The elders of the Hastings church \u2014 about 40 miles north of the Kansas state line \u2014 posted ads to fill the position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They contacted preaching schools in Colorado and Texas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They reached out to Christian universities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Few candidates applied. Even fewer had ties to Churches of Christ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBefore Russ came \u2026 I\u2019m guessing we had at least 30 applicants,\u201d elder Everett Hinton said. \u201cTimes have changed so much now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And it\u2019s not a matter of money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe\u2019re very well situated financially,\u201d Hinton added. \u201cThe reason we don\u2019t have a full-time preacher is because we can\u2019t find one, not because we can\u2019t afford one.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The congregation has relied on York University<\/a> \u2014 located about 60 miles away and associated with Churches of Christ \u2014 to supply speakers on Sunday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Garrett Best, chair of York\u2019s Bible and Ministry department, is one of several faculty on rotation to make the two-hour round trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cTheir church is really the archetype of Midwestern churches,\u201d said Best, minister for the Lifewalk Church of Christ<\/a> in York. \u201cThey had 125 people 15 years ago, and they have just declined since.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Read it all<\/a>.<\/p> A small Nebraska lost its minister nearly two years ago and \u2014 despite solid finances \u2014 has been unable to fill the position. Meanwhile, a university 60 miles away has supplied Sunday speakers. https:\/\/t.co\/fAnU9sEIrk<\/a> via @christianchron<\/a> @Travelers_Lane<\/a><\/p>— Religion Unplugged (@ReligionMag) May 23, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote>