Reclaiming Rural
Reclaiming Rural

Author: Allen T. Stanton

Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

Published: 2021-05-15

Total Pages: 137

ISBN-13: 1538135256

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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.

The Future of the Parish System
The Future of the Parish System

Author: Steven Croft

Publisher: Church House Publishing

Published: 2010-05-05

Total Pages: 209

ISBN-13: 0715142275

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This timely, multi-faceted book by a collection of leading thinkers and practitioners provides church leaders with the resources to re-imagine church and ministry in the twenty-first century. Looking at both traditional forms of church and fresh expressions, this wide-ranging book offers invaluable historical, psychological, sociological and theological perspectives on the parish system. Leading thinkers outline the challenges facing the Church, present suggestions for areas for development, and set out principles for future growth.

Research in the Social Scientific Study of Religion, Volume 11
Research in the Social Scientific Study of Religion, Volume 11

Author: Joanne Marie Greer

Publisher: BRILL

Published: 2021-11-22

Total Pages: 270

ISBN-13: 9004493271

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The purpose of this book is to provide an outlet for original research articles examining the role and value of religious and spiritual constructs across the social sciences. The aim of the series is to include an international and interfaith voice to this research dialogue. An effort is made to be interdisciplinary and academically eclectic. The articles in each volume represent a wide array of perspectives and research projects. Most of the articles report the findings of quantitative or qualitative investigations, but some deal with methodology, theory, or applications of social science studies in the field of religion, and some are applied, demonstrating the relevance of the social sciences to religious organizations and their clergy. The value of the volume is that it gives to researchers in this area a broad perspective on the issues and methods of religious research across a spectrum of academic disciplines. The aim of the book is to stimulate a creative, integrative dialogue that will enhance interdisciplinary research.

The Gifts of the Small Church
The Gifts of the Small Church

Author: Jason Byassee

Publisher: Abingdon Press

Published: 2010

Total Pages: 212

ISBN-13: 0687466598

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Why the small- to mid-sized church remains God's best means to make disciples of Jesus Christ

The Once and Future Parish
The Once and Future Parish

Author: Alison Milbank

Publisher: SCM Press

Published: 2023-09-28

Total Pages: 130

ISBN-13: 0334063159

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Few other books have caused as much stir in the Church of England in recent decades as has For the Parish. Twelve years on from its publication, in the wake of the Covid pandemic and the ‘Save the Parish’ movement much has changed, but much has stayed the same. In this follow up to this influential and controversial book, new and already familiar themes are newly inflected in the debates of the present time: principally minster hubs, the ‘Emerging Church’ programme and the Strategic Development Fund. Alison Milbank challenges the ecclesiology, models of theological anthropology and the analysis of secularism that are present (explicitly or implicitly) in these movements, and offer a striking and encouraging vision of what the parish model could offer to our anxious world.

Rural Children, Rural Church
Rural Children, Rural Church

Author: Rona Orme

Publisher: Church House Publishing

Published: 2007

Total Pages: 68

ISBN-13: 9780715141267

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Children make up nearly 20 per cent of the rural population. This short, accessible book offers practical resources and ideas to help churches build an effective children's ministry in a rural setting. The ideas are drawn from churches and communities in rural areas where children's work is starting to grow. Rona Orme offers realistic and creative ways of engaging with children in the community by encouraging churches to make the most of opportunities to: share the Church's year with the community and the community's year with the Church; reach children and their families at significant rites of passage; enable the Church to be a gathering point and contributing partner in the community. Each chapter contains inspiring case studies and thought-provoking questions for discussion.

Welcome One Another
Welcome One Another

Author: Paul Hoffman

Publisher: Augsburg Fortress

Published: 2016-12-03

Total Pages: 63

ISBN-13: 150641608X

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We once believed that as a majority culture in North America everyone knew all there was to know about a church and its surroundings. This certainly is no longer true in a post-Christian North American culture. Most people in our towns and cities, in the neighborhoods and surrounding countryside of our church properties are completely mystified about who we are, what we do, and who is welcome-or not. Hoffman's inviting prose, which includes many practical proposals, will expand your notions of who hospitality ministers are and why they matter. His own compelling experience suggests that the rewards of our efforts to welcome the stranger will deeply enrich our congregational ministry and our relationships with one another and with God.