Resourcing Rural Ministry

Resourcing Rural Ministry
Author: Mr. Simon Martin
Publisher:
Total Pages: 208
Release: 2015-10-01
Genre:
ISBN: 9780857462626

This resource offers an in-depth exploration of the key aspects and challenges of leading a rural church. Relevant for ordained and lay leaders alike, it contains real-life case studies and workbook-style material, offering practical guidance and suggested actions.

Reclaiming Rural

Reclaiming Rural
Author: Allen T. Stanton
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
Total Pages: 137
Release: 2021-05-15
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1538135256

As rural America continues to undergo massive economic and demographic shifts, rural churches are uniquely positioned to provide community leadership. Leading a rural congregation requires a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing these communities, as well as a strong theological and community-focused identity. Allen T. Stanton describes how in establishing this identity, rural leaders build a meaningful and vital ministry. Reclaiming Rural explores the myths and realities of rural places, and how those common narratives impact the leadership of rural churches. Ultimately, rural congregations must practice a contextual understanding of vitality, which understands both the strengths and challenges of leading in a rural setting. Arguing for a practice of evangelism imbued with this mission of vitality, Reclaiming Rural promotes the church as a leader in economic and community development, modeled upon a Wesleyan theology of grace. Acknowledging the many challenges facing rural churches, this book is an energetic and encouraging guide to overcoming social and economic obstacles to build a thriving congregation.

Rural Ministry

Rural Ministry
Author: Shannon Jung
Publisher:
Total Pages: 250
Release: 1998
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 9780687016068

Grounded in social research, Rural Ministry evaluates the diminishing establishment of the church in rural America, which is linked to the fifty-year-old crisis in rural ministry. It names the primary issues for leaders of Protestant and Catholic churches to ponder: the graying of the population; the closing of schools, hospitals, and factories; and the corporate buyout of farms during the 1980s. In addition to retelling the history of this crisis, Shannon Jung and the other contributors to this volume offer a set of Christian principles that respond to social problems in rural life. The situation is so intense that the book offers examples from around the heartland of cooperative or collaborative parishes that blend denominational and theological differences across the Protestant and Catholic spectrum. Key Benefits: Offers a vision of nationwide renewal in rural America; Advocates true ecumenical solutions to issues confronting the rural church in America; Sidebars feature examples and illustrations; Informs new rural ministers of the culture and issues about to confront them, allowing them to better handle the challenges and opportunities of the rural environment; Motivates congregations to activate ministries in new and provocative ways, insuring the spread of the gospel; Can help troubled churches survive.

Transforming Church in Rural America

Transforming Church in Rural America
Author: Shannon O'Dell
Publisher: New Leaf Publishing Group
Total Pages: 210
Release: 2010-04-01
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1614582130

"No matter what size church you are a part of, this book will challenge your traditional thinking, force you to look beyond the status quo, and enable you to grasp a bigger vision of what God has in store for your ministry and your leadership." -Ed Young, Fellowship Church "Shannon O'Dell's passion for the rural church in America is contagious" -Craig Groeschel, LifeChurch.tv Small church buildings dotting the countryside are home to ministries that often struggle with limited attendance, no money, and little expectation that change can revitalize their future. In Transforming Church in Rural America, Pastor Shannon O'Dell shares a powerful vision of relevance, possibility, and excellence for these small churches, or for any ministry that is stuck in a "rural state of mind." The book reveals: how to generate growth through transformed lives ways to create active evangelism in your community no-cost solutions for staffing challenges, enhancing the worship experience, and inspiring volunteers Focusing on vision, attitude, leadership, and innovation, you can learn the practical strategies and biblical guidance that helped to grow a church of 31 into a multi-campus church of several thousand, with a national and global outreach. Discover effective structure and ways to cast God-given vision so others can follow and make an impact. Experience the blueprint for transforming into effective, dynamic, and thriving churches no matter where the location or how small it may be. MORE INFO

Rural Youth Ministry

Rural Youth Ministry
Author: Brent Lacy
Publisher:
Total Pages: 80
Release: 2018-03
Genre:
ISBN: 9781986315067

Rural youth ministry is an amazing adventure--a truly unique beast, different from serving in the inner city or the heart of suburbia. But even though our culture is becoming increasingly urban and suburban, rural youth ministry isn't going away anytime soon.Brent Lacy is no stranger to the realities of rural ministry--the joys, the challenges, the rewards, the heartaches. He grew up in a rural community and serves as the youth pastor at a rural church today.Through the pages of this book, Brent examines keys to thriving in rural youth ministry, strategies for building solid relationships, tips on reaching your local schools, wisdom on surviving church politics, ideas on effectively using technology, and advice on adjusting to a new church or community. Whether you're new to rural youth ministry or your life has been forged in a rural setting, this book will inspire you to hold firm to God's calling. You can be successful in your ministry. You can reach your community in ways you and your church never even thought were possible. The work may be long, hard, and messy, but the rewards are amazing. The Expanded Second Edition also includes updated and additional content.

Reshaping Rural Ministry

Reshaping Rural Ministry
Author: James Bell
Publisher: Canterbury Press Norwich
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2009
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 9781853119538

A practical and theological guide to rural ministry. It explores: pastoral skills for rural ministry, leadership models for rural contexts, multi-church ministry, developing lay ministry and leadership, the distinctive values of rural churches, vocational pathways for rural ministry, and whether mission be explicit or implicit.

Mission-shaped and Rural

Mission-shaped and Rural
Author: Sally Gaze
Publisher: Church House Publishing
Total Pages: 164
Release: 2006
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 9780715140840

Using a mix of theological reflection, sociological analysis, case studies and personal experience, this book explores ways forward for mission in a rural context in both traditional and fresh expressions of church. It offers insights into issues facing rural England and explores the nature of mission with reference to the rural situation.

Replanting Rural Churches: God's Plan and Call for the Middle of Nowhere

Replanting Rural Churches: God's Plan and Call for the Middle of Nowhere
Author: Kyle Bueermann
Publisher: The Replant
Total Pages: 78
Release: 2019-08-09
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 9781733690362

God has plans for Nowhere, USA. You might be surprised to learn that God has great plans for Nowhere, USA; population you, your family, a few people, and scores of cattle. As you surrender to Him, remain faithful to proclaim His Word, and maintain earnest prayer on your church's behalf, you can play a pivotal role in advancing the Kingdom. Maybe you have just been called to a town like that, maybe you are still wondering where you will serve, or maybe, just maybe you want to step out of your comfort zone and into the long-forgotten communities of rural America. If that's you, this book is for you.

Church and Countryside

Church and Countryside
Author: Tim Gibson
Publisher: SCM Press
Total Pages: 153
Release: 2013-01-03
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 033404765X

While in recent years much attention among theologians has been focused on the city and on what makes a good city, much of (church) life in Britain takes place in the context of rural communities. In the context of their daily work, clergy find themselves confronted with complex ethical, political and social issues. "Church and Countryside" maps out a rural theology that addresses some of the concerns faced by Britain's rural population and those who minister to them. While other books in this field focus on practical (mission-orientated) aspects of ministry in the countryside, Tim Gibson offers a discussion of some of the relevant issues from the point of view of Christian ethics. An accessibly written and thoroughly researched piece of contextual theology that should become core reading for mission and ministry courses in theological colleges and ministry training courses.