Why is the Local Church so Important: listening to local people. (2nd January 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Barlow, Robert
• Is Part Of: Rural theology. Volume 17:Number 1(2019)
• Page Start: 13
• Page End: 17
• Publication Date: 2019-01-02
• Subjects: Rural churchgoers -- ethnography -- ordinary theology -- travelling congregations; Christian life -- England -- Periodicals; Pastoral theology -- England -- Periodicals; Country life -- Religious aspects -- Church of England -- Periodicals; 253.0942
• DOI: 10.1080/14704994.2019.1585114
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1470-4994

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The article 'Travelling congregations or fixed provision? Assessing models of rural ministry' demonstrated that rural churchgoers are more likely to attend worship if there is a service in their own church. This article considers reasons why that may be the case. It does so by means of an ethnographical study observing the stories of three rural churchgoers. Their behaviour appears theologically inarticulate but when considered against the third paragraph of the Apostle's creed shows significant faith. Rural churches are encouraged to take seriously churchgoers' inarticulate faith.