Learning from the Rural Congregation

By Rev. Cameron Trimble, CEO of Convergence

If there’s one area in ministry often misunderstood by denominational leaders and clergy, it’s the rural congregation. Many people think rural congregations are isolated, uniform, or disconnected from modern life. There’s a tendency to view these communities through regional or political lenses, assuming they are home to uneducated, culturally disconnected “country folk.” Most rural congregations are indeed small, and they are frequently assumed to be fragile. The conventional wisdom often suggests that as younger people move to urban areas, these churches will be the first to fade away.

I once held these views as well. Coming from an urban background, I would visit rural churches and make assumptions about their culture and systems that were, frankly, misguided. It wasn’t until I moved to a rural town and immersed myself in rural congregations that I began to see how wrong my assumptions had been. These communities weren’t just surviving—they were thriving, dynamic hubs of creativity, diversity, and spiritual depth. Over time, I no longer saw myself as an outsider, but as part of these congregations. Here’s what I’ve learned along the way.

We’re Not All Farmers, But We Are Connected to the Land

It’s easy to stereotype rural communities as being dominated by agriculture, but fewer people in these areas are working on farms than you might expect. Many rural residents are employed in industries like healthcare, education, or manufacturing. Yet, one thing that unites rural people is a strong connection to the land. Conversations about weather are not idle small talk—they reflect the reality that we live closely with nature. 

Many of us, even the most conservative among us, worry about what we are doing to the environment. We don’t use fertilizers or pesticides. Many of us grow the food we feed our animals to avoid harmful additives. We want our water sources to be clean and abundant. We seek out elders who can teach us more about living in partnership with Creation. 

Because of this, many of us are passionate environmentalists who are also deepening our theological framework of Creation Spirituality. When we read about the Good Shepherd, we think of Justin, and how he cares for his animals. When we consider the lilies of the field, we speak about Mrs. Sue who gave us lilies from her front lawn. We live and breathe a partnership mentality with Creation, one that might be useful to the evolving theological conversation happening across the nations. 

Beyond Pastoral Care: Leading with Purpose

It’s true that rural congregations tend to have an older demographic, but this doesn’t mean they are looking for a pastor simply to care for them. Many older members are still vibrant, active, and deeply invested in their communities. They want to make a difference and live with purpose.

What I’ve found is that rural congregations aren’t as frenetic as their urban counterparts. They have a balance between “being” and “doing.” There is a strong sense of community, where visiting with neighbors and listening to stories are valued. This doesn’t mean they aren’t engaged in service—they are often critical to addressing poverty and other challenges in their areas. But they approach it with a gentle, compassionate spirit that fosters deep relationships and a sense of shared responsibility.

Respecting the Power of Relationships

Just as chickens have pecking orders, I have learned that congregations in rural contexts have multi-generational power structures. Urban congregations do as well, but usually, they are more obtuse. In the rural context, you can spot the family dynasties and the matriarchs/patriarchs who hold sway on your first visit. Often, as a new visitor, they will be the first to greet you. 

In seminary, I was taught to be scared of them, or at least to have a healthy respect. They can bite! I’m sure that is true, but I haven’t found a congregation yet, regardless of context, that doesn’t have leaders who bite! 

What is more accurate about these families is that they are deeply invested and have held this congregation together through decades of change. They care. They have long memories of times long before you stepped through the door. When you meet resistance, it’s not always because they don’t want to change or be challenged. Sometimes – often, in fact – it’s that they need you to understand their history before they trust you to change their future. 

The older I get, the more I respect that balance. Our culture today reacts with such short-term anxiety. I often wonder if we don’t actually create more trauma in the present because we aren’t curious about the past. With the gifts of past lessons guiding our steps, we can architect a more dynamic future. Rural congregations often get that.

Rethinking Success

Denominational metrics like attendance and financial giving often don’t capture the full picture of a rural congregation’s vitality. Growth, in the traditional sense, is not necessarily the goal for these churches. While some still hope for the return of young families, many rural congregations are more concerned with fostering meaningful relationships and contributing to their communities.

These churches might measure success through the lens of care, community engagement, and spiritual deepening. Instead of focusing solely on numbers, rural congregations could assess their impact by looking at how they foster belonging, how many people are involved in service, or how their members grow spiritually. Traditional metrics only tell part of the story, and for many rural congregations, the real measure of success is relational, not numerical.

As we look to the future of the church, rural congregations offer important lessons about sustainability, relationships, and the power of community. Far from being on the verge of extinction, many rural churches are vibrant centers of life and faith. I have more to share on this topic, which I’ll explore further in a future piece. For now, I’m grateful to those of you serving in these congregations. If the Convergence Team can support your church, regardless of size or location, we hope you’ll reach out.