Around 38% of the area of the Diocese of Ely is rural (villages and hamlets).
The rural church faces opportunities and challenges, some of which are similar to those in other context, but many of which are particular to rural areas. Deprivation and isolation are often hidden, access to transport, infrastructure and services can be challenging, and the changing nature of the countryside and the rural economy can create tensions between established communities and incomers. Church congregations are often quite small, but often represent a much larger proportion of the population than in towns and cities. Multi-church groups are the norm, which results in clergy ministering across several communities, and the need for a high level of local lay involvement in churches.
Rural Mission and Ministry Group
The Rural Mission and Ministry Group meets 2 - 3 times a year. It is chaired by the Archdeacon of Huntingdon and Wisbech. It has been drawn together to resource and support mission and ministry in this changing and varied rural context in the diocese of Ely. A key part of that brief is to tell the stories of the worshipping communities of the villages. We believe that there is both faithfulness and creativity to celebrate, as well as good practice and ideas to share.
Resources
There are a number of excellent sources of ideas and resources for the rural church, and part of the Rural Mission and Ministry Group's brief is to raise awareness of these.
- The Arthur Rank Centre - home of the National Rural Officer for the Church of England
- Rural Ministries
- Open Farm Sunday
- Reports on Rural Mission and Growth from the Church of England
- A network of worshipping communities: a model for a multi-parish team with a vision for a blended economy of church (paper by the Revd Alison Myers, then Team Rector of the Lordsbridge Team, July 2018)
- Not directly rural-related, but with implications for rural churches is Setting God's People Free: a report from the Archbishop's Council (2017, GS 2056)
New Resource from the Arthur Rank Centre: Pilgrimage – A Missional Guide for Rural Churches
Pilgrimage is an ancient Christian practice that offers fresh opportunities for mission, reflection, and community connection in rural contexts. The guide also links with the growing public interest in pilgrimage, inspired by programmes such as the BBC’s Pilgrimage series. You can access this resource via the Arthur Rank Centre website.
Whether you’re looking to engage with your local area, develop a pilgrimage trail over the summer, or reflect on your church’s place in the landscape, the guide includes:
- Practical suggestions for organising local pilgrimage events
- Reflections, prayers, and Bible-based themes
- Real-life examples from rural churches already on the journey
Timed to coincide with the launch of the TryPilgrimage website – a partnership between "hope TOGETHER" and "The Methodist Church" – this guide complements national efforts to encourage people and communities to rediscover pilgrimage as a meaningful expression of faith and community.