The Road To Rural Revival #2

How sweet on a clear Sabbath morning,

To list'n to the clear ringing bells;

It's tones are so sweetly calling,

Oh come to the church in the vale.

Come to the church in the wildwood,

Oh come to the church in the vale,

No spot is so dear to my childhood,

As the little brown church in the vale

The Church in the Wildwood has always been a favorite song of mine. Perhaps this is because it harkens back to what many eulogize as a simpler time. Perhaps it is because the second verse speaking of the clear ringing bells reminds me of my own home church. Yet, let us not be in delusion, the days of the church in the Wildwood are far gone. Rural churches are no longer able to press on in seclusion or stale tradition as they were in eras past. Today, the rural church is in the midst of a half century decline of both numbers and spiritual vitality. Where does the restoration begin? Consider my broad but flexible suggestions...

1) Rural Church revival must be coupled with rural economic revival.

This is a task that is certainly easier said than done. Yet, churches in small towns or rural areas should not be afraid to be thoughtful voices in the community for economic growth. Smart zoning and rural development, small farm subsidies, conservation, tax concerns, and rural education are all areas that require advocacy and attention. (Maybe not from the pastor directly, but rural church members should be heartily encouraged on these issues.)http://www.pcusa.org/rural/ is a good website to visit for more on this.

2)The rural church must embrace the best of its identity.

a) This means utilizing the highly relational nature of rural congregations. The small country church is much more likely to have the feel of a large family. Church's should nurture this strength and use it to the best of the ability. In rural society church is one of the few places you can "belong".

b) The rural church cannot be afraid of traditional worship or even worship with a more "country" or "gospel" twist. As long as worship is theologically Triunely centered and balanced and edifies the believers it is a plus. On occasion the praise choruses of megachurchdom can be fairly innefective especially in conservative areas or in areas were there are a large number of unchurched people. (ex. rural areas)

c) The rural church must also seek to intentionally develop its community voice and presence by fearlessly speaking out on community issues or beginning a community mission of some sort.

3) The rural church must readily reject the worst of its identity.

a) The rural church must seek intentional diversity with new or isolated people groups. In much of the midwest this means having a Hispanic outreach ministry or begining a Spanish-language worship service. (Of course, this implies the willingness and resources to bring a Latino(a) pastor on staff.) At any rate, many of the cities, towns, and rural areas of the upper Wabash Valley have Hispanic populations ranging from 8%-30% and all are rising.

b) The rural church must discard its closed nature. One of the pitfalls of being a family is exclusivity. This is a cloak the rural church must shed or it is doomed.

c) The rural church must be Bible based. Too often the devil sneaks in under the guise of "common sense", cultural wisdom, and "how we've always done things".

Coming Soon... The Conclusion to the Road to Rural Revival series.