Rural Theology Association

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2003 Conference/AGM

Residential Conference
November 25-27 2003
on "The Rural Idyll and the Kingdom of Christ" at Swanwick, Derbyshire

The main conference speakers were...

Dr Anne Richards
Theological Consultant, Mission and Public Affairs in the C of E, who spoke on Scriptural Imperatives for Transformation

Chris Sugden
Director of the Oxford Centre for Mission Studies, who spoke on the Transforming Power of the Holy Spirit drawing on experiences of Bangalore and Bali in relation to his current involvement in an English village

Helen Wright
Rural Development Manager, East Riding, Yorkshire County Council, who spoke on the government's aspirations for rural transformation

David Hawtin
Bishop of Repton, who spoke on signs of hope
 

The Conference was held to examine the dichotomy between the supposed "idyll" of living in rural Britain and the Gospel call to change in repentance and forgiveness.

Many people aspire to live in the countryside but a lot discover that it is not as they thought. Lack of services (shops, doctors, schools, transport) coupled with unexpected things like tranquility shattered by tractors, bantams and bullocks lead to a dis-enchantment. Coupled with that is an often quiet resentment by established locals to any attempt by incomers to display leadership.

The churches may seem to be an oasis of permanence yet their calling is to bring about the kingdom of heaven on earth. The conference examined what that means and took note of the recent intense interest in things rural by government.
 

Various themes emerged. Renewal often comes out of loss. Necessary change has to be faced and strategies developed to bring them about. If village life is about a recognizable "community", and most agreed that it is, it has immense value, and bears something of the nature of Christ’s call to "love one another". That, coupled with the presence of the churches, however tenuously, in just about every place and of its ministers in many of them, gives the churches a unique role. Frequently that role is not recognised, especially in local and national government circles.

Too often churches have colluded to allow folk to think that "everything in the garden is lovely". Everyone, that is, apart from those who are living in rural poverty. Therefore ‘Church’ and ‘No Change’, have become synonymous on occasion. Frequently that is because of confusion over the churches’ role to be both a rock and the channel of the Holy Spirit. There are also sociological factors at work.

Speakers reminded the conference that Scripture speaks often and harshly about the call to leave behind the old and go on in faith, yet too often "God’s frozen people" cannot break with the past nor identify what baggage to take with them and what to leave behind. In Scripture, as in life, those who go in faith find new ways in amazing yet totally unexpected ways. Frequently human-centred distortions of both the rural idyll and the kingdom of Christ cause confusion. They can be re-focussed by returning to scripture.

1st

Culture changes. Various examples were given of an appropriate response to that when presenting the gospel. They can be liberating. But it is more easy to use the familiar ways although they can often lead to disappointment all round.

It is in the unexpected that surprise and new life can often be found. Certainly the past cannot be re-created. That is the fantasy of one who clings to the "rural idyll". Nonetheless, those who live in the countryside can have a closer appreciation of nature and the seasons. However, some ignore it even whilst living in the midst of it. The Christian churches have relegated the position of animals and nature to second place after humanity. That is a misinterpretation of Scripture and theology. Much has been thrown out with the bath water. The proper part of all Creation in God’s scheme, once appreciated, can lead to a much broader vision and a better understanding of the realities of the "rural idyll".

2nd

The government is pro-active in things rural, which is a new experience. There is much to learn but many initiatives are driven by regional interests rather than local ones. That causes confusion and disappointment. A lot is being achieved but how long will rural affairs appear high on the national agenda? Church and village organisations need to be much more aware of what is happening.

Religion gives an interpretation of life and its practice allows for times of reflection and re-connection. Often it is the confusion of those facets that leads people to the notion that the Christian faith can be a bulwark against unwelcome change rather than a door to a refreshing experience of reality. There are many signs of hope in British country churches of all denominations. Discerning them and encouraging them is the task not just of professionals but of each member.

 

There were also group discussions and seminars on Geographical Relationships and Discontinuities, Implementing the Anglican-Methodist Covenant in Rural Areas, Church Tourism, Change in Rural communities and Churches, and CAP reforms.

At the Annual Meeting, Mandy Robbins was elected Treasurer and Mark Rylands as a member of the Executive Committee.

 

RTA AGM 2003 (held at November conference)

Our president, Leslie Francis, unveiled the "new look" Rural Theology, which he now edits. One problem we have struggled with for some time is the lack of training in rural parish work in theological colleges and other training courses and institutions. Our hope is that the journal will now be more acceptable for inclusion in academic libraries so that rural issues can be understood by students.

Due to printing errors, we have extra copies of the journal in which the text is fine, but the margins incorrect. If any member would like copies to give to prospective members, please contact Mandy Robbins, whose details are on the inside front cover of the journal.

Thanks to the organisers, Stephen Cope and Peter Lawrence, for ensuring that the conference was so interesting and to Mark Rylands for superb and thought-provoking worship.

The following were elected to the RTA executive:


Mrs Jane Hald (Chairman)
Revd Jim Mynors (Vice-chairman)
Revd Stephen Cope (Secretary)
Dr Mandy Robbins (Treasurer)
Canon Peter Lawrence (Groups)
Mrs Jenny Carpenter (Arthur Rank Centre)
Mr Graham Elsom
Mrs Sallie Bassham
Revd Robert Stapleton
Canon Mark Rylands

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