There is a higher proportion of male confirmands. There is a higher proportion of pre-teenage and teenage confirmands. The confirmation of younger candidates in the rural church is associated with some positive signs of church growth. By way of contrast emphasis on confirmation under the age of fourteen years in the urban church tends to be associated with signs of church decline. These findings draw attention to the distinctive experience of the rural church and warn against the uncritical generalisation of pastoral recommendations modelled on urban experiences.
Attention is given to different forms of Evangelical identity.
The data affirms the value of investing in youth ministry, the positive contribution of the charismatic movement, and the importance of recognising that the rural church is different. A sample of 291 electoral role members of rural parishes in Wales completed a detailed questionnaire to profile their views on lay ministry. Greater support was given to lay involvement in liturgical and sacramental functions. Younger church members were more positive than older church members to many aspects of lay ministry. The data demonstrate that the charismatic movement has taken root among Anglicans most securely in urban environments and least securely in rural environments.