Transforming Church in Rural America: Book Review

I have been reading Shannon O’Dell’s book, “Transforming Church in Rural America”. It is a very enlightening and heart-warming read from start to finish. Shannon takes you on a journey from his early years as a youth pastor of a large church under “an awesome pastor”, through the gut-wrenching process of being called to rural America. His transparency, I think, is best displayed as he talks about his call to the ministry on page 166. This quote gives the best glimpse into Shannon’s heart:

“When you are ready to take anything and everything necessary to get into people’s lives, when you have to watch them blossom, when you thrive on life change in others, then you probably have the call to ministry.”

The process gave Shannon and his wife Cindy an incredible treasure box full of insights and Godly education. Thankfully, they didn’t choose to hoard the treasure. Instead, they decided to share the learning in an engaging format.

As you read the book you will swing from one deeply-profound truth to another; from one great set of bullet points to another.  For example, Shannon shares his first “Stop Doing List” on page 76 which includes:

* Stop focusing only on what needs to be tweaked and not celebrating the peaks

* Stop being opposed through pride and start receiving grace through humility

* Stop thinking people who are not with me are against me

* Stop believing I have to do it all

The book is a peek into the unique churches of rural America and the wonderfully complex people who fill the pews and the people who haven’t yet set foot in church. Shannon addresses issues like the church’s family dynasty, the “this-has-been-grandma’s-pew-forever” mentality, sacred cows grazing in the church, lessons from a manure pile, changing rural church bylaws, and so on. There’s even a satellite on top of a Hummer (but I’ll leave that for you to read yourself when you get the book).

But the single greatest thing you will come away with after reading this book is the profound sense of hope and possibility in the God who created the rural church. Jesus is, “the rock-solid structure” as Shannon says, that we are to stand under as we “go about His mission.”

If you are a pastor or a church leader in rural America (and even if you're from the big city), this book is definitely for you.

Want to start reading while you’re waiting on your copy to arrive? Here’s a link to read a free, three-chapter sample: http://www.NLPG.com/bnc. 

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are "affiliate links." This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I believe look helpful and will add value to my readers, whether I have personally read them or not. As with all suggested materials, be diligent to assess for yourself whether or not something is right for you.

Comments

[jasonS]

I've heard about this book from several different people. May be time to officially add it to the official list. Thanks Scott. Great review.

[Scott Couchenour]

I would definitely add it to the read list. There's too much helpful information in there.

[herbhalstead]

I've been pointed towards it too - We are not a rural town really, but we are pretty small.

[Scott Couchenour]

I still think a lot of it may apply. Small towns have similar situations as rural (in my opinion).

Also, you guys might be interested in what The Sticks Conference is all about. Here's the web link: http://www.TheSticks.tv

[bill (cycleguy)]

Scott: I had the opp to hear Shannon at the first Sticks conference in Loudonville,OH. I was impressed then with what he shared with us. I read this book several months back and like you was blown away by its practicality and thoughts. I highly recommend it to pastors in small towns. In fact, the nuggets that Shannon shares are good for pastors of any size town and any size church. Glad you liked it.

[Scott Couchenour]

Yeah, Bill. I'd recommend it to pastors as well. If I were starting a church, this would be one of the most valuable resources I'd keep open.

I wish I had known about the Sticks when the first conference took place. Loudonville is less than 90 minutes from where I live.