By Jennifer Johnson
“Small towns are getting smaller,” says Jim Hardy. “And the churches in these areas are getting smaller, as well.”
Hardy founded the Center for Rural Church Advancement at Nebraska Christian College to encourage and equip the leaders of rural churches in Nebraska and beyond. The new initiative includes a series of two-day events in conjunction with The Barjona Company; Chad Hunt founded the company after growing Caveland Church from 150 to 750 people in the small town of Cave City, KY. A four-session series of these “strategic roundtables” is spread over two years, and groups are kept small to encourage relationship building. The vision is for each participating church to double in impact and size within five years.
Hardy also encourages NCC students to consider rural church ministry after graduation.
“We have scholarship money available for students who will commit to serving at a rural church for five years,” he says. “We want to be intentional about getting some “˜new blood” in these communities.”
Hardy, who grew up in a small church in Skidmore, MO, and led a rural church himself for seven years, says he sees a lot of discouragement among these pastors””and a lot of reason for hope.
“I”ve discovered these guys are really interested in growing and developing as leaders,” he says. “They just need a program customized for them and people who understand their unique challenges.”
Learn more about the Center for Rural Church Advancement at www.nechristian.edu/#/home/crca.
Author: Christian Standard
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