Enabling and empowering the rural church
The Diocese of Oxford has a long history of developing creative thinking regarding the rural church and mission and ministry in rural contexts. To quote the title of E F Schumacher’s book, 'small is beautiful', and a low-key, patient and prayerful approach often reminds us that God works on the small scale for much of the time.
A Year Like No Other
Harvest is a time when we give thanks for the food we receive, for the land and for all those whose work brings food to our tables. But this year, that thanksgiving comes alongside an acknowledgement that it has been a difficult and uncertain time for many in farming and rural communities.
For some farmers, the pressures of the past year have brought particular anxiety about livelihoods, finances and the future. Harvest gives our churches an opportunity not only to celebrate and give thanks, but also to make space for those concerns, to pray for those who are struggling, and to recognise our dependence on one another.
The Arthur Rank Centre’s Harvest Resource 2026 offers prayers, reflections and ideas to help churches mark Harvest in ways that connect faith with the realities of rural life. We have included below a prayer from the resource for use in churches and communities as we hold those facing difficult circumstances in our prayers.
How Village Churches Thrive
A practical guide
Last year we hosted a series of events based on How Village Churches Thrive, an inspiring, practical guide from Bishop Robert Atwell and others.
Find out more on the dedicated webpage - you can rewatch the inaugural rural lecture, read some prompts for your own book group and get inspired to thrive.
In the news
Hear about the issues on the hearts of our rural churches.
Mysterious as a seed
In the parable of the seed growing in Mark 4.26-29, after the seed is sown into the ground, the seed sprouts and grows with no further action by the sower. It is the earth that produces the fruit.
It is God alone who controls the mysterious process of growth and His Kingdom, and all that it stands for, emerges due to His power, which can be as quiet and invisible as a seed coming to fruition. Similarly, much of the mission and ministry in rural multi-parish benefices is quiet, gentle, and largely unseen, but ultimately flourishing, and bearing fruit for the Kingdom.
All the advisers in the Mission and Ministry Department are committed to serving the rural church. If you would like to develop your thinking and gain from others' experience and expertise, the best people to make initial contact with are the Parish Development Advisers:
- Rhodri Bowen (Berkshire)
- Anne Perry (Dorchester and rural church lead)
- The Revd Asa Humphreys (Buckingham)
Every year the Continuing Ministerial Development team aims to offer events specific to those who serve in the countryside. Do keep an eye on the CMD pages.
Useful resources
Three short documents to support ministry and mission in your rural setting:
- Moving into a Rural Multi-Parish Benefice
- Administration in a Rural Multi-Parish Benefices
- Volunteering in a rural context: recruiting and retaining
Care for Creation:
Investigate our Environment Action webpages for resources relevant to rural churches on caring for our environment, reducing the energy used by our buildings and connecting with others doing the same.
The national body which seeks to serve the rural church is the Arthur Rank Centre, which has many useful resources.
In addition, the Rural Mission page on the Church of England website provides information about how the national church seeks to support the rural church.