The Church of England launched this week its new ‘Seeds in Holy Ground’, a workbook designed to help England’s 10,000 rural churches meet the needs of the rural population, 78.8 per cent of which classify themselves as Christian.

|TOP|According to the workbook, the rural church faces distinct challenges in meeting the expectations of their communities, while acquiring the human and financial resources of their ministry.

Rural churches must also respond to distinctly rural problems which impact their work directly, such as changes in the agricultural industry, rising house prices which are turning some villages into dormitory settlements and the poor rural public transport network.

The workbook is replete with case studies from across the country and says it is “not about encouraging rural churches to try to do even more...but to do whatever is done really well”.

‘Seeds in Holy Ground’ is split into various sections each tackling a topic of importance to rural churches, such as engagement with the wider community, working with church buildings or running mid-week activities.

Each section is designed to prompt deeper reflection on the issues raised, with questions for group discussion and activities linked to worship, mission, the surrounding and celebrating rural life.

|QUOTE|Suggested activities in the workbook include identifying ways in which the church can boost local tourism, how the church can be used as an exhibition space for local history, and considering the ways in which the church-run activities can engage the wider community.

The Rt. Rev. Michael Langrish, Bishop of Exeter and Chairman of the Church of England’s Rural Affairs Committee, said in his introduction to the book: “A network of churches relates to every inch of a nation’s life. It speaks of God who, in Christ, commits himself to specific local communities and contexts.”

The Church’s National Rural Officer, Jill Hopkinson, adds: “Rural churches face many complex challenges, typically connected to the upkeep of their buildings for the benefit of the local community and to sharing tasks and responsibilities between relatively few people.

“These churches need to be cherished and encouraged, but should not be seen as some kind of poor relative worthy sympathy – there is some amazing work going on in every corner of the country, and much that urban churches could learn from their rural brothers and sisters when reflecting on subjects such as the format of worship, ecumenical partnerships, and the use of church buildings.”

She added: “We hope this workbook will serve to provide a stimulus to discussion and prayer on different options open to rural churches when they are planning how to engage in mission.”

‘Seeds in Holy Ground’, priced £3.99, is available from Christian bookshops nationwide or can be mail ordered on 024 7669 6460.