Rural and Small Town Mission

Many congregations across the heartland of America are concerned about shrinking membership and congregational survival. Often, it seems that programs and resources that address these issues are geared toward suburban church settings. LCMS Rural and Small Town Mission (RSTM) recognizes that while the work to which God has called congregations is the same, the context in which that work is carried out can be very different—even in rural America.

While there is no "one” program or resource that will provide guaranteed results, RSTM provides training and resources aimed at helping rural and small town congregations assess community needs and search for opportunities to engage their communities through acts of witness and mercy.

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN...
for the LCMS National Rural and Small Town Mission Conference

November 1-3, 2012 | King’s Pointe Resort | Storm Lake, IA

The LCMS National Rural and Small Town Mission Conference will address the blessings and challenges facing rural and small town congregations today as well as encourage those congregations and their leaders in cultivating healthy churches that are eager to bear witness to Christ to those around them, show mercy to the suffering in their communities and to encourage a robust life together with their fellow members.

Ministry Focus

Rural and Small Town Mission supports congregations in rural and small town settings in the work to which God has called them. Specifically RSTM focuses on assisting:

Sole Rural Parishes
Large Rural Parishes
Dual and Multi-point Rural Parishes

RSTM works in partnership with districts to encourage and support congregations in rural and small town settings to engage their communities. This is done through conferences, leadership training events and web-based resources.

Learn More

To learn more about Rural and Small Town Mission events or resources to assist in community engagement, contact Amy Gerdts at amy.gerdts@lcms.org or call 1-888-463-5127.

Leadership Resources

Rural and Small Town Mission seeks to provide resources and training for dual and multi-point parishes, small sole parishes, and large rural congregations.

Learn More

News

Reaching Rural America for Christ- the quarterly newsletter published by LCMS Rural and Small Town Mission

May 2012 ^NEW

Quarterly Newsletter Archive

eNews

Reaching Rural America for Christ- the monthly email newsletter published by LCMS Rural and Small Town Mission

April 2012 ^NEW

eNews Archive

Other News Sources

Rural and Small Town Mission submits articles a variety of LCMS district publications on a monthly basis. Check here to read the these publications.

Read Articles

Webinars

Rural and Small Town Mission webinars are focused on the needs of rural and small town congregations across the Synod. They will help congregations to consider new ideas for congregational life and efforts to engage the community. RSTM webinars are practical and relevant for ministry today, and are designed to provide support and encouragement to pastors and congregational leaders.

What is a webinar? It is essentially a video conference that allows internet participants to see video of the presenter as well as the presenter’s documents.

Why a webinar? It is a matter of good stewardship. Rather than presenters or participants traveling great distances at great expense, webinars allow training and the sharing of resources at minimal cost. It also allows participants to draw on the ministry expertise of others.

We hope that these webinars will bless you in your work. If you have a webinar idea or questions about any of our resources, contact Amy Gerdts at amy.gerdts@lcms.org or 1-888-463-5127.

Upcoming webinars:

Ministry to Inactives Webinar

May 24, 2012 | 1-2 pm | Presented by Rev. Dr. Lee Hagan, Interim Director of RSTM

View Details

Understanding Rural Culture Webinar

June 21, 2012

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Hispanic Outreach in Rural and Small Town Settings Webinar

July 26, 2012

View Details

View Archived Webinars

Events

Rural and Small Town Mission supports pastors, professional and lay leaders from rural and small town settings by providing on-going leadership training and connecting them with available resources for a number of ministry areas. Our leadership training and conferences will assist congregational leaders in community engagement and leading change as congregations become aware of changing community demographics.

Understanding Rural Culture Webinar

June 21, 2012

View Details

Engaging Rural Communities

July 14, 2012 | Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church | Onalaska, Wisc.

View Details

Hispanic Outreach in Rural and Small Town Settings Webinar

July 26, 2012

View Details

View all RSTM events

Media

Photos

Check out photos of rural and small town churches in ministry.

View Album

Support RSTM

To allow Rural and Small Town Mission to continue to support the RST congregations of the LCMS, $230,000 is needed per year. These costs include salary and benefits, travel expenses, administrative assistance, volunteer training and leadership resource development.

Get Involved!

Give your gift to enable rural and small town congregations to be supported in the work God has called them to in their communities. (Luke 19:10)
Participate in RSTM training, events and national conferences yourself.
Connect with other rural and small town congregations through newsletters, training, webinars and conferences.
Pray for RSTM and for our LCMS rural and small town congregations that they daily engage their communities through acts of witness and mercy.

Thank you for your support!

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