The elders of the Hastings church — about 40 miles north of the Kansas state line — posted ads to fill the position.
They contacted preaching schools in Colorado and Texas.
They reached out to Christian universities.
Few candidates applied. Even fewer had ties to Churches of Christ.
“Before Russ came … I’m guessing we had at least 30 applicants,” elder Everett Hinton said. “Times have changed so much now.”
And it’s not a matter of money.
“We’re very well situated financially,” Hinton added. “The reason we don’t have a full-time preacher is because we can’t find one, not because we can’t afford one.”
The congregation has relied on York University — located about 60 miles away and associated with Churches of Christ — to supply speakers on Sunday.
Garrett Best, chair of York’s Bible and Ministry department, is one of several faculty on rotation to make the two-hour round trip.
“Their church is really the archetype of Midwestern churches,” said Best, minister for the Lifewalk Church of Christ in York. “They had 125 people 15 years ago, and they have just declined since.”
A small Nebraska lost its minister nearly two years ago and — despite solid finances — has been unable to fill the position. Meanwhile, a university 60 miles away has supplied Sunday speakers. https://t.co/fAnU9sEIrk via @christianchron @Travelers_Lane
— Religion Unplugged (@ReligionMag) May 23, 2025