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Rural double issue

Rural fresh expressions and rural cells - an introduction to the booklets: 

People tell us that rural church life can be very discouraging. "Attendance mentality" can often thwart a sense of community because people leave and don't mix afterwards. People come as observers and consumers rather than participants. Also, lay ministry is stifled at birth and colludes with "father knows best" attitudes (though these days it can be mother).

People often assume that "fresh expressions of church" or "emerging churches" only work in cities, towns and their suburbs where there are enough young and trendy adults to get something off the ground. This is not true.

These two Encounters issues tell stories that show that "fresh expression of church" can flourish even in very isolated areas. The first issue no.27 The Village and Fresh Expressions: Is Rural Different? looks at the different groups now found in village life and concludes that one expression of church (even a traditional model) will alone be able to connect with all of them in their diversity. It concludes with the story of a church that grew a new different congregation alongside the traditional Sunday morning church congregation.

The second issue no.28 Rural Cell Church: A New Wayside Flower describes a rural cell church in the Tas Valley, two and a half miles south of Norwich. It grew out of flourishing process evangelism courses where new Christians couldn't relate to congregational life on a Sunday. Cell seemed the best kind of church for continuing the process of discipleship for the Alpha converts and gently coaxing more mature Christians into lay leadership. In the telling of these two stories, The Sheffield Centre offers valuable reflection on key issues for anyone thinking of planting a fresh expression in the countryside.