Transforming Church in Rural America #TCiRA
I’m a product of small town America. I grew up in a city of about 5,000, from birth to high school graduation. I also grew up attending a small church in that very town…until I realized, in all the wisdom that a 14 year old has, that church was no longer for me. I wonder if that same story is played out over and over every year in thousands of small churches in small towns all across this country.
Shannon Odell is trying to change that with his book “Transforming Church in Rural America” and you can be part of the process of bringing transformation to the rurals.
You’ll read how Shannon left a thriving ministry in a church of 4,000 in Oklahoma City to move to lead a church in a town of 88 people. You’ll read many of the principles he used to transition this Church of 31 people into a multi-site church of thousands all in rural towns.
The book reveals:
- How to generate growth through transformed lives
- ways to create active evangelism in your community
- no-cost solutions for staffing challenges, enhancing the worship experience, and inspiring volunteers
Focusing on vision, attitude, leadership, and innovation, you’ll discover effective structure and ways to cast God-given vision so others can follow and make an impact. Experience the blueprint for transforming into effective, dynamic, and thriving churches – no matter where the location or how small it may be.
As someone on staff at Bay Area Fellowship and reaching into smaller towns, I can say that Shannon’s insights are highly valuable for any church that wants to make more of a difference where they are.
As part of my review I’m going to be giving away several FREE copies of Transforming Church In Rural America. In fact, one out of every ten comments will win a copy. Read carefully…because here is how you get your FREE copy, it’s simple: To get a chance at snagging a FREE copy, take the following three actions:
- Leave a comment below. State that you would like a copy of this book in your own words of course and even share why you would like one. I love reading your comments.
- Fill out the special form. Click this link (NOW CLOSED) and fill in your information, so New Leaf Publishing Group will know where to send your FREE copy in the mail.
- Twitter or Facebook a link to this post. You can do so to twitter automatically by clicking >> here <<. If you don’t have a Twitter account, you can use Facebook, LinkedIn or even Myspace. (If you don’t have any of those, don’t feel excluded…just leave a comment and let us know you don’t use any social media sites and we’ll make sure you’re still entered) You can copy the following into your status updates on any site :: Get a FREE Copy of @shannonodell’s new book, Transforming Church In Rural America from @JasonCurlee at http://bit.ly/TCiRAb #TCiRA
Since this is my first book give-away, could you help me make it a good one by spreading the word on twitter/facebook…just copy the above and help me spread the word.
Oh and if you missed the give-away you can still get Shannon’s book on AMAZON and check out some other resources for the book at NLPG.com/bnc
UPDATE: The giveaway is officially closed and winners who will be be receiving a signed copy from Shannon are – Kirby Vardeman & Brian Trent.
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I would love to win a free copy of this book because, as a campus pastor’s wife of a newly established multi site, we are looking for innovative ways to grow our campus and reach our community for Christ.
Hey Jason,
I would love a copy of this book. I am currently pastor of a Vineyard church in rural Nebraska (Curtis – pop. 800). Being a Vineyard in a rural context is already unique, but we are considering starting at least one additional site in a community 40 miles away. We have some folks coming from the community to church now and it just makes sense to do something there. It would be interesting for me to read Shannon’s stuff. I have read a few of the multi-site books and they tend to lean towards churches with a ton of resources and a ton of people who can make something immediately successful just by doing it well and with some built in momentum. Our situation would not be like that. We would start small and it might grow to like 50 or 60.
There you go. Thanks for the blog and for this post. It will be interesting to see how this transpires.
Jason Smith
Hey, Jason!
I would love a copy of this book! I have played in so many rural churches over the years, and I have seen firsthand the stagnation that often occurs. I would love to hear how Shannon has transformed the rural churches so that I might be able to apply any wisdom he may have!
I am very interested in your book! The Lord has been leading my family and I to plant a church in a rural area and I really feel as if though this book may be just what I need!
I’d like a copy. I serve in a community of 7500. I’d also like a free copy because I am leading a breakout session on small town ministry in a month and am curious to find out what this book says prior to that session.
I almost dismissed this book because of the title (I don’t live in a rural area), but I’m more interested after seeing your thoughts and that the book provides principles that will apply to a variety or church and leadership situations.
I would really appreciate a copy of this book. As a man called to plant a church in a rural setting, I’m looking for all the information/ideas I can get.
Thanks to everyone who has left a comment today…love reading why you are wanting the book
i live in the valley need say more help con somebody!
Hi Jason,
I would appreciate a copy of this book! We are in rural ND endeavoring to plant churches when ever other denomination is pulling out! Rural America needs strong viverant worship and teaching just as the metro’s of our world. Reaching Hearts, in the Heartland of America!
Hey Jason,
I would love to have a copy of this book! I have just recently started pastoring a church in a town of around 2,500 people. God has given several of us an incredible vision for the church, but any help would be greatly appreciated. We are looking for creative ways to evangelize to our community. It is very encouraging to see that God is already transforming lives.
I would LOVE a copy of the book!!! how do I get it!
Make sure you click on the link in #2 and fill out the special form. Click the link and fill in your information, so New Leaf Publishing Group will know where to send your FREE copy in the mail.
GIVEAWAY UPDATE: The giveaway is officially closed and congratulation to winners Kirby Vardeman & Brian Trent who will be be receiving a signed copy from Shannon.
I would like a free copy of this book. I attend a small church in a rural area of california and attendance has trickled down to a small number. I would like to help find new ways to reach people in our rural community and help our church grow. Please need God – we just are now sure how to reach them, the homes are far and it’s hard to outreach here.