New Guide to Training for Lay People in Rural Churches

from The Arthur Rank Centre

The latest resource for rural churches has just gone live on the Arthur Rank Centre website at http://www.arthurrankcentre.org.uk/publications-and-resources/local-training-for-lay-people .

Members of rural churches play an essential part in the life of their communities. It is through the actions and initiatives of rural congregations that mission and ministry takes place in the countryside. Providing training to enable lay people to fulfil these roles and tasks is a vital part of the work of the modern rural church. 

This new resource provides examples of how lay people in rural churches have been trained and enabled for mission and ministry in their own local area.  It also contains guidance on the best approaches to providing training for rural congregations.  It contains:

·       practical resources that can be easily used

·       guidance on how to deliver training effectively

·       an evaluation of existing resources for their usefulness to rural congregations.

It is a unique tool to enhance and enable the mission and ministry of rural church members.

“The examples included here are just what hard-pressed rural congregations need; easy to use, simple to deliver and tailored for the unique circumstances of many rural churches. They are a real encouragement for rural churches to develop and equip their own lay people for service and mission” said Canon Dr Jill Hopkinson, National Rural Officer for the Church of England.

“The release of lay skills is absolutely crucial to rural mission and ministry. The Arthur Rank Centre is committed to being at the cutting edge of encouraging, supporting and helping train lay church members. These new resources are important step forward” said Jerry Marshall, CE0, Arthur Rank Centre.

The material adds to the large library of on-line resources for rural churches at www.arthurrankcentre.org.uk, ranging from worship material to evangelism training to community audits.

For more information please contact:

Jerry Marshall, 024 7685 3063  jerrym@arthurrankcentre.org.uk 

Website:  www.arthurrankcentre.org.uk