Overview

Declining or plateauing rural churches do not have to die! They can live and become an influence for good in their communities. Unfortunately, many rural churches will close after decades of faithful service. Fewer rural people are attending church. Young people are leaving their hometowns, searching for better educational and economic opportunities elsewhere. Rural church leaders find themselves working with aging congregations, dwindling budgets, and a sense of hopelessness that weaves itself into the fabric of church life. Revitalizing a declining or plateauing rural church requires visionary pastoral leadership and the cooperative work of lay leaders. Together these leaders face their challenges head-on transforming their congregations into vibrant centers of impactful ministry. In this book, Davis explores real-life experiences of rural pastors and lay-leaders who have led their congregations to a turnaround. He provides an honest and sometimes painful glimpse into the realities of leading a declining rural church, including his own, back to life. Through these experiences, you will learn to navigate a myriad of cultural and changes needed to revitalize your dying or plateauing rural congregation. The journey to rural church turnaround is hard, but Davis lays out the leadership characteristics and actions essential to making it happen.

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9781633572058

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Reviews

The imagery that came to mind as I read Danny Davis' book was a ship going through a tumultuous storm. In going through such a storm, the keys are to stable the ship, hold on to something secure, and have a courageous leader at the helm. Danny's book sure provides a blueprint for how struggling and declining rural churches can weather the storm of turnaround. While many churches attempt, very few arrive. And it is Danny's book that highlights the stories of those churches who attempted, arrived, and now are thriving.--Dr. Josh Laxton, Assistant Director of the Billy Graham Center North America Lausanne Coordinator I've had the pleasure of knowing Danny for a few years now, and it didn't take long for me to realize he was going to be an incredible asset to rural church pastors. His new book Rural Church Turnaround just proves what I already knew. He is quickly becoming one of the leading voices in the rural church landscape. In this book Danny shares stories of pastors who inherited rural churches on the brink of collapse, and somehow brought them back. Each pastor's story of revival is unique, and yet you'll find yourself relating to each of their struggles and their moments of joy. This is a must read for every rural church pastor.--Travis Stevens, Executive Pastor - Strong Tower Church Small Town Big Church Network Dr. Davis's effort in compiling this resource is an answer to a personal prayer of mine. My life and ministry is a product of the rural church. Out of a sense of obligation and burden to pay it back, I started investing in under-resourced rural pastors almost ten years ago. It was shocking how few resources were available specifically targeting the unique challenges of rural church leadership. I started praying that God would raise up capable men and women to fill that void. This book is an answer to prayer. Dr. Davis doesn't avoid the challenges and realities, but he leaves us hopeful about the future the rural church. With a touch of God's grace and adequate preparation of its leaders, the rural church can rise again--Dr. Bryan Jarrett, Lead Pastor Northplace Church Sachse, Texas Found/Director Lonesome Dove Ranch and Water Tower Leadership Training Billy Graham Center Rural Matters Institute Advisory Council Everyone loves a good comeback story . The rural church in North America is in desperate need of exactly that. With many churches closing their doors each year while others are in a state of decline, the light of the gospel is beginning to fade from small towns across the nation. But the good news is there is hope! Jesus is still in the resurrection business...even when it comes to rural churches. In his book Rural Church Turnaround, Danny Davis shares stories of this hope as he outlines the principles and practices necessary for a rural church comeback story. I believe this book will inspire and encourage many leaders to see with fresh vision God's heart for their rural communities as they believe Him for their own comeback story.--Jon Sanders, Lead Pastor - The Rescue Church Small Town Big Church Network

Author Information

Danny Davis is a rural pastor, Bible college professor, and rural church revitalization coach. He has planted and revitalized churches in South Africa and the USA, Danny holds a Ed.D. in Transformational Leadership (Concordia University). He is married to Sherry and has two adult sons.

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