'Six Thousand Country Churches' by Charles Otis Gill and Gifford Pinchot is a groundbreaking exploration of the state of rural churches in Ohio, revealing an oversupply of small, weak churches with low attendance and a high turnover rate of ministers. Through extensive research, the authors provide a comprehensive analysis of the challenges faced by these churches, including a lack of educational resources and an absentee ministry. However, they also offer a compelling program to improve the efficiency of these churches, including a better ministry, community churches, and agricultural cooperation. The book also includes detailed tabular summaries and maps, providing a comprehensive picture of the state of Ohio's rural churches. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the future of rural churches and the role they play in their communities.

Hal Barron reconstructs the social and economic history of a nineteenth-century rural community in America, Chelsea, Vermont. He explores the economic hardships and population loss that most of America at this time experienced growth and geographical expansion. This book provides an innovative contribution to the history of rural America.

Winner of Christianity Today's Award of Merit for The Church/Pastoral Leadership 2018 Whether it’s because of the 2016 Presidential election or books like “Hillbilly Elegy,” Americans are beginning to understand the tremendous influence people in rural areas have in our nation. But rural America—not urban America—is also the new center of poverty. Thus, the rural church stands at the crossroads of strength and struggle. It carries the gospel, the very hope and power needed. Yet its ministry efforts are hamstrung because urban and suburban churches often don’t realize their need for rural churches, and the rural church itself rarely understands its unique assets and values. The Forgotten Church addresses these problems and: provides an overview of rural ministry explores opportunities recent trends provide showcases the remarkable benefits of suburban, urban, and rural churches working together This book is essential for any pastor—whether from the city or the sticks—because we are one body and we need each other.