Church Revitalization In Rural America PDF Download
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Author | : Tom Cheyney |
Publisher | : |
Total Pages | : 294 |
Release | : 2018-08-08 |
Genre | : |
ISBN | : 9780998738468 |
Download Church Revitalization in Rural America Book in PDF, ePub and Kindle
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!
Author | : Shannon O'Dell |
Publisher | : New Leaf Publishing Group |
Total Pages | : 210 |
Release | : 2010-04-01 |
Genre | : Religion |
ISBN | : 1614582130 |
Download Transforming Church in Rural America Book in PDF, ePub and Kindle
"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
Author | : Clinton Lee Rasmussen |
Publisher | : |
Total Pages | : 106 |
Release | : 2003 |
Genre | : Church architecture |
ISBN | : |
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Author | : Garland Armor Bricker |
Publisher | : |
Total Pages | : 204 |
Release | : 1919 |
Genre | : Rural churches |
ISBN | : |
Download The Church in Rural America Book in PDF, ePub and Kindle
Author | : Garland A Bricker |
Publisher | : Legare Street Press |
Total Pages | : 0 |
Release | : 2023-07-18 |
Genre | : |
ISBN | : 9781020901768 |
Download The Church in Rural America Book in PDF, ePub and Kindle
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.
Author | : Gary McIntosh |
Publisher | : Baker Books |
Total Pages | : 208 |
Release | : 2012-05 |
Genre | : Religion |
ISBN | : 0801014069 |
Download There's Hope for Your Church Book in PDF, ePub and Kindle
Veteran church consultant calls church leaders back to the hope that God can and does restore churches, equipping them with practical tools to bring about healthy growth.
Author | : Glenn Daman |
Publisher | : Moody Publishers |
Total Pages | : 255 |
Release | : 2018-05-01 |
Genre | : Religion |
ISBN | : 0802496458 |
Download The Forgotten Church Book in PDF, ePub and Kindle
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.
Author | : Allen T. Stanton |
Publisher | : Rowman & Littlefield |
Total Pages | : 137 |
Release | : 2021-05-15 |
Genre | : Religion |
ISBN | : 1538135256 |
Download Reclaiming Rural Book in PDF, ePub and Kindle
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.
Author | : Danny Davis |
Publisher | : Crosslink Publishing |
Total Pages | : 0 |
Release | : 2020 |
Genre | : Religion |
ISBN | : 9781633572058 |
Download Rural Church Turnaround Book in PDF, ePub and Kindle
"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
Author | : Jon Sanders |
Publisher | : |
Total Pages | : 132 |
Release | : 2018-11-03 |
Genre | : |
ISBN | : 9781728831350 |
Download Rural Church RESCUE Book in PDF, ePub and Kindle
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.