Transforming Church in Rural America by Shannon O’Dell is a great discussion starter, but don’t expect a blueprint for growing a church in a rural setting. To be fair, offering a blueprint is not O’Dell’s intention, but rather, he offers us his vision of a thriving church in rural America and provides some fundamental insights into the strengths as well as the challenges one encounters when seeking to minister in rural churches. In 2003, O’Dell took over as pastor of Southside Baptist Church in a rural Arkansas town with a population of less than 100. Over the next several years, with organizational restructuring, a name change, an intentional focus on “branding”, and most importantly, a belief that following a God given vision will lead to growth, “Brand New Church” has emerged as a 2,000 member-strong anomaly in rural America, with a technological-savy outreach program that reaches another 1,500 registered participants.
So what does it take to see this kind of church growth in rural America? According to O’Dell, the pattern to expect is, “change / conflict / growth.” Change means following a God given vision wherever it may lead and being ready to break the “rurals” when necessary. Of course change brings with it conflict and O’Dell has weathered his share. He offers us strategies to deal with this conflict that will ultimately lead to growth.
I wonder though if O’Dell doesn’t focus too much on numerical growth and less on growth as discipleship. This is only a personal concern and not something that is blatantly obvious in the book. However, numbers seem to be the overriding success-measurement criteria for O’Dell. That being said, O’Dell has obviously found a formula that has worked where he is and should not be dismissed out of hand as a passing fad. The word of God is being preached and lives are being impacted, so O’Dell’s story is worth hearing.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is seeking new ways to impact their community and are tired of the same old techniques that just don’t seem to be working anymore. Read this book with an understanding that not all of what O’Dell has experienced will apply to your situation. So use what works for you and allow God to do a “new thing” in your community.
Note: I received this book free from the publisher as part of their blogger review program. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are my own.