Joshua Rhone is the pastor at Mt. Union Wesleyan Church in Mt. Union, Pennsylvania.  We have gotten connected through Twitter and blogging and I look forward to meeting him one day.  Here’s what happening in his life and church.

1.  What brought you and your family to Mt. Union Wesleyan Church?

Primarily, it was the call of God that brought Crystal and I to Mount Union and the Mount Union Wesleyan Church.  It’s amazing, in fact, how God works.  Prior to coming to Mount Union, I pastored a church in the suburbs of Cincinnati.  Before packing up, leaving Pennsylvania, and heading to Ohio I had actually interviewed with the Mount Union Wesleyan Church.  Due to some stipulations in the Discipline and what we believed to be God’s direction we withdrew from the interview process in Mount Union and ended up in Ohio.

After resigning from the church in Ohio and attending church planter assessment, Crystal and I ended up in discussions with the West Michigan District regarding the possibility of partnering with them to plant a church in the Mason, Michigan area.  The inability to sell the house that we own in Ohio would make such a move an impossibility.

It was about this time that Crystal took a pregnancy test and discovered that we were pregnant.  The news came as a delight despite the uncertainty of things.  At our first visit to the doctor, however, we were told that Crystal suffered an “spontaneous abortion” and that we had lost the child.

Devastated and in need of healing, it was truly through God’s providence that we ended up (just a few short weeks later) pastoring the church in Mount Union that was less than two hours from each of our families.  With the support of our family and the love and care lavished upon us by our church family, the wounds began to heal.

Then, just a few months after moving to Mount Union, we went to the doctor because we believed Crystal to be pregnant.  Upon closer examination, Crystal’s doctor informed us that we were pregnant.  Much to our surprise, however, we were five months pregnant- meaning that we had never miscarried!

2.  What have you found to be the biggest challenge of being a Solo Pastor?

The biggest challenge of being a solo pastor would have to be coming to the realization that the church, its health and well-being, does not depend on you.

I’m a driven, perfectionist who is prone to workaholism and without staff and with volunteers who are crunched for time it has been very difficult for me to learn to say, “No.”

For a time this led to strain in our marriage and some health issues related to stress.

From the standpoint of the church it also created an environment that was incredibly unhealthy.  Leaders weren’t being cultivated.  People weren’t able to employ their gifts in service and ministry.  A culture of consumption was created and church for many became a spectator sport.

3.  Online seminary is a rather new concept.  What would you say to someone thinking about getting their M. Div or D. Min online at George Fox, Wesley Seminary, or any of the other great options out there?

I would say two things to those who are thinking about going the route of distance education with respect to their seminary education.  First and foremost, I would suggest that you have to be a driven and disciplined individual to be able to balance the demands of family, ministry, and education.  Along with this, one has to be willing to get up early, stay up late, and make some sacrifices to get the required coursework accomplished.  If one does not have the discipline to do such things, then an online education is probably not for them.

Secondly, I would suggest that one look very carefully at the programs that one is thinking about entering into.  The rise of online programs means that there are many institutions stepping up to the plate who neither have the technological aspect of things worked out nor the curriculum for such a program.  For example, I have a friend who attended an online seminary that promised a first class education.  Unfortunately, the technology that was employed was dated and was constantly not working correctly.  The program ended up being a frustration that distracted from life and ministry rather than enhancing it.  In this vein as well, there are many schools who have regionally accredited programs (which are fine)- however, if one hopes to continue their education, working on a D.Min or Ph.D, one will likely need a degree that is considered a “terminal degree” from an Association of Theological Schools accredited institution.

4.  What are your hopes and dreams for Mt. Union Wesleyan Church?

My hope for the Mount Union Wesleyan Church is that we would be a people who would be able to recognize where God is at work and in obedience join Him there.

5.  What can denominations do to better prepare, equip, and encourage Solo Pastors?

This may sound rather insignificant, but I think that the best thing a denomination can do is put into place a feedback loop that allows them to more effectively listen to the voices of those who are laboring at the grassroots level of the denomination.

Follow Joshua on Twitter @joshrhone

Read his blog at www.joshrhone.com

Check out his church here.

Check out my interviews with Matt Beasley and Jeremiah Gomez.  More to come!