Rural reflections

LAND OF THE LIVING
Christian Reflections on the Countryside
By Ivor MacDonald
VBW Publishing. 249 pages
£9.83 (Amazon); also available from Blythswood and Wesley Owen
ISBN 1 58939 782 7

Land of the Living is divided into an Introduction and eight chapters and its style is well described by its sub-title ‘Reflections’ on the Countryside.

Farming and especially ‘family’ farming, is in crisis in the UK and has been constantly reeling from the impacts of disease epidemics, political weakness and supermarket dominance since the mid-90s; issues that, for the many micro businesses making up a large part of the industry, are often outside their control.

In a largely urban society which has become disconnected from the realities of rural life, misconception and idealism about the role and business of food production and the management of the countryside abounds and Christians in and around the industry are left to wrestle with what their proper response should be to these difficult times and relationships. Personal stress in the sector abounds.

The author, Ivor MacDonald, is well placed to write on these issues; as a qualified agriculturalist, agricultural adviser and now minister of the gospel on the Isle of Skye, he is able to reflect on biblical history and its relevance to our present times, from which he derives helpful observations, principles and a rural theology. His analysis of the impact of globalisation on the rural sector, and the often helplessness of small producers in the face of supermarket power and the urban dominance of society, is both insightful and balanced. The book is well researched and helpfully referenced, although there are a few places where the observations are dated or over-stated in the writer’s desire to impress a point of comment.

This is a valuable and timely reference book for every Christian leader who has a rural constituency or wishes to make informed comment on rural matters. For Christians who are policy makers or seeking to find their way earning a livelihood from the land or simply living in the countryside, this book offers no panacea or universal solution. Many will draw different conclusions from the evidence and perceptions presented, but there is rich material here to encourage the heart, clarify and inform the mind and assist each of us in articulating the rural issues to a largely misinformed public. With a personal interest in FCN, I especially welcomed, towards the end of the book, the summary of Christian and secular support networks that do already exist to work with those for whom the stress and bewilderment of isolation in the rural community has become overwhelming.

Bryan Jarvis,
CEO of NPTC/City and Guilds,
elder of Emmanuel Evangelical Church, Leamington Spa

—–

AUTHOR/ARTIST: GAZE SALLY
PRODUCT PUBLISHER: Church House Publishing
FORMAT: Paper Back
SERIES: Mission Shaped

Mission-Shaped and Rural

WAS £7.99
NOW £5.99 SAVE £2.00

This insightful book looks at current issues in rural England.

This compelling book is an essential read for all who seek to minister in a rural context – whether at a local, diocesan or national level.

Using a compelling mix of theological reflection, sociological analysis, real-life case studies and personal experience this book explores ways forward for mission in a rural context in both traditional and fresh expressions of church.

- the nature of mission with special reference to the rural situation;
- ways for the Church to engage with rural culture;
examples of rural fresh expressions of church;
- identifying and pruning the things which inhibit mission in the countryside;
- how all forms of church can work together for the glory of God

* Other books in this series are

mission-shaped church

£8.99

mission-shaped children

£5.99

mission-shaped spirituality

£5.99

Mission-shaped Parish, Paul Bayes and Tim Sledge

Mission-shaped Youth, Tim Sudworth

Mission-shaped Questions, Edited by Steven Croft

—–

Rural Children, Rural Church Rona ORME ISBN No: 9780715141267 Availability: Normal delivery 2-5 days Price: £5.99

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

	Description:
	Children make up nearly 20 per cent of the rural population. This short, accessible book offers practical resources and ideas to help churches build an effective children’s ministry in a rural setting. The ideas are drawn from churches and communities in rural areas where children’s work is starting to grow.Rona Orme offers realistic and creative ways of engaging with children in the community by encouraging churches to make the most of opportunities to: share the Church’s year with the community and the community’s year with the Church; reach children and their families at significant rites of passage; enable the Church to be a gathering point and contributing partner in the community. Each chapter contains inspiring case studies and thought-provoking questions for discussion.
	Publication Date: 24/01/2007 Publisher: Church House Publishing Binding: Paperback Pages: 64 pages