Rural Church RESCUE: A Call to Restore Healthy Churches to Rural North America

by Jon Sanders

At first glance it may appear that the church in rural North America is thriving. Nestled just below any average small town skyline of water towers and grain elevators one will find the steeples and stained glass windows of various church buildings. From a distance it would seem that rural communities are being sufficiently served by the mere number of churches present.But a closer look within the walls of the average rural church paints a much different and disturbing picture. Many rural churches find themselves stuck in a current of decline that is ultimately leading to their death. They lack a clear understanding of their purpose. They are floundering in an absence of leadership. They possess little to no vision for how a BIG God longs to impact their small community for His eternal kingdom. And instead of embracing the changes necessary to propel them into the future, they are clinging to worn out traditions of the past.Rural Church RESCUE speaks directly to churches struggling with these issues. Speaking from his experience as both a rural church pastor and firefighter, Jon Sanders presents a unique perspective on these common problems facing the rural church. Using a metaphor drawn from the world of the fire service, Sanders outlines six principles necessary for rural churches to be healthy and reclaim the vital role God has called them to in their communities.

108 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 2, 2018

Reviews

[Rocky Henriques · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much valuable information

As the pastor of an aging rural congregation I found this book to be helpful in many regards, but if course it did not apply in every fiber point to my situation. I don't think Sanders would expect it to, either. But there are some very good ideas and experiences described here which will encourage and inspire those who take the time to read.
I do wish the editing had been a little more carefully done, and that the author's language had not been so crude in some rare instances. Where he serves, using those terms may not even bat an eye, but they simply do not work in the church or area I'm in. Anyone writing for the Church at large needs to be aware of those things and avoid using language which could distract from the overall message.

[Rich Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

I thought of you when I read this quote from "Rural Church RESCUE: A Call to Restore Healthy Churches to Rural North America" by Jon Sanders -

"Recognizing the mission Executing strong leadership Speaking a compelling vision Covering their community Unleashing the volunteers Embracing the future while still honoring the past"

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