{"id":2561,"date":"2019-05-20T16:49:59","date_gmt":"2019-05-20T16:49:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/missions.nalcnetwork.com\/?p=2561"},"modified":"2019-06-01T21:57:24","modified_gmt":"2019-06-01T21:57:24","slug":"the-academy-the-small-and-rural-church-part-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/missions.nalcnetwork.com\/the-academy-the-small-and-rural-church-part-2\/","title":{"rendered":"The Academy: The Small and Rural Church Part #2"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
The NALC is committed to the renewal of all our congregations, working to develop and deliver resources that challenge and open the NALC to the work of the Holy Spirit in our ministry and mission. Join us for June’s session of The Academy: The Small and Rural Church Part #2.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
There is a prevailing attitude in some quarters, that if a church doesn’t worship many people, receive an adequate sum of offerings, or isn’t saturated with daily programming, that it is not a viable center for mission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some believe that if a congregation is aging and struggling to do ministry in communities which are declining, then it has little hope for the future. Sadly these thoughts and opinions are based on worldly standards rather that what the Holy Spirit is doing. Small and rural churches are the backbone of the Christian community in the United States. Whether these congregations are found in tiny towns, the middle of farmland, residential enclaves in suburbia or nestled within bustling cities, groups of dedicated individuals gather in mission, centered in Word and Sacrament, seeing ways to build relationships and reach out to neighbors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n