Download or read book Rural Congregational Studies written by Loyle Shannon Jung and published by . This book was released on 1997 with total page 164 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Nearly all pastors sent to rural congregations were nurtured in larger urban congregations, and nearly always educated in urbanized seminaries. A wide culture gap between leaders and members often emerges among the church leaders in rural congregations. This book is designed to address and study the issues that arise when ordained and lay pastors are called or appointed to rural congregations. This handbook will orient seminary students and pastors who are doing ministry in rural congregations. It focuses on the nature of congregational life in such a setting, showing ways to deal with the issues and challenges specific to rural culture. The authors tell how to best engage in evangelism and mission in the particular locations in which these congregations find themselves. Rural Congregational Studies: A Guide for Good Shepherds outlines features of different rural settings that affect life and church life. Each chapter contains a section of "resources" (sidebars, ideas, programs, and so forth) that tie it to the chapter theme.
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 Church and Countryside written by Tim Gibson and published by SCM Press. This book was released on 2013-01-03 with total page 153 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: 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.
Download or read book The Forgotten Church written by Glenn Daman and published by Moody Publishers. This book was released on 2018-05-01 with total page 255 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Winner of Christianity Today's Award of Merit for The Church/Pastoral Leadership 2018 Whether it’s because of the 2016 Presidential election or books like “Hillbilly Elegy,” Americans are beginning to understand the tremendous influence people in rural areas have in our nation. But rural America—not urban America—is also the new center of poverty. Thus, the rural church stands at the crossroads of strength and struggle. It carries the gospel, the very hope and power needed. Yet its ministry efforts are hamstrung because urban and suburban churches often don’t realize their need for rural churches, and the rural church itself rarely understands its unique assets and values. The Forgotten Church addresses these problems and: provides an overview of rural ministry explores opportunities recent trends provide showcases the remarkable benefits of suburban, urban, and rural churches working together This book is essential for any pastor—whether from the city or the sticks—because we are one body and we need each other.
Download or read book Surveying Your Community written by Edmund de Schweinitz Brunner and published by . This book was released on 1925 with total page 120 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
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 We Will Feast written by Kendall Vanderslice and published by Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing. This book was released on 2019-05-21 with total page 138 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Explores the practice of eating together as Christian worship The gospel story is filled with meals. It opens in a garden and ends in a feast. Records of the early church suggest that believers met for worship primarily through eating meals. Over time, though, churches have lost focus on the centrality of food— and with it a powerful tool for unifying Christ’s diverse body. But today a new movement is under way, bringing Christians of every denomination, age, race, and sexual orientation together around dinner tables. Men and women nervous about stepping through church doors are finding God in new ways as they eat together. Kendall Vanderslice shares stories of churches worshiping around the table, introducing readers to the rising contemporary dinner-church movement. We Will Feast provides vision and inspiration to readers longing to experience community in a real, physical way.
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 Unique Studies of Rural America Church life in the rural South by E de S Brunner written by Institute of Social and Religious Research and published by . This book was released on 1922 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book The Country Church and the Rural Problem written by Kenyon Leech Butterfield and published by . This book was released on 1911 with total page 172 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
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 2009-08 with total page 210 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: If you aren't transforming lives, then your church has no impact. This vital guide is for every deacon, elder, and pastor wanting to bring their rural church back to the business of changing lives. You can find no-cost solutions for staffing challenges, upgrading the worship, and generating teams of volunteers, as well as innovative strategies for growth. If you want to know how your church can become relevant in your community with your ministry, you will find the answers here.
Download or read book Rural Life and Rural Church written by Leslie J. Francis and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2012 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "An excellent and authoritative account of current research, research that needs to be taken seriously by all who are shaping the future of our rural churches, both ordained and lay. Here is material that will help us cherish the virtue and integrity of our calling; a calling that originated in a small countryside mission beside Lake Galilee." - From the Foreword by The Right Reverend Mark Rylands, The Bishop of Shrewsbury The essays brought together here present a broad assessment of the serious issues facing rural life and the rural church today. The authors are drawn from the Anglican, Baptist, Methodist and Pentecostal Churches. The essays explore a wide range of biblical, theological, sociological, and historical concerns and topics. Throughout, the book is informed by a spirit of listening - to church-goers, clergy, church leaders, and local communities. Rural Life and Rural Church provides an invaluable resource for clergy and lay Christians involved in rural ministry, initial and continuing ministerial education, and Christian men and women living in the countryside.
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 The Rural Church Movement written by Edwin Lee Earp and published by . This book was released on 1914 with total page 194 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Church Life in the Rural South written by Edmund de Schweinitz Brunner and published by . This book was released on 1923 with total page 136 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Revitalization in the Rural Congregation written by Loyle Shannon Jung and published by . This book was released on 1995 with total page 28 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Resourcing Rural Ministry written by Mr. Simon Martin and published by . This book was released on 2015-10-01 with total page 208 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: 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.
