The Plight of the Rural Church

The Reverend Dr. A.J. Pell is rector of Holy Trinity Cathedral in the
Diocese of New Westminster, British Columbia.

Sim is a lay person who farms and works as a consultant in the Ottawa
Valley. He can thus write not so much about the rural church, but out of
and for it. He challenges assumptions, both traditional-rural and
modern-urban, that denigrate the value, role, and mission of rural
churches and congregations. He also offers suggestions for rethinking
and revitalizing Christian ministry in rural areas. However, he is
defeated by brevity. For those who know nothing of the rural church,
this slim monograph might be a useful introduction. However, laity and
clergy struggling with rural ministry will have to look elsewhere for
substantive help.