Rural churches make a valuable contribution to the kingdom, our nation, and the Rocky Mountain Ministry Network’s culture. Let mention eight invaluable contributions.
1. Rural America is one of the last places where historic American values still endure. Rural communities in Colorado and Utah are places where God, country, morality, family, work ethic, and patriotism are still valued.
2. Rural ministry provides a valuable model of church health. After finishing research on the spiritual health of churches of all sizes across the country, Christian Schwartz identified eight qualities of healthy churches. He concluded that small churches more consistently demonstrated higher levels of health in each of the eight categories.
3. Rural populations practice the most natural models of community. Whether it is work, play, worship, or service, those who live in rural communities do life together. Belonging, commitment, community service, volunteerism, and togetherness are part of their cultural identity and DNA.
4. Rural communities provide a biblical model of Christian service. Contrary to their suburban and urban counterparts, rural churches are better at involving others and releasing the body of Christ to do ministry. In their study of ten strengths of U.S. congregations, Cynthia Woolever and Debora Bruce reported that 63 percent of small church members are active participants giving their time, talent, and money to their church. This is significantly higher than that of suburban or urban churches that have developed a more significant dependence on paid staff and formal leadership structures. Rural churches have figured out more relational ways to delegate and empower their volunteers.
5. Rural churches provide an effective model of intergenerational ministry. While suburban and urban churches tend to divide or segregate by age, stylistic preferences, and gender, most rural churches are multigenerational in their application of ministry. Families worship, fellowship, and volunteer together even if the teaching is accomplished through age-appropriate channels.
6. Rural churches provide an efficient and simplistic model of ministry. While suburban ministries are becoming more complex, expensive, volunteer intensive, and vulnerable to “fad chasing,” rural churches tend to be more simplistic and practical. In an age when the church needs to return to the basics of discipleship, the rural church is a reliable model.
7. Rural churches have more consistent models of community involvement. While suburban and urban churches seem to be demanding more time, money, and volunteers just to keep their machinery of inhouse ministries functioning, rural churches are most always engaged in community service. For them, assisting with community projects, volunteer fire departments, local organizations, and just about any significant happening in town is natural. They are a proven and powerful model of collaboration, cooperation, and community problem solving.
8. Rural pastors have a greater influence upon their entire communities. In a rural community, the pastor is more than a leader of a church; they are considered a spiritual leader in the entire community. They are often involved in the spiritual, physical, emotional, social and economic sectors of their communities. Few pastorates offer the opportunity for impact and influence as those in rural areas.
NOTES
1. Ibid., p. 167.
2. Cynthia Woolever and Debora Bruce, Beyond the Ordinary: 10 Strengths of U.S. Congregations, Westminister John Knox Press, Louisville, KY, 2004, p. 135.