FAITH IN THE COUNTRYSIDE
Transforming communities
By Declan Flanagan. Rural Ministries. 98 pages. £7.99
ISBN 978-0-95658-250-8
About three years ago, I moved with my wife from a university town to a rural village to pastor a church.
I spent my childhood growing up in a village and so I thought I had a good understanding of rural living. ‘Faith in the countryside’ is a small book but asks some big questions, highlighting the changes in rural communities in the last few decades. The book has been effective in making me think about what constitutes a village community and how best to minister in such a setting. From my vantage point, it seems that Declan Flanagan’s comments are perceptive as he writes about the problems in small, rural churches and presents some of the many opportunities — if I didn’t know better I would think he has been visiting Downe, where I live!
Since most rural churches are small in comparison to urban churches, the writer helpfully considers how leaders and members of a church should build on the strengths of what the church has, not what it does not have. The book addresses the possible need for change and how this may be done without attempting too much, and encourages leaders to be focused on just a few things, especially shaping the future. There is even a chapter on church planting, which may seem impossible for a small church except that examples are given where, in the providence of God, churches have been successfully planted. Illustrated with many examples and packed with thought-provoking activities, this book is an extremely practical book; useful, encouraging, and recommended for anyone living in the countryside who wants to see the Head of the church glorified, even Jesus Christ. (I will be giving a copy to our other elders, trusting that it will lead to profitable discussions.)
You get what it says on the cover: ‘Helpful insights, inspiring stories and exercises that your church may use in assessing the present and preparing for the future’.
Richard Peskett,
pastor of a Grace Baptist church in the village of Downe, Kent
