The Rural Church Movement explores how churches can lead social renewal in America’s open country.
It presents a practical plan for rebuilding rural communities through informed leadership, surveys, and cooperative action.
With clear steps and real-world examples, the book argues that the country church can become a vital center for community life. It outlines a modern approach that moves beyond old parish borders to a social center parish, driven by detailed local surveys, practical programs, and skilled lay and clergy leadership.
- How to map a parish’s needs and assets, turning data into usable, visible plans.
- A three-part program: a thorough social survey, a public-facing chart of community life, and a concrete program of work.
- Ways to organize efforts that coordinate churches, schools, and local services for broader impact.
- Foundations for home missions policy, Bible study rooted in rural life, and scholarships to encourage rural ministers.
Ideal for readers interested in church renewal, rural sociology, and practical ministry that serves both individuals and the wider community.