Nebraska Synod ELCA

Event Summary

“Small-Town Jesus: What Jesus Teaches Us About Effective Ministry” is a two-hour online Emmaus course inviting rural and small-town leaders, as well as anyone curious about ministry in these contexts, to reimagine effective ministry through the life and work of Jesus. Together we will name the real gifts and challenges of serving in smaller communities, explore what is essential in every ministry setting (rural, small-town, and urban), and rediscover a people-centered, relationship-focused understanding of success in the church. Participants will be encouraged to release assumptions that equate size with faithfulness and to reclaim confidence in the people and places God has entrusted to their care.

Format and Schedule

• Format: Online only via Zoom
• Date: November 15, 2026
• Time: 2:00–4:00 p.m. Central Time

What to Expect:

• Brief theological framing rooted in the life and ministry of Jesus
• Guided reflection on rural and small-town ministry realities
• Conversation about what remains essential in every context
• Time to name next faithful steps in your own setting

Cost

• Registration Fee: $10
• Continuing Education: 2 hours of CE credit available

Registration Deadline

• Last Day to Register: November 12, 2026

Facilitator

Pastor Greg Berger, Assistant to the Bishop, Nebraska Synod, ELCA.

Raised on a Nebraska farm, Pastor Greg brings a deep appreciation for the church’s life and witness in rural and small-town communities. Rooted in Lutheran theology, he understands the church as a people gathered by God’s Word, nourished through the sacraments, and sent to serve the neighbor through our various vocations. Greg believes the church’s faithfulness is not measured by size or prominence, but by its trust in Christ’s promise and its willingness to learn from, imitate, and follow Jesus in the places where God has called us.

Who Should Attend

This event is open to everyone, and may be especially helpful for:

• Rostered ministers serving in rural or small-town congregations
• Lay leaders, council members, and volunteers in smaller congregations
• Leaders in urban and suburban settings who want to better understand rural ministry
• Anyone discerning a call to serve in rural or small-town contexts
• Congregational teams seeking to re-center ministry on relationships, presence, and trust in God’s work

Whether your congregation is small or large, rural or urban, you are welcome. This course is designed to encourage and equip leaders to see their communities, and their callings, through the lens of Jesus’ own ministry.