What do you get when you take two moms who love children's ministries and ask them to plan the Vacation Bible School program at their church? If you asked Gennifer Anderson and Sonja Toews that question, their answer would be-this book! With more than twenty years of combined experience coordinating the VBS program for their church each summer, these two moms decided to write their own VBS programs to meet the needs of their church and offer a different program to their community other than the …

For those reared in a small town, this book will provide numerous a-ha insights: yes that is what formed me. For pastors living for the first time in a small town, the ideas of the book provide a lens for understanding that uniquely different small community context. Larry Ferris provides a moving affirmation of the small town and its unique challenges for ministry. The images of 'pastor as outsider' who holds the congregation's concerns with compassion and confidentiality and of 'bridge buil…

Does your small-town church have a big-time vision for growth and evangelism? Don't be discouraged by the big bucks, big talent, and big facilities of megachurches in America's cosmopolitan areas. In Micropolitan Church: Doing Mega-ministry in America's Small Towns, author Jerry Harris presents proven strategies for outwardly focused, small-town (populations below fifty thousand) church communities to grow exponentially and make differences in thousands of lives. Harris uses his experiences a…

A small community with a shrinking population, LaMoure, North Dakaota, was definitely not the desired backdrop for church growth. With church stats reporting that "three died, six moved, and two dropped out," LaMoure was not expected to survive, much less thrive. But then a new pastor moved to town. A pastor who didn't recognize the lackluster expectations for the church. Pastor Paul Hazelton dared to ask himself and his congregation, "Can small-town churches be revitalized? Can THIS small-town …

The authors celebrate the small and rural church, showing pastors how they can uncap the potential in these congregations by learning to appreciate and accept their differences.

Statistics show that our nation is becoming increasingly urbanized. Yet, there are many thriving rural communities, and they are in desperate need of evangelistic ministry. From his own experience, Longenecker shares practical, down-to-earth material on the ABCs of building town and country churches. Though an older book, the ideas are still relevant for today.

Most of the sixteen million Southern Baptists were classified in a recent news article as living in either suburban, small town, or rural areas. Phillip B. Jones, director of the Strategic Planning Support Team of the North American Mission Board, stated: "Most Southern Baptist congregations are small and are located in small towns and rural areas. Over a third are located in rural or open country." He also observed, "Slightly less than a third are located in small towns and villages of less …

For millions of Americans, small towns are places to live, work, make friends, raise their families, and die. It's a place of tradition, relatives and friends. Most small communities are typically secure, progressive, wonderful, authentic, vibrant, healthy... and needy. They represent a huge mission field that is ripe for a relevant gospel witness.This book is written to inspire, encourage and challenge anyone who has ever thought of planting a new church to consider the possibility of living th…

Urban, suburban and rural churches may have the same mission and engage in a similar activities, but ministry in rural places is significantly different from ministry in the city. During thirty five years in rural ministry, Lee J. Smith found that the issues rural pastors face are not addressed in most seminary curricula or pastoral conferences. Reflections of a Small Town Pastor offers theological and practical reflections on ministry in smaller places. From preaching and leadership, to becomin…

Small-town living and faith come alive in the experiences and personalities of life in the tiny dairy farm community of Addicks, Texas. Let your mind wander back to a simpler time as you read poetry inspired by life in a small Methodist church. In Little White Church in the Vale, author Bonnie Watkins recalls her childhood in Addicks and paints a picture of her life in the community. In brilliant details, she describes the stained glass windows in her church, the gardenia bushes outside, and …