Reclaiming Rural: Building Thriving Rural Congregations

By Allen T Stanton

Book Overview

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.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1538135248
• ISBN13: 9781538135242
• Release Date: May 2021
• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
• Length: 136 Pages
• Weight: 0.52 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 6.0" x 9.0"