Download or read book Church Revitalization in Rural America written by Tom Cheyney and published by . This book was released on 2018-08-08 with total page 294 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The lasting solutions to rural America's churches challenges will be found in rural America. The rural church in America in the twenty-first century must develop new relationships and new ways of doing things to ensure prosperous and socially healthy future. But we should not delude ourselves into thinking that the rural American church has so many unique issues. In fact, most of the challenges facing the rural American church today are often the same challenges for the declining rural, urban fringe, and extreme urban church seeking renewal and revitalization. Yet, while the challenges are similar, the solutions are more unique. It has been just a little over a year since I completed my study sabbatical focusing on rural church revitalization. Our research revealed three profound types of churches among the rural landscape. The first type were those churches which were benign. These benign churches were 118 (33.71%) out of the 350 rural churches surveyed. Benign churches are the churches which have primarily a maintenance mindset which is displayed by very little effort and very low expectations. The second type we discovered were the bewildered churches in the rural landscape. Bewildered churches are those which are so frustrated that they are all but ready to jump off the proverbial bridge. These churches were 117 (33.43%) out of the 350 churches interviewed and surveyed. They are not only doing nothing they have no desire to seek renewal or life. They are the ones which have the mantra that the last one left alive remember to turn the lights off. The third type of rural church our research and interviews revealed are those who are the bold. These bold churches along the rural landscape have leaders which operate more as a community watcher and chaplain for the entire region not just a few church members. These churches were 115 (32.86%) of the 350 churches surveyed and interviewed. Without a doubt these were the healthiest of all the three types. They had a forward focus and were willing to try almost anything to reach their tiny population for Christ Jesus. Those churches were led by leaders who were strong voices for righteousness in their rural communities. They were not only participants with community leaders but they were partners in projects for the good of the area. These bold churches also stretched the usual outreach area around their church from six miles to thirty miles. The bold churches were most interested in connecting with the community. They sought ways to think outside of the box for the betterment of community not just the church. They emphasized newness over deadness. I am extremely encouraged at what I have seen and the pastors who are giving it their all for the sake of Christ in these rural areas. As a rural church revitalizer, you cannot settle for just doing a little. You must give it your all if you are going to revitalize a rural church. Successful rural revitalizers stay out front and on the edge. Dying rural churches are more focused on relaxing in a recliner. There have been many who I met that could barely make ends meet and yet their daily walk and Christian experienced makes ours pale in compare. There was such joy and intimacy in these congregations. The pace was much slower and so much more relaxed. These rural churches affirmed the membership and accepted everyone. Pastors of these rural churches were known in these small communities. They were making a difference. This will be the most challenging ministry assignment you will ever face! Might I make one more parting observation? While so many in denominational life are focusing on a small number of urban centers for their future hopes, perhaps such short sightedness will be the cause for us to lose the rest of America. What a sad day that will be. Our Lord Jesus loves the little communities just as much as He does the big ones. Hold on and keep on. Hold on Rural Church Revitalizer. Hold on!

Download or read book The Church in Rural America written by Garland A Bricker and published by Legare Street Press. This book was released on 2023-07-18 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book is a comprehensive guide to rural church ministry in America. From overcoming the challenges of small congregations to navigating the unique cultural and social aspects of rural communities, this book provides invaluable insights and practical advice for pastors and church leaders. With real-life case studies and inspiring stories, it is a must-read for anyone seeking to make a difference in rural America. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

Download or read book The Church in Rural America written by Garland Armor Bricker and published by . This book was released on 1919 with total page 204 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book There s Hope for Your Church written by Gary L. McIntosh and published by Baker Books. This book was released on 2012-05-01 with total page 208 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A startling 85% of churches in the US are plateaued or declining, a trend that has been building for the past fifty years. In the face of shrinking attendance and lagging spiritual growth, pastors and church leaders are understandably discouraged and demoralized. But the first step to turning things around is hope. Church health expert Gary McIntosh offers this hope by showing church leaders the first things they need to do to make a new start for their church. God can and does restore churches to new life, even as he restores individuals. The street-smart ideas and step-by-step instructions found in this book are ones that pastors and church leaders can put to use immediately in their churches to bring about solid growth and renewed hope for the future.

Download or read book Rural Church RESCUE written by Jon Sanders and published by . This book was released on 2018-11-03 with total page 132 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: At first glance it may appear that the church in rural North America is thriving. Nestled just below any average small town skyline of water towers and grain elevators one will find the steeples and stained glass windows of various church buildings. From a distance it would seem that rural communities are being sufficiently served by the mere number of churches present.But a closer look within the walls of the average rural church paints a much different and disturbing picture. Many rural churches find themselves stuck in a current of decline that is ultimately leading to their death. They lack a clear understanding of their purpose. They are floundering in an absence of leadership. They possess little to no vision for how a BIG God longs to impact their small community for His eternal kingdom. And instead of embracing the changes necessary to propel them into the future, they are clinging to worn out traditions of the past.Rural Church RESCUE speaks directly to churches struggling with these issues. Speaking from his experience as both a rural church pastor and firefighter, Jon Sanders presents a unique perspective on these common problems facing the rural church. Using a metaphor drawn from the world of the fire service, Sanders outlines six principles necessary for rural churches to be healthy and reclaim the vital role God has called them to in their communities.

Download or read book Replanting Rural Churches God s Plan and Call for the Middle of Nowhere written by Kyle Bueermann and published by The Replant. This book was released on 2019-08-09 with total page 78 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: 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.

Download or read book Transforming Church in Rural America written by Shannon O'Dell and published by New Leaf Publishing Group. This book was released on 2010-04-01 with total page 210 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "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

Download or read book Reclaiming Rural written by Allen T. Stanton and published by Rowman & Littlefield. This book was released on 2021-05-15 with total page 137 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: 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.

Download or read book The Country Church in Industrial Zones written by Hermann Nelson Morse and published by . This book was released on 1922 with total page 136 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Rural Church Turnaround written by Danny Davis and published by Crosslink Publishing. This book was released on 2020 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "Rural churches across North America are dying at alarming rates. Rural Church Turnaround is about real people who decided their rual communities needed a life-giving church. Rural Church Turnaround recoutns the experiences of pastors and lay eladers who led their dying congregations back to health, vitality, and impactful ministry."--Back cover

Download or read book Transforming Church in Rural America written by and published by . This book was released on with total page 209 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book The Church in Rural America written by Garland a (Garland Armor) B Bricker and published by Legare Street Press. This book was released on 2021-09-09 with total page 206 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. To ensure a quality reading experience, this work has been proofread and republished using a format that seamlessly blends the original graphical elements with text in an easy-to-read typeface. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

Download or read book Revitalize 9Marks Journal written by Jonathan Leeman and published by . This book was released on 2016-09-06 with total page 52 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: 9Marks Journal: RevitalizeChurch planting is a great thing, and there's no need to take anything away from it. But there should also be a default setting in a Christian's heart that always longs to see dying churches revitalized. It's not like the debate in your head about whether to fork over $2000 to the mechanic to fix your clunker of a car or to just buy a new one. It's more like a decision about whether to walk away from a dear but difficult relationship. Our hearts should never want to do that, even if once in a great while we must.Start with Andy Davis' remarkable story of reforming one church, and you'll find something that feels strangely like it's from the Bible, as if Andy were only doing what the apostles did. Then let the biblical burden of Bobby Jamieson's article sit on you. I'm serious. You just might find some new light bulbs turning on. Matt Schmucker's and Mike McKinley's articles then round out the apologetic by offering crisp statements for why churches and pastors should pursue the work of revitalizing.If you are a pastor, keep reading into the next section, where Jeramie Rinne, Greg Gilbert, John Folmar, J. D. Greear, and Brian Croft offer valuable and practical wisdom on how to proceed with the work of reform.Could it be that church revitalization does not loom as large in the modern evangelical mindset as it did in Jesus' and the apostles'? Before you answer that question, if nothing else, read Bobby's article. You just might wonder if we've missed something basic.

Download or read book Church in Hard Places written by Mez McConnell and published by Crossway. This book was released on 2016-01-14 with total page 122 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Jesus came to seek and to save the lost, paying particular attention to the downtrodden and the poor. As followers of Jesus, Christians are called to imitate his example and reach out to those who have the least. This book offers biblical guidelines and practical strategies for reaching those on the margins of our society with the gospel of Jesus Christ. The authors—both pastors with years of experience ministering among the poor—set forth helpful “dos” and “don’ts” related to serving in the midst of less-affluent communities. Emphasizing the priority of the gospel as well as the importance of addressing issues of social justice, this volume will help pastors and other church leaders mobilize their people to plant churches and make an impact in “hard places”—in their own communities and around the world.

Download or read book Rural Church Life in the Middle West written by Benson Young Landis and published by Createspace Independent Publishing Platform. This book was released on 1922 with total page 104 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Rural Church Life In The Middle West: As Illustrated By Clay County, Iowa and Jennings County, Indiana With Comparative Data Studies of Thirty-Five Middle Western Counties By Benson Y. Landis

Download or read book Forward Steps for Rural Churches written by Virginia Rural Church Conference Board and published by . This book was released on 1931 with total page 68 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book The Rural Church written by Edward Wesley Hassinger and published by . This book was released on 1988 with total page 194 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: