Celebrating rural mission 

Ruth Leigh reports on the recent LoveRural conference, an ecumenical gathering in which rural mission enthusiasts came together to praise God, learn, network and support each other 

You could be forgiven for thinking that the rural church was in terminal decline. Dwindling and ageing congregations, overstretched clergy, buildings in dire need of repair and constant shortage of money seem to be the headlines at the moment.
 
But as so often, look a little closer and the real story is quite a different one. The recent LoveRural conference saw more than 170 people from a mixture of denominations and backgrounds gathering in St Edmundsbury Cathedral, for two days of fellowship, learning and inspiration about rural mission.

LoveRural conference was the brainchild of Sally Gaze, Archdeacon for Rural Mission in the Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich. I asked her how the whole thing started.
 
‘The conference was originally planned to share learning in rural mission from a nationally funded project in Suffolk called Growing in God in the Countryside but very quickly, it was clear that there was so much more to share that God has been doing across England.  
 
‘I thought it would be great to run a conference that wasn’t owned by any one denomination or mission agency, but in which rural mission enthusiasts came together to praise God, learn, network and support each other.’
 
Sally worked with a team of co-hosts and was supported by a number of agencies including the Arthur Rank Centre, Rural Ministries, Agricultural Chaplains Association, Roots, Myriad, ReSource and Rural Missions. 
 
Bishop Mike Harrison, the Bishop of Exeter and Simon Mattholie, minister of Clare Baptist Church and former CEO of Rural Ministries (pictured), were the keynote speakers.



Many of the seminars came from the Lightwave Community which has seen 657 new disciples across rural Suffolk from 2019- 2024. Others came from Rural Resourcing Hubs who have been meeting in a learning community over the last two years.
 
Diane Grano leads a Lightwave Rural Resourcing Hub. ‘At LoveRural, I was so blessed to meet many other Christians who were able to share the amazing work they are doing in rural areas. God is definitely moving. With all the new housing in the countryside, there aren’t enough resources for young families. 
 
‘Our rural churches are often inaccessible and not fit for purpose for work with youth and children. That said, I feel the rural church has the privilege of becoming the centre of these communities in collaboration with schools, parish councils, and doctors' surgeries.’
 
Many clergy have to juggle more than one church, such as the Revd Chrissie Smart who is in charge of the eight churches which make up the Four Rivers Group. 
 
‘The challenge is how to grow the church when you have a number of tiny parishes. I’m excited about the way Gen-Z is talking about spirituality – many of them want to come to church, but they’re not quite sure what to expect. 
 
‘In my benefice, we’ve got three and a half thousand people, with around seventy-five coming to church. We’re seeing real growth, more baptisms and relationships blossoming. This conference has been a huge encouragement to me.’



 
Matt Jeffrey, CEO of the Arthur Rank Centre, which resources, trains, and advocates for rural Christians, rural churches and the communities they serve, was enthused by the conference. He and others hope to come together to run the conference again next year.
 
He said, ‘Wonderful worship, insightful input, caring community and love filled listening... Thank you to all for the many deep conversations held of our shared love for the rural church and rural communities. We journey together through the challenges and celebrate in the joys, as we seek to discern the whispers of the Spirit of God who goes before us and faithfully serve our Lord in the places to which we are sent and called...'
 
Delegates had plenty of choice when it came to workshops. Sessions on intentional discipleship, rural schools’ ministry, top tips for flourishing in a multi-parish benefice (much needed!) the Quiet Revival, rural church planting and outdoor church amongst others were well-attended and much appreciated. 
 
Richard Tiplady from Brendan Research presented research on rural mission projects which resonated with wider rural experience. The Bishop of Hereford led a reflective session on how to release creativity in rural mission.
 
Suzie Wall, the event manager, was delighted with the way the conference went. 
 
‘The interest and uptake were exciting – a huge number of people who work in the rural faith community want to come together, talk and share. We attracted such a diverse mix of delegates, and who knows? We might do it all again next year.’
 
Sally has the last word. 
 
‘Being together reminded us all that rural does not need to be the poor relation when it comes to Christian mission: God is working in the small things. For Him, it’s about people more than programmes. There is no joy like that of seeing people discover the love of Jesus.’


Images | Robert Leaveritt

 

Ruth Leigh is a Christian author and freelancer. She edits MOSAIC, the Rural Ministries magazine

You can find her on Instagram, Facebook, Threads and TikTok at ruthleighwrites and at her website, ruthleighwrites.co.uk