L. Shannon Jung and David Poling-Goldenne, Editors, Discovering Hope: Building Vitality in Rural Congregations. Augsburg Fortress Press, 2001.
Referenced in: Small Church Leadership
LifeandLeadership.com Summary
In this volume the authors describe the best practices of twenty-six carefully chosen effective rural congregations from among the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA). It is very responsibly written.
The authors are aligned with the Center for Theology and Land, emphasizing alternative agriculture; economic, political, and social justice for rural communities; a push against agribusiness, etc. Some will appreciate this broadening of the missional horizon. Others will profit from this book simply to better understand rural ministry, especially if they do not have previous experience in such settings. Conservative and evangelical practitioners may not always share the values of the congregations described, but the stories will reveal how some rural churches have uniquely positioned themselves to advance the kingdom in their contexts.
The authors suggest that vital, growing rural congregations demonstrate six best ministry practices. Through story and example, they show how these were expressed in each of the twenty-six congregations:
- Prayer (letting go and letting God)
- Worship (building community and hope)
- Making disciples (learning to live Jesus’ way)
- Evangelism (a way of life)
- Caring ministries (serving as Jesus served)
- Leadership (who’s driving the tractor?).
Poling-Goldenne and Jung describe each practice through story and example. They then summarize strategies and offer scriptural reflection to apply to the reader’s home congregations.
Each chapter ends with a challenge for the readers to designate two action items that they might implement over the next six months to a year. This, along with the biblical reflection exercises, make this a very useful planning tool.
Do not expect quick fixes or unrealistic promises, but a hopeful and incremental approach to congregational renewal. There is also a helpful companion video for group use.
About the Author
L. Shannon Jung is Director of the Center for Theology and Land, a joint project of the Wartburg and University of Dubuque Theological Seminaries in Iowa.
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