All ages are included in worship leadership and participation. Although challenging and full of compromise, true intergenerational worship is rich. Elders naturally become mentors or faith guarantors in small communities where it is impossible to separate their daily lives from Sunday worship. Church membership is an important dimension of rural identity. It is something of which to be proud.
Ecumenism is valued.
Often, denominations in small towns co-sponsor special events. Doctrinal differences are set aside for common beliefs and shared dreams. What the greater Church can do to support rural youth ministry Avoid idealizing programmatic solutions and imposing them on congregations of diverse cultures and sizes. Keep rural congregations and their younger members in the information loop. Affirm what is healthy in small congregations.