Definition of a Rural Church

“Am I in a rural church?”

This is the most common question we get asked. And it is a bit subjective.

You could define a rural church in a number of ways:

• Population below a certain number

• Isolation from other locations

• Dispersed population

• Farming is the primary industry.

What is a Rural Church?

Even the four nations of the United Kingdom can’t agree on a definition of what rural is!

Perhaps the easiest is the English definition: “a ward whose population is less than 10,000 people”.

That means a rural church would be a church situated in a ward of less than 10,000 people.

What is a Rural Hub Church?

It’s probably worth mentioning rural hubs too. Rural hubs are towns bigger than 10,000 people that serve a more rural community.

Why does this matter?

Because many rural areas will simply not be able to support a church.

However, there could still be an opportunity to reach the area via a church in a rural hub.

For example, a church in a market town may not be able to reach a rural area. However, they may have a small group in a nearby village. They would still be reaching out with the gospel message to the village.

Why Does it Matter?

The Bible doesn’t talk about “rural” or “urban” churches. So why bother?

Admittedly, rural churches can learn from urban churches.

But there unique challenges for rural churches. Therefore, it’s helpful for rural churches to team together.

(Which of course is what we’re here for)

Different Types of Rural Churches

But even within rural churches, there are differences.

Next time we’ll consider the different types of rural churches and the challenges they face.

(Note: This is part one of the series Planting in a Village Context. https://www.theruralproject.org/blog/planting-in-a-village-context)

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