STATISTICAL STRENGTHS OF THE RURAL CHURCH
Randolph F. Legassie
April 1, 1990
After years of focus on the large church, there is now renewed interest in the rural church-congregations whose attendance would not make a decent Sunday school class in a megachurch.
As the pastor of four small, rural churches, I welcome this interest. But I have noticed a troubling trend: discussions of the rural church have the air of a family of a terminally ill patient. Unless drastic and dramatic measures are taken, so the thinking seems, the rural church will be lost.
Nonsense. Although the rural church needs help, it is not in danger of extinction. In fact, the rural church holds many inherent strengths.
The strengths usually cited are "soft" features: rural congregations function as a small group; relationships are close; concern is felt and expressed among the members. These features are seen as a consolation for the lack of "hard," numerical strengths.
Actually, rural churches can boast of some impressive numerical facts.
Percentage of community penetration
The five communities I serve have approximately 1,000 people, and our congregations minister directly to more than one-third of them. To be specific, there are roughly 292 households, and of these, 108 are directly connected with our Lower Granville congregations. That is, at least one person from each of these homes is a member or regular attender.
Such deep community penetration is not unique to our churches; I know other rural parishes that can claim a similar percentage. I grew up in a congregation, for example, that currently has 229 members in a community of about 1,500. Even the largest megachurches cannot claim that sort of community penetration.
The penetration statistics grow even stronger when you realize our churches regularly minister to, or relate to, ...
Like the preview? To read this complete article
and 18,013 more in the archive—JOIN NOW!
Easily find high-quality, well-researched materials that provide a Christian perspective on topics ranging from headlines to history.
Start using this invaluable tool TODAY for preparing your Bible studies, presentations, class lectures, sermons, meetings, and more.
|
It's easy and quick to join:
Brought to You by Christianity Today Int'l |  |
|
| 
Find similar articles
E-mail this page
