How Village Churches Thrive - a first look at a new book

How Village Churches Thrive: A Practical Guide

Ruth Green and Mark Betson (ed.s)

London: Church House Publishing, 2022 (ISBN: 9781781402191 pb, 186pp)

 

(God willing, full review to follow in due course)

 

Probably every village vicar should look at this potentially excellently useful book. You might not agree with everything or find it all helpful, but it might only demand an afternoon of your time. Even if you are not persuaded that good hand lotion is a missional priority nor that “foraging for God” (whatever that is) should be encouraged, there is gold here. There will likely be things you want to discuss with your church wardens or PCC. Much will be in the category of useful reminder. You might think, “we do that, we tried that, we could do that, I can’t see that working in our context”. But more  than likely there will be something to think about afresh and a new idea. A few times I thought, yes, I could pretty easily raise my game in this area. There are so many things to think about in ministry, this book might offer a different perspective especially on things that might matter to newcomers or those who might come. It is strong, for example, on seeking to consult the wider community. I thought our welcome to walkers was brilliant, but maybe we could also offer a first aid kit, puncture kit and mobile phone charging.

 

How Village Churches Thrive talks about some essentials. Readers may want more on the great essentials: Jesus, the gospel, God and the Bible. But this is seeking to be a practical guide. Some suggestions for further reading are given but to some extent you will need to bring your own theology and prayer, but there is an exciting journey here! For my money a more sustained treatment of the desired destination (what we mean by “church” and “thrive”) might have added value.

 

The book could suggest an overwhelming amount of activity. The main thing, of course, is to continue to sow the Word of God and look to the Spirit to produce a crop of thirty, sixty or even a hundred times what was sown. There will be some helpful next practical steps here too, especially if you can encourage a team to take on a project.

 

This attractive full-colour illustrated book has a foreword from comedian Hugh Dennis, is introduced by Robert Atwell, the lead C of E bishop for rural affairs, and has an afterword from the Archbishop of York. Ten chapters developed by a variety of authors cover subjects such as extending a warm welcome; making the most of life events, buildings, churchyard, festivals; welcoming children, the lonely and the isolated; and communicating effectively. Each identifies three key things you will learn (just ignore these and press on if you feel patronised!) and suggests resources.

 

 It argues that whilst rural churches face enormous challenges, they also have great potential to blossom afresh given the right conditions and nurture. Rather than chasing numerical growth, we should see it as the fruit of a healthy relationship with Jesus Christ. Small rural churches should not be made to feel like failed larger churches. This book seeks to celebrate and share wisdom from a variety of contexts and traditions, including a number of case studies. It offers itself as a menu of things to dip in to and try. We can’t always do everything and we would be right to focus, and to partner with others where we can. Small changes might make a big difference. Churches must be at the heart of their communities and have confidence in the life changing gospel. In some rural communities, the C of E is the only denomination left, so life is more ecumenical than in some town churches.

 

As an experienced rural Rector and Rural Dean in a largely rural rural deanery, I felt that Bishop Robert largely got it. He is right that there is rural and rural: rural and deep or isolated rural. Many people like to think they live in a village. We called my home suburb “the village”. Some villages are more like dormitory towns or extensions of cities. The government definition of a small school (fewer than 210 pupils) is twice the size of our local schools, one of which recently closed due to dwindling numbers. Whilst I have been here, numerous pubs have shut. The churches keep going. I thought Bishop Robert was quite optimistic to pin growth on the quality of leadership as survival is often an enormous triumph. Leaders need not only grit but should indeed pray for grace to persevere with joy. We must be more willing to adapt and to adopt a spirit of entrepreneurism and experiment, but we should be in no doubt that our core business is the worship of the Triune God, not running the pop-up Post Office.

 

More than half of the C of E’s church buildings could be classified as rural. More than 90% of these are listed. Maintaining and using the building is often enormously difficult.