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Full versions of some of these articles should be available online, to members, in late 2007.
Belonging to rural church and society:
theological and sociological perspectives
David S Walker
Abstract
Recent writing has focussed on the ‘network’ dimension of belonging, with the inference that geographical belonging is of more limited importance. This paper examines the continuing significance of the latter concept with reference to the rural English community and parish church. Key categories of individuals with a claim to belong in the English countryside are identified and the notion of belonging as a theological concept is expanded. A fourfold model of belonging to activities, people, events and places is developed and used to investigate how the ministry of the parish church relates to those who would define themselves as belonging with it.
The invisible countryside of the New Testament
William A Strange
Abstract
There is a clear contrast in the New Testament between the treatment of the countryside in Paul (for whom rural concerns emerge only as the source for occasional metaphors) and the Synoptic gospels (in which agrarian life is portrayed unselfconsciously but in sympathetic detail). This article explores rural imagery and the depiction of the countryside in the Synoptics. This article also seeks to explain the process by which the countryside became invisible to Paul by observing the shift from the mainly rural context of Jesus’ first followers to the urban context of Paul’s mission. It notes the significance of Luke’s transition from a Synoptic to a Pauline perspective between the gospel and Acts. It reflects on issues of urban power and rural powerlessness in the first and twenty-first centuries.
Sacred place and pilgrimage: modern visitors to the shrine of St Melangell Michael Keulemans and Lewis Burton
Abstract
The two concepts of sacred place and pilgrimage are explored in relation to the shrine of St Melangell at Pennant Melangell in Mid Wales. An empirical study was mounted during the first three months of 2004 when visitors to the shrine were presented with a questionnaire to ascertain their reactions to sacred place and pilgrimage stimulated by their visit. Analyses of resulting data show that many visitors today are aware of sacred place and can be described as being on pilgrimage. Data also show possibilities for energising small local rural churches which at the present time might be in danger of redundancy.
The old
rectory: the Church of England’s sale of its parsonages
Anthony J S Jennings
Abstract
The Church of England has been selling off its traditional rectories and vicarages for many years because it perceives them to be irrelevant to the modern ministry. This policy is mistaken because the traditional parsonage is a potent symbol of the Church in the rural community. Its physical presence and facilities are also important to the identity of the village. It not only gives the Church a higher profile but helps to sustain the community as a whole.
RESEARCH REPORT
Views on baptism and confirmation in
the Church in Wales: are rural clergy different?
Keith Littler
Abstract
A survey of all Church in Wales stipendiary parochial clergy sought clerics’ views on various aspects of baptism and confirmation. A 65% response produced data to suggest that 58% of the respondents serve in urban parishes and 42% in rural parishes. The views of urban and rural clerics were found to show statistically significant differences in respect of eleven key items on baptism and confirmation. These data support other research suggesting that rural clergy are more community orientated and probably more sensitive to the conservative views of parishioners.
RESEARCH REPORT
The effectiveness of a lunch club for
the elderly: a rural case study
Becky Fisher and Lewis
Burton
Abstract
As part of its ministry to a village in South Oxfordshire a rural Methodist church developed the provision of a monthly luncheon club for the elderly. Those attending were asked to give responses to questions regarding their personal circumstances. Results suggest some of the difficulties relating to the care of the elderly in rural locations.