For a complete collection of church planting resources for small churches, see our church planting resources hub.

For a step-by-step system, see our guide to building a church visitor follow-up system that actually works.

By Brent Lacy

35% of U.S. congregations are in rural areas. 60% of rural residents are unchurched or de-churched. Rural churches carry a significant mission — and they carry it with limited resources, limited support, and limited visibility.

Most ministry resources are built for cities. MinistryPlace is built for rural churches. Here is a practical guide to rural church ministry, with free resources for every aspect of the work.

The Rural Church Reality

Rural church ministry is different from urban church ministry in ways that matter.

Growth is slower. Relationships take longer to build. The community is skeptical of outsiders. The pastor is often bi-vocational. The budget is tight. The building is old. And the nearest ministry colleague may be 30 miles away.

But rural churches also have advantages that urban churches do not. The pastor knows the congregation by name. The congregation knows the community. The church has been present in the town for generations. That history and those relationships are assets that no amount of money can buy.

Rural Outreach

Rural outreach is different from urban outreach. You cannot run a “community event” and expect 500 strangers to show up. The most effective rural outreach strategy costs nothing: show up. Be present in the community. Eat at the local diner. Attend the high school football game. Be a neighbor before you are a pastor.

See the Rural Church Outreach guide for practical ideas that work in small towns.

Bi-Vocational Ministry

Nearly half of all evangelical pastors serve bi-vocationally. In rural areas, that percentage is even higher. Bi-vocational ministry is not a compromise. For millions of rural churches, it is the model.

See the Bi-Vocational Pastor Resources Hub for a complete collection of free resources for bi-vocational pastors.

Church Health and Revitalization

40% of rural churches have declined in attendance over the past decade. Revitalization is possible, but it requires honesty, patience, and a willingness to change. It takes three to five years at minimum. Most revitalization efforts that fail do so because the congregation or pastor gives up before the work has had time to produce results.

See the Rural Church Revitalization guide for a realistic framework.

Rural Church Planting

Rural church planting requires a long-term commitment to a specific place and people. You cannot plant a rural church as a stepping stone to something bigger. The community will know if you are not genuinely committed to them.

See the Church Planting in Rural Communities guide for a realistic guide to starting a church in a small town.

Free Rural Church Resources

MinistryPlace has a full library of free resources for small and rural churches. No email required, no subscription, no catch.