Sustaining Heart in the Heartland: Exploring Rural Spirituality

Sustaining Heart in the Heartland is a unique exploration of rural spirituality that describes how faith is lived out in the sparsely populated rural areas of the US, what it is to be people of faith and commitment in the face of daunting challenges facing the rural way of life today. Writing with authentic grass roots knowledge and experience, the authors demonstrate that the notion of rural spirituality takes on many different forms. In part one they describe characteristics and themes of rural spirituality as well as its hopes and struggles. Part two describes the roles, dynamics, spirit, and challenges of ten groups in the quilt of relationships that make up rural life, e.g., the land, families, family farming, local organizations. Part three provides three looks at the expanding identities of local congregations and includes a pastoral suggestions review. Written with a passion for rural life and a deep appreciation for rural spirituality, this book invites residents of the heartland, as well as those in ministry, clergy, and lay leaders, to work together to nurture the spiritual vigor of the rural community. It celebrates the reality of rural life's special land-God connection and the commitment to stewardship that keeps it alive.