Re-Shaping Rural Ministry
A Theological and Practical Handbook
Edited by James Bell, Jill Hopkinson and Trevor Wilmott
Paperback
Price: £14.99
Publisher:Canterbury Press imprint of Hymns Ancient & Modern Ltd
Published:26 November 2009
ISBN:978-1-853-11953-8
GoodBookStall Review:
This collection of diverse essays gives an interesting picture of ‘rural’ England today, representing it still as an idyll of village communities with some level of economic and social coherence. Commuters are mentioned, of course, but their roles are not directly investigated. The ‘re-shaping’ of ministry is more to do with reducing numbers of clergy, and encouraging diverse and independent lay ministries within communities, than with reaching towards new patterns of associative church membership. That said, the book does present a variety of pictures of increased commitment to support and love for each other among lay people within communities, and ideas about how such ministry can be recognised and supported within specific church discourses – in cities as well as villages.
Reviewer: Su Reid (22/05/10)
This collection of diverse essays gives an interesting picture of ‘rural’ England today, representing it still as an idyll of village communities with some level of economic and social coherence. Commuters are mentioned, of course, but their roles are not directly investigated. The ‘re-shaping’ of ministry is more to do with reducing numbers of clergy, and encouraging diverse and independent lay ministries within communities, than with reaching towards new patterns of associative church membership. That said, the book does present a variety of pictures of increased commitment to support and love for each other among lay people within communities, and ideas about how such ministry can be recognised and supported within specific church discourses – in cities as well as villages.
Reviewer: Su Reid (22/05/10)
