Last month, I discussed rural ministry in North Dakota. To be sure, there are many challenges, both demographic and otherwise. I discussed how I think rural congregations in our backyard are a mission field for us to consider. North Dakotans who love the Gospel help fellow North Dakotans retain the Gospel in their communities. But as we think about our brothers and sisters in Christ in our rural communities, let us also not lose sight of opportunities where new congregations might be planted.  

North Dakota is undergoing a demographic shift from rural communities to the more urban areas of the state. Fargo, Bismarck, Grand Forks, and Minot have all been experiencing population growth. How best can we meet this opportunity? In my judgment, the best model for planting churches is the preaching station model. 

A preaching station is exactly what it sounds like. A congregation begins by identifying a community that may be a good candidate: perhaps there is a population of LCMS parishioners who travel a distance to church, perhaps the community is overall underchurched, or perhaps there is an individual who is highly enthusiastic to have an LCMS presence in their community. Once a community has been identified, the pastor travels to that town to preach and teach. He conducts regular worship services there, teaches Bible Studies, and catechizes the people. The services are held in any suitable and available place: a storefront, a gym, or another church building. The preaching station in Valley City has, until recently, met in a room at a convent. Invitations are made, bushes are beaten, advertisements go out, and conversations are had. We’re Lutherans, we have the pure Gospel, we have comfort to give to burdened consciences. The picture of missions is one beggar telling another beggar where he may find free bread. The  prayer is that the Lord, who works through His Word, flourish into a congregation. But the Lord works when and where He wills. It is still His Church. We plant, another may water, but God gives the growth (1 Corinthians 3:6). 

This is why, in my judgment, the preaching station model is superior to the district calling a man to be a church planter, as has been done in the past. There are two primary reasons: theological and financial. The theological consideration is that, in the preaching station model, the pastor has already been called to an altar and pulpit. When he preaches at a preaching station, it is sort of like he takes the pulpit from his congregation to preach to others in another community, much like a shut-in visit. Thus, he preaches under and with the authority of his current call. By contrast, when the district calls a man to be a church planter and tells him, “Go over there and start a church,” unintentionally, this puts a lot of pressure on the man to “make the thing go.” His livelihood depends on the church plant “succeeding.” Compared to the district paying a man a full salary and benefits to go plant a church, preaching stations are incredibly inexpensive. The highest costs that are associated with a preaching station are: venue rental, mileage, and advertising. This also allows us to be flexible. If we start ten preaching stations and God grants growth to one or two, that they grow into a congregation, God be praised. 

There are several candidates that I think are prime for preaching stations: Casselton, Kindred, Stanley, Bowman, and perhaps Horace. Some of these have been talked about by pastors and circuits around the district. For example, the Southwest Circuit is talking about starting a preaching station in Bowman. This demonstrates that one congregation does not have to do this alone. Pastors in a circuit can take turns preaching and teaching. Fargo is quickly moving south, and communities west of Fargo are experiencing population booms as well. Let’s bring the Gospel to them.  

Currently, there are two preaching stations in the North Dakota District. Zion – Ellendale has started a preaching station in Valley City, and St. John – Oakes has one going in LaMoure. Rev. Preus preaches in Valley City on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month at 2:00 (as of this writing – check the district website for current information, as they may be changing facilities) at the Maryvale Retreat Center (11550 River Rd, Valley City, ND). Rev. Brademeyer brings the Word of God to the people in LaMoure on the 1st Sunday of each month at 2:00 at the Benedictine Assisted Living (315 1st St SE, LaMoure, ND). If you would like more information on preaching stations, Reverends Preus and Brademeyer have written a “how-to” guide to preaching stations that can be found on the district website: www.nodaklcms.org/resources/preaching-station-guidebook.

A new congregation has not been started in the ND District in the 16 years that I’ve been a pastor here. The District, at its best, supports the work of the local congregations as they preach to the people in their pews and look abroad for the Gospel to be proclaimed in other communities. Please let me know if your congregation would like to start a preaching station; the ND District is here to help. I’d love to discuss with you the steps to apply for funds to cover costs and get you in touch with our amazing communication team. At its best, the district exists to support the local congregations in their work of proclaiming Christ and delivering the Lord’s gifts. A blessed Eastertide to you all.