAllen Nelson interviews Jacob Tanner on his new book, Wait and Hope: Puritan Wisdom for Joyful Suffering (Reformation Heritage Books). Jacob was on the RCP 2.0 back in April discussing his biography of John Bunyan: https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/BOuMOV5HOLb. You can find his new book here: https://www.heritagebooks.org/products/wait-and-hope-tanner.html. At the end of the Episode Jacob and Allen discuss the conference they will be preaching at on August 31. More info here: https://theartofworship.net/gtconference2024/
2024-08-2142 minThe Rural Church Podcast 2.0The Mission of the ChurchIn this week's episode, Pastor Allen Nelson gives a brief overview to his local church at Providence Baptist Church in Perryville, AR on what is the mission of the church. This talk was from October 2023 after he returned from a September trip to Chiapas and Tabasco Mexico.
2024-08-1422 minThe Rural Church Podcast 2.0A Church at the CrossroadsToday, July 24, 2024, is the two-year anniversary of this message, A Church at the Crossroads. This message was preached by Pastor Allen Nelson at Perryville Second Baptist Church (now Providence Baptist) about the need for Biblical reformation. We hope it encourages you and helps you along your journey towards a healthy church! Eddie and Allen will be coming of their Summer Break soon...
2024-07-241h 12The Rural Church Podcast 2.0The Covenant of RedemptionThis episode comes from a Wednesday Night teaching series on Baptist Covenant Theology. Pastor Allen Nelson walks us through the Covenant of Redemption and why it matters.
2024-07-1742 minThe Rural Church Podcast 2.0Episode 78: The Law Amendment and SBC 2024Ecclesiology matters. Eddie and Allen discuss the Mike Law Amendment and the SBC Annual Meeting coming up in June of 2024. Why does this matter to evangelicalism? What hath the SBC to do with the Great Commission?
2024-05-2246 minThe Rural Church Podcast 2.0Episode 77: The Pastor's HeartWhat makes a good pastor, evangelist, deacon? In this episode, Eddie and Allen discuss why brothers must care about serving the local church. Every pastor needs the heart of an evangelist. Every evangelist needs the heart of a pastor. This isn't the day for more platforms. We need more godly pastors!
2024-05-0836 minThe Rural Church Podcast 2.0Episode 76: Confessing Your Sins One to AnotherChrist is worthy of healthy churches! Party of what that looks like is churches obeying what the Bible has to say about church life. In this week's episode Eddie and Allen jump into James 5:16 and talk about what it means to confess your sins to one another in the local church.
2024-05-0144 minThe Rural Church Podcast 2.0Why We are Baptists (Part 2)This is Part 2 in a 2-Part series on why Baptists are right when it comes to the proper mode and subjects of baptism. Part 1 aired on 2/14/24. Originally, this was going to go next, but we moved some things around... Disclaimer: In no way does this mean we think only Baptists are going to heaven! Eddie and Allen have grown so much over the years learning from non-Baptists who love the Lord. Nevertheless, this is an important doctrine and all believers would do well to make sure they get this right.
2024-04-2447 minThe Rural Church Podcast 2.0Episode 75: 2024 Solar Eclipse RecapEddie and Allen discuss the "thousands" of people that came in for the eclipse and how evangelism and ministry went during that time. This episode is filled with practical tips and encouragement for evangelism and fellowship between local churches. To listen to the messages from the Eclipse meetings at Providence Baptist Church, go here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNI1Lwgu0Js&list=PLZkGXeKWedWH12qgWJrWQfZMnJTdepnsV
2024-04-1743 minThe Rural Church Podcast 2.0Christ is Worthy of a Healthy ChurchEvery local church must be regulated by the Scriptures. In this episode, Pastor Allen discusses briefly an instance in his past where he came to see this experientially, and then we get into a sermon he preached on this subject in October of 2022 at Beryl Baptist Church in Vilonia, AR. This message should both encourage and challenge us in the days ahead.
2024-04-101h 00The Rural Church Podcast 2.0Episode 74: The Tinker's ProgressOn this week's episode, Allen interviews Pastor Jacob Tanner about his new book, The Tinker's Progress: The Life and Times of John Bunyan. Jacob and Allen discuss the importance of biography and, specifically, the life and legacy of a man like John Bunyan and why he still matters to the church today. Grab the book here: https://www.christianfocus.com/products/3109/the-tinkers-progress
2024-04-0338 minThe Rural Church Podcast 2.0Episode 73: Are you Phinehas or Zimri?Eddie and Allen discuss Eddie's recent trip to the Ligonier Conference as well as his experience in a Lutheran service. Then the guys turn to Numbers 25 to look at the story of Phinehas and Zimri and the application this has today to local churches and even conventions and denominations.
2024-03-2745 minThe Rural Church Podcast 2.0Episode 72: God is EnoughThrowback! Eddie and Allen take you back to the Rural Church Podcast 1.0. One of their favorite episodes: An interview with the one and only, Prissy Wallace. Ms. Prissy is a faithful Christian women, never married, blind from Type 1 Diabetes, and currently in her 70s. You will be blessed by this episode. Originally recorded in September 2017.
2024-03-201h 05The Rural Church Podcast 2.0Episode 71: Paedocommunion, Paedobaptism, and Baptist Covenant TheologyEddie and Allen head to the pub. NOT A REAL PUB! The guys interact with a post on the Reformed Pub from Facebook regarding paedocommunion. This gets them into a discussion on paedobaptism, credobaptism, and Baptist Covenant Theology. We hope this is a helpful episode and encourages you to Baptist even harder! Soli Deo Gloria
2024-03-1341 minThe Rural Church Podcast 2.0Episode 70: RevivalEddie and Allen discuss the upcoming solar eclipse in April 2024 and how their churches plan to do evangelism. Then they get into a discussion on what is revival, why should we seek it, and how should churches seek it. They also mention Founders 2025 conference on Revival. More information to that conference can be found here: https://founders.org/conference
2024-02-2846 minThe Rural Church Podcast 2.0Episode 69: Church DisciplineSadly, church discipline is an oft-neglected aspect of church life, particularly in the Bible Belt. What is church discipline? Why and how should it be practiced? What should you do if it's not? In this week's episode, Eddie and Allen tackle these practical questions and more about church discipline. You can listen to Allen's sermon on this subject here: https://providencebaptistar.com/imi_sermon/a-disciplined-church/
2024-02-2149 minThe Rural Church Podcast 2.0Why We are Baptists (Part 1)In the year of our Lord, 2024, we are still Baptists. In this episode, we hear a sermon from co-host Allen Nelson from Ephesians 4 on the biblical meaning of baptism. We are grateful for our brothers and sisters who see this issue differently. Nevertheless, we feel this is an important subject.
2024-02-1449 minThe Rural Church Podcast 2.0Episode 68: HellEddie and Allen pick up a sobering but crucial subject when it comes to the Scriptures: Hell. The Bible teaches a literal, conscious, eternal, hell for unbelievers. The guys jump into this doctrine as well as how to preach it in our churches.
2024-02-0736 minThe Rural Church Podcast 2.0Episode 67: Canceling ChurchAre there ever any good reasons to "cancel" church? On this week's episode of the Rural Church Podcast, Eddie and Allen tackle this issue amid a snowstorm! Kinda. Why should Christians value Sundays? What about Wednesday Nights? This and more in Episode 67...
2024-01-3138 minThe Rural Church Podcast 2.0Episode 66: Physical FitnessWhat kind of importance should believers place on physical fitness? Eating right? Exercise? Eddie and Allen tackle this subject in this episode of the Rural Church Podcast 2.0. While we must not make fitness an idol, most of us can stand to improve in these areas. Listen in to this episode and feel free to offer your feedback!
2024-01-2438 minThe Rural Church Podcast 2.0Benjamin Keach on Gospel Peace in the Local ChurchIn this episode, Allen reads to us a sermon preached by Particular Baptist Pastor, Benjamin Keach (1640-1704). This sermon deals with the duties of church members and pastors to actively and tangibly strive for true peace together in the local church and with Christians outside their local church as well. A timely message for today!
2024-01-1734 minThe Rural Church Podcast 2.0Episode 65: Smelling Like SheepWhat should a faithful pastor smell like? A strange question! Yet, biblically, we see that pastors are called shepherds. The idea is that these men should be shepherding God's flock which involves more than only preaching on Sundays. Listen in as Eddie and Allen discuss what it looks like to actually spend time with the sheep. This is an exhortation needed for both pastors and church members, and practical tips are given to both.
2024-01-1038 minThe Rural Church Podcast 2.0Affinity Based Churches (From the Archives!)This episode is from November 27, 2017, on the original Rural Church Podcast. Listen in as a bit younger Eddie and Allen discuss the failure of the "affinity" and "attractional" based model of the local church. Here is the original episode description:
"Cowboy Church, Biker Church, Outdoor Church, Race Car Church, Gamer Church, Hipster Church, and the list goes on and on and on. Is there anything wrong with the 'affinity' based church movement? Should churches seek to 'attract' people to their main gathering using something other than the gospel? On this week's episode, Eddie and Allen tackle these...
2024-01-031h 00The Rural Church Podcast 2.0Episode 64: Year End Review and Exhortation to Bible ReadingWell, it's pretty much like the title says. Eddie and Allen go over some of the top episodes of the RCP 2.0 for 2023. They discuss some personal ups and downs for 2023. Then they give an exhortation to why believes should be reading the Scriptures in 2024.
2023-12-2735 minThe Rural Church Podcast 2.0God's Good Design (Part 2): Interview with Michael Clary
Eddie and Allen finish up their conversation with D. Michael Clary (@dmichaelclary) about his new book God's Good Design: A Biblical, Theological, and Practical Guide to Human Sexuality. This part of the interview deals more specifically with gender roles in the local church. To purchase the book go to: https://www.amazon.com/Gods-Good-Design-Theological-Practical/dp/1956521097
2023-12-1326 minThe Rural Church Podcast 2.0God's Good Design (Part 1): Interview with Michael ClaryEddie and Allen chat with D. Michael Clary (@dmichaelclary) about his new book God's Good Design: A Biblical, Theological, and Practical Guide to Human Sexuality. In God's providence, this episode was recorded just after Ohio's wicked vote to enshrine abortion into its state constitution, so the conversation begins there. To purchase the book go to: https://www.amazon.com/Gods-Good-Design-Theological-Practical/dp/1956521097
2023-12-0635 minThe Rural Church Podcast 2.0The Lust of the Flesh: An Interview with Dr. Jared MooreEddie and Allen interview Dr. Jared Moore regarding his new book with Free Grace Prace, The Lust of the Flesh: Thinking Biblically About "Sexual Orientation," Attraction, and Temptation. The guys discuss the recent refusal of Louisiana Baptists to embrace equal protection for the preborn, and then jump into discussions regarding Same Sex Attraction, sin, redemption, the gospel, and the church. We are releasing this episode on a Tuesday since it is Thanksgiving week.
2023-11-2159 minThe Rural Church Podcast 2.0Episode 61: A Case for ConfessionsEddie and Allen discuss Confessions of Faith and why your church should have a healthy Confession. They also talk about the difference between Nominal Confessionalism and Hyper-Confessionalism and why your church should be neither.
More on this here: https://www.youtube.com/live/ZjXzInCx8MM?si=5qxrQEu-Em-1yLBU
2023-11-1540 minThe Rural Church Podcast 2.0Episode 60: A Theology of ThanksgivingEddie and Allen discuss this season of the year and how and why Christians should be thankful. They offer some practical ideas on how to express gratitude for and in the church. They end the episode talking about some things they are personally thankful for.
2023-11-0831 minThe Rural Church Podcast 2.0Episode 59: The Beauty of the ChurchOn this week of the RCP 2.0, Eddie and Allen talk about Baptist Associations. Then they get into Psalm 87:1-3 and talk about examples of glorious things in the church. Let us prize the local church's beauty!
2023-10-2533 minThe Rural Church Podcast 2.0Episode 58: Zeal for the ChurchEddie and Allen chat about some recent life updates and evangelism opportunities. Then they get into John 2:17 and discuss the focus and zeal believers and especially pastors must have for the local church.
2023-10-1833 minThe Rural Church Podcast 2.0Episode 57: Happy October!In this episode, Eddie and Allen catch up on their activities in the last month. They discuss G3 2023, Mexico Missions, Nursery/Cry Rooms, is it okay to pay for Christian Conferences?, and what about some of the current Baptist controversies? These things and more in this week's episode...
2023-10-1131 minThe Rural Church Podcast 2.0Episode 56: What is a Reformed Baptist?To kick off Reformation Month, Eddie and Allen discuss, "What is a Reformed Baptist?". How is this different than other baptists? How should Reformed Baptists cooperate with others?
2023-10-0434 minThe Rural Church Podcast 2.0The Heart that Sees GodIn this episode of RCP 2.0, Pastor Allen S. Nelson IV preaches from Matthew 5:8 on The Heart that Sees God. What does it mean to "see" God? What applications are there for the Christian walk? What about images of God and/or Christ? We dive into this and more in this week's episode!
2023-09-2739 minThe Rural Church Podcast 2.0Episode 55: Sermon IllustrationsAllen and Eddie talk for a bit about the death of Sundays in America today. They then spend the majority of the episode talking about the purpose and value of good sermon illustrations. What are some dos and don'ts when it comes to the art of sermon illustration? Listen in and find out!
2023-09-2037 minThe Rural Church Podcast 2.0Episode 54: Church LettersAllen and Eddie tackle the antiquated practice of sending and receiving members via a "church letter." What is good about this practice? What needs to be updated? Christ is worthy of healthy churches. Let us strive to have a more biblically faithful ecclesiology. You can also check out this YouTube video: https://youtu.be/wJsiH4YrteE
2023-09-1330 minThe Rural Church Podcast 2.0Episode 53: Day of Prayer and FastingOn this episode of RCP 2.0 Eddie and Allen talk about the global day of prayer and fasting to be held on October 4, 2023. They talk about the purpose of prayer and fasting and encourage your church to participate. Sign up here: https://globalprayerforrevival.com/
2023-09-0625 minThe Rural Church Podcast 2.0Episode 52: What's in a Name?This week Allen sits down with Pastor Jacob Robinson, a fellow elder at Providence Baptist Church in Perryville, AR. They discuss their name change from Perryville Second Baptist Church to Providence Baptist Church and some important things to consider in your local church's name. More about Providence Baptist Church: https://perryvillesbc.org/what-we-believe/our-story/
2023-08-3026 minThe Rural Church Podcast 2.0Episode 51: What Hath Sinai to do with Calvary?On this episode of the Rural Church Podcast 2.0, Eddie and Allen discuss the topic of the 10 Commandments and the Christian.
2023-08-2334 minThe Rural Church Podcast 2.0Episode 50: Repreaching SermonsEddie and Allen finally catch up after a busy summer. They address the "dos" and "don'ts" of repreaching sermons and when to revisit a sermon series in another context like Sunday School.
2023-08-1637 minThe Rural Church Podcast 2.0Episode 49: George Whitefield (Part 3)Allen and Wes Brown conclude their discussion on George Whitefield by considering his trips to the colonies, his relationships with men like Jonathan Edwards and John Wesely, and how pastors and churches ought to learn from men like George Whitefield today.
2023-08-0940 minThe Rural Church Podcast 2.0The Pastor as Evangelist: F.I.R.M MeetingIn this episode, we share a clip from our weekly Wednesday F.I.R.M meetings with pastors from Mexico and Central America. This week Pastor Allen teaches on 2 Timothy 4:5 and the necessity of pastors doing the work of an evangelist.
2023-08-0235 minThe Rural Church Podcast 2.0What do Deacons and Pastors Do? (Summer Sermon Clips 1)This episode is part of our summer sermon clips series where we'll periodically post preaching clips to keep episodes rolling during the sermon. This sermon clip is from Allen in his first pastorate at FBC DeWitt, AR. This portion of the sermon covers the "overseers and deacons" from Philippians 1:1.
2023-07-2620 minThe Rural Church Podcast 2.0Episode 47: Christ in MexicoAllen has on special guest Jonathan Murdock to recap their recent trip to Veracruz, Mexico, to chat about Fellowship of International Reformed Missions, and to discuss every local church's responsibility to invest in the Kingdom. The guys referenced this earlier episode: https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/ajsfxL6aaBb
They also referenced this sermon from Pastor Randall Easter: https://t.co/UF2qvJP8aO
2023-07-1253 minThe Rural Church Podcast 2.0Episode 46: George Whitefield (Part 2)Eddie, Allen, and Wes continue their discussion of George Whitefield. They consider the power of his preaching, his discipline with the Word and prayer, and his passion for lost souls. They cover from his conversion to the time right before he leaves for the American Colonies.
2023-07-0533 minThe Rural Church Podcast 2.0Episode 45: George Whitefield (Part 1)In this episode, Eddie and Allen have a conversation with Wes Brown the pastor of First Baptist Church of Plumerville, AR to discuss the life and legacy of George Whitefield. This episode covers why we should study men like Whitefield and takes listeners from Whitefield's birth to his conversion.
2023-06-2835 minThe Rural Church Podcast 2.0Episode 44: Baptist Covenant Theology (Part 3)In this episode, Eddie and Allen wrap up their discussion on Baptist Covenant Theology. They consider Jeremiah 31, Ezekiel 36, Galatians 3, and more. They love and appreciate their Presbyterian and Dispensational brothers. But, it is Baptist Covenant Theology that gives the best understanding of the totality of the Scriptures.
2023-06-2139 minThe Rural Church Podcast 2.0Episode 43: Baptist Covenant Theology (Part 2)Allen and Eddie continue the Baptist Covenant Theology discussion. This time, they get into the Noahic, Abrahamic, Mosaic, and Davidic Covenants and the differences between Baptists and Presbyterians in understanding these covenants.
2023-06-1429 minThe Rural Church Podcast 2.0Episode 42: Baptist Covenant Theology (Part 1)How should you read the whole Bible? In this episode, Eddie and Allen begin a discussion near and dear to their heart, Baptist Covenant Theology. Eddie has recently finished at class at Grace Bible Theological Seminary dealing with this subject and so it was a good time to discuss these important truths while they were fresh on his mind! This episode deals with the Covenant of Works and then gets into the Covenant of Grace and how the Old Testament saints were saved.
2023-06-0735 minThe Rural Church Podcast 2.0Pastoring Small Towns: An Interview with Ronnie MartinOn this episode, Allen and Eddie interview Ronnie Martin, Pastor of Substance Church in Ashland, Ohio. Ronnie recently co-authored a book with Donnie Griggs (B&H Publishing), Pastoring Small Towns: Help and Hope for Those Ministering in Smaller Places. With this being the Rural Church Podcast, we thought a conversation like this would be edifying to our listeners. Find out more info about the book at https://www.bhpublishinggroup.com/pastoring-small-towns/.
2023-05-3133 minThe Rural Church Podcast 2.0Episode 41: Books and SuchIn this episode, Eddie and Allen talk about the importance of reading and discuss some books they've been reading lately.
2023-05-2425 minThe Rural Church Podcast 2.0Episode 39: A.I. and the Local ChurchIn this week's episode Eddie and Allen dive into a discussion about Artificial Intelligence. How is it good? How is it harmful? And what are some specific areas local churches should think about when it comes to A.I.?
2023-05-1036 minThe Rural Church Podcast 2.0Episode 38: Assurance of SalvationThere are some people who are unconverted and believe they are saved. There are others who are genuinely converted who are not sure whether or not they are saved. In this week's episode, Allen and Eddie tackle the biblical doctrine of assurance including the dangers of false assurance and how genuine believers can really have true assurance of their salvation.
2023-05-0330 minThe Rural Church Podcast 2.0Christian Nationalism, Amillennialism, and the Kingdom of Christ (Special Episode)This week Allen brings on guest, Pastor Jonathan Murdock, of Trinity Baptist Church in Port Arthur, TX to discuss the subject of the day: Christian Nationalism. Allen and Jonathan seek to give a brotherly pushback to postmillennialism and desire to give believers the amillennial perspective regarding Christian Nationalism. This is an effort to keep the conversation going in a charitable way so that believers today can have a true sense of unity even when they find themselves on different sides of this debate. There should be healthy pushback against postmillennial thinking but done in love and honor to our...
2023-04-261h 46The Rural Church Podcast 2.0Episode 37: The Sovereignty of God and TornadosArkansas is known for many wonderful things. One negative thing it is known for, however, is its tornados. In this week's episode, Eddie and Allen discuss the reality of the decree of God as well as His divine providence and His sovereign control over all things, including storms. How should a Christian respond to such truths? Are Christians guilty of sinful fear when it comes to storms? The guys discuss these questions and more... This video promoting Allen's new book, A Change of Heart, was referenced in the beginning of the episode: https://youtu.be/k_SplvaLc1s
2023-04-1929 minThe Rural Church Podcast 2.0Episode 36: HomeschoolShould Christian parents homeschool? What about finances and socialization and knowledge? Can parents really do this? Eddie and Allen work through these issues as they encourage all Christian parents to raise their children up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord as they work through their particular situations.
2023-04-1234 minThe Rural Church Podcast 2.0Episode 35: The Pastor's BurdenEddie and Allen discuss 2 Corinthians 11:28 and Paul's anxiety for all the churches. They get into how pastors carry a burden that no other Christian really carries. They exhort pastors to labor well in the ministry while encouraging church members to rightly honor and take care of their pastors. This is a practical episode for all Christians.
2023-04-0533 min
The Rural Church Podcast 2.0Episode 34: The Invitation System, Childhood Conversions, and When to BaptizeEddie and Allen tackle an important subject in this week's episode as they seek to work through how children come to know the Lord and when a local church should seek to baptize a child.
2023-03-2938 minThe Rural Church Podcast 2.0Episode 33: Conference Review and Necessity of Christian FriendshipAllen and Eddie talk about the recent conference at Perryville 2nd Baptist Church with Tom Ascol and Mike Stone. Link to all messages from the conference and the panel discussion with Owen Strachan can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZkGXeKWedWGR0FI55C_ZmYvQMW9kQfNT
After the conference review, the guys talk about the importance and necessity of Christian friendship.
2023-03-2237 minThe Rural Church Podcast 2.0Episode 32: A Change of HeartIn this week's episode, Eddie and Allen talk about Allen's forthcoming book (4/7/23) with Free Grace Press, A Change of Heart: Understanding Regeneration and Why it Matters. For more information about the book, you can contact Allen on his twitter page, @cuatronelson. You can also go to the Free Grace Press website here for the special sale price: https://freegracepress.com/products/a-change-of-heart?_pos=3&_sid=51352f588&_ss=r
2023-03-1338 minThe Rural Church Podcast 2.0Episode 31: Worship, Homes, Fellowship (Biblical Distinctives Part 4)Eddie and Allen finish their discussion on the Biblical distinctives of a healthy church in this week's episode. They talk about the regulative principle of worship, the roles of men and women in worship, and the importance of the home and church fellowship. They also share some practical wisdom on reformation in the church.
2023-03-0839 minThe Rural Church Podcast 2.0Episode 30: Elders, Deacons, Members (Biblical Distinctives of a Healthy Church Part 3)Eddie and Allen discuss the biblical distinctives of leadership and membership in the church. Who can be Elders and Deacons? How many should there be? Should church membership really be formal and covenantal? These questions and more are discussed in this week's episode!
2023-03-0136 minThe Rural Church Podcast 2.0Episode 29: Biblical Distinctives of a Healthy Church (Part 2: Missions and Evangelism)In this episode, Eddie and Allen pick up where they left off in Episode 27 on biblical distinctives of a healthy church. This week they discuss how local churches ought to think rightly about evangelism and missions.
2023-02-2234 minThe Rural Church Podcast 2.0Episode 27: Biblical Distinctives of a Healthy Church (Part 1)Christ is worthy of a healthy church in every community across the globe. In this week's episode, Eddie and Allen talk about the need for healthy churches and begin discussing 10 biblical distinctives of a healthy church. They only make it through the first 3: Biblical Sufficiency, Biblical Holiness, and Biblical Preaching. That means there will be some more episodes in the future covering the remaining 7! Allen is preaching on these distinctives here: https://www.perryvillesbc.org/sermon/
2023-02-0836 minThe Rural Church Podcast 2.0Episode 26: Prayer MeetingsGod's people are praying people. Jesus said, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer...’ In 1 Timothy 2, Paul exhorts the churches to be places of prayer. This week on the Rural Church Podcast 2.0, Eddie and Allen talk about prayer meetings in the local church - Why they are necessary and how to conduct them!
2023-02-0130 minThe Rural Church Podcast 2.0Episode 25: The Why and How of Reading BooksGod has communicated to His people in words to be read. God's people are readers! While the Bible takes the highest priority over all other reading, Christians also seek to read other books to learn, grow, exercise their imagination, etc. In this episode, Eddie and Allen discuss how to choose the right books to read and some practical tips on reading that will encourage you in the days ahead to be a better reader.
2023-01-2535 minThe Rural Church Podcast 2.0Episode 24: Cultivating Godly Manhood in Your Local ChurchAllen is joined again by Alex, Jacob, and Gunner somewhere south of Pontoon Arkansas. The guys discuss the importance of godly manliness and various ways to cultivate godly manhood in the local church. This episode was recorded before baby Jace was born. Now that he has arrived, big congrats to Jacob, Taylor, Trey, and Jack!
2023-01-1831 minThe Rural Church Podcast 2.0Episode 23: Post-Covid Signs of a Healthy ChurchThis week Allen is joined by church members Jacob Robinson, Gunner Madewell, and Alex Osborne from an undisclosed location in the boondocks of Perry County Arkansas. The guys discuss mishaps from dealing with Covid and what churches should have learned from that as well as what sort of emphases churches ought to have in a post-Covid environment. The local church still matters!
2023-01-1125 minThe Rural Church Podcast 2.0Episode 22: Reading the Bible in 2023Happy New Year! In the U.S., we are blessed with abundant access to God's Word. Christians here ought to be reading the Bible every day. Why and how should this be done? Eddie and Allen discuss these things as well as their own strategies for regular Bible reading. This is a practical episode that exhorts you to read the Bible! Eddie mentioned this YouTube video of a clip of one of Allen's Sermons: https://youtu.be/VXFitPkS_-8
2023-01-0437 minThe Rural Church Podcast 2.0Episode 21: Pastoral VisitationIn the final episode of 2022, Allen and Eddie discuss pastoral visitation. When and why should pastors visit church members? How should we think about hospital visits?
2022-12-2831 minThe Rural Church Podcast 2.0Episode 20: Hark! The Harold Angel Sings!Don't worry, Harold Smith won't actually sing. But he's back on this episode with Eddie and Allen as they seek to encourage pastors in networking with other pastors, in preaching the Word, and in remaining faithful where the Lord has called them. The guys offer ideas for fellowship with other pastors as well as in doing small church conferences and in encouraging the people of God in the Word of God. The local church still matters. Merry Christmas!
2022-12-2134 minThe Rural Church Podcast 2.0Episode 19: Biblical Church Revitalization with Harold SmithEddie and Allen have a conversation with Harold Smith (@BackwoodsBapti1) co-host of The Patriot Pastor's podcast about his ministry of helping pastorless churches. In this episode, you'll hear Harold's love for the local church and why he believes in the importance of biblically healthy churches no matter their size or location.
2022-12-1426 min
The Rural Church Podcast 2.0Episode 18: Christmas and the Lord's DayChristmas is on a Sunday in 2022. How should local churches "respond" to Christmas falling on the Lord's Day this year? Should anything be different? Should everything be the same? Should we just have another "ordinary" service? Eddie and Allen dive in on these questions and more in this week's episode of the Rural Church Podcast 2.0.
2022-12-0737 minThe Rural Church Podcast 2.0Episode 17: Nuts and Bolts of Expositional PreachingEddie and Allen continue their discussion of Allen's series through Ephesians. They tackle some practical questions about preaching through specific texts and the need for expositional preaching beyond just preaching through books of the Bible, i.e. topical series, teaching through catechisms/confessions, etc.
2022-11-3021 minThe Rural Church Podcast 2.0Episode 16: Thanksgiving and EphesiansEddie and Allen talk some about Thanksgiving and then the reformation happening in their churches. Next, they discuss Allen's sermon series through the book of Ephesians as they get back to last week's episode about Expositional Preaching on the ground.
2022-11-2227 minThe Rural Church Podcast 2.0Episode 15: Expositional Preaching on the GroundEddie and Allen get into the nuts and bolts of Expositional Preaching by discussing Eddie's current sermon series through the book of Jonah. Eddie mentions this commentary in the episode: https://onemilliontracts-com.3dcartstores.com/Commentary-on-Jonah-_p_308.html
2022-11-1627 minThe Rural Church Podcast 2.0Episode 14: Why You Have to Go to Church to Be a ChristianIn this episode, we listen to a sermon excerpt from Allen Nelson from Ephesians 4:31-32 on why the local church is a non-negotiable for New Testament Christianity. You can find the full sermon at www.perryvillesbc.org.
2022-11-0929 minThe Rural Church Podcast 2.0Episode 13: Reformation or Deformation?Eddie and Allen discuss Mike Law's letter to the SBC Executive committee about the biblical qualifications for pastors and how moving away from the bible's teaching on leadership in the church is a "Deformation", not Reformation. They go on to discuss why this matters and some of the root causes of these issues in churches today. They also talk about the importance of Reformation and why Reformation brings division. Mike Law's letter can be found here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1yR4GD03KD2842r3RFlfJL-WX2CFRAbLTp5O592twPSw/edit
2022-11-0231 minThe Rural Church Podcast 2.0Episode 12: Sola Scriptura and the Local ChurchEddie and Allen welcome Gunner again to the podcast as they all talk about the Reformation and particularly focus on the doctrine of Sola Scriptura and how pastors and church members ought to apply this to both their daily lives as well as reformation in our churches today. One book mentioned is Wycliffe by Steve Burchett. Link: https://www.ccwtoday.org/product/wycliffe-a-bible-man-in-england-when-there-was-no-english-bible/
2022-10-2636 minThe Rural Church Podcast 2.0Episode 11: Ministry in Your HometownEddie and Allen recap evangelism at Goat Fest. Then the guys talk about long-term ministry in a local church including the benefits and struggles of pastoring in your hometown. This episode includes practical advice about making changes in the local church.
2022-10-1935 minThe Rural Church Podcast 2.0Episode 10: Calvinism, Evangelism, and Street PreachingEddie and Allen continue last week's conversation with Gunner and Alex. They talk more about the proper biblical motivations for evangelism, qualifications for street preachers, and the connection between evangelism and the local church.
2022-10-1231 minThe Rural Church Podcast 2.0Episode 9: Calvinism and EvangelismEddie and Allen are joined by a returning guest, Gunner Madewell, and a new guest, Alex Osborne. The guys discuss "What is Calvinism?" as well as how this biblical system informs and fuels our evangelism, including one on one conversations, passing out tracts, and street preaching.
2022-10-0532 minThe Rural Church Podcast 2.0Episode 8: How Involved Should the Local Church be in Major Life Decisions?This week Eddie and Allen talk about how our lives ought to revolve around the local church rather than squeezing the local church into our lives when we have time. This is a culture that ought to take hold of every Christian and will result in making major life decisions that revolve around the local church. Decisions like where your kids will go to college, whether you will move and take a new job, where you will retire should all be made in connection with the local church.
2022-09-2836 minThe Rural Church Podcast 2.0Episode 7: Plurality of EldersEddie and Allen talk about a recent video of a sheep caught in a ditch and how this pertains to pastoral ministry in the life of the local church. They briefly touch on the CrossPolitics remarks regarding Baptists. Most of the episode is spent on the wisdom and beauty of having a plurality of elders in the local church.
2022-09-2137 minThe Rural Church Podcast 2.0Episode 6: Taking the Gospel to the County FairEddie and Allen talk about being intentional in taking the gospel to community events like the County Fair. What are evangelistic ideas for local churches during community-wide events? Why and how should local churches bring the gospel to people at these events? Eddie leads off by talking about the world-famous Chuck Wagon races held annually in Clinton, AR.
2022-09-1435 minThe Rural Church Podcast 2.0Interview with the Spurgeon of El Pochote - Part 2This week is Part 2 of Eddie and Allen's interview with the Spurgeon of El Pochote, Cristian Martinez. Cristian is the Pastor of a 1689 confessing local church in El Pochote, Veracruz (Mexico). In this episode, we also hear some about F.I.R.M, Fellowship of International Reformed Missions. See how God is furthering His Kingdom in, by, and through the local church for His own glory.
2022-09-0630 minThe Rural Church Podcast 2.0Interview with the Spurgeon of El Pochote - Part 1In this week's episode, Eddie and Allen interview Cristian Martinez, pastor of Grace Baptist Church (a 1689 confessing church) in El Pochote, Veracruz (Mexico). You will be encouraged to hear how this 29-year-old pastor is leading his church to be faithful to the Word of God. Hear his heart for expositional preaching, Scripture memorization, biblical church membership, and the local church. You will be challenged and encouraged by what the Lord is doing in small, out-of-the-way places. Tune in to hear more about the Spurgeon of El Pochote!
2022-08-3032 minThe Rural Church Podcast 2.0Episode 3: Missions and the Local Church Part 2Eddie and Allen finish last weeks episode with Jonathan Murdock, Wes Brown, and Gunner Madewell talking about Mission, Ecclesiology, Church Planting, etc.
2022-08-2322 minThe Rural Church Podcast 2.0Episode 2: Missions and the Local Church Part 1Eddie and Allen are joined by special guests Jonathan Murdock, Gunner Madewell, and Wes Brown. The guys discuss missions and ecclesiology, including "is the SBC really better together?". Also, how and why small churches must be involved tangible in the mission of Christ. This is Part 1 of a two-part episode recorded after the Conway/Perry Baptist Associaton 2022 Missions' Conference.
2022-08-1931 minThe Rural Church Podcast 2.0Episode 1: Welcome Back!Eddie and Allen reintroduce themselves and talk about RCP 2.0. Included in this episode is a recap of Anaheim, Allen's trip to Mexico, Eddie's trip to Utah, and why the local church still matters.
2022-08-1030 min