Rural Congregational Studies: A Guide for Good Shepherds

Two hundred fifty thousand or two-thirds of all congregations are small, meaning that fewer than 80 persons worship together. The majority of these congregations are rural, in small towns or dotting the countryside. Nearly all pastors sent to rural congregations were nurtured in larger urban congregations, and nearly always educated in urbanized seminaries. A wide culture gap between leaders and members often emerges among the church leaders in rural congregations. The book is designed to address and study the issues that arise when ordained and lay pastors are called or appointed to rural congregations.