{"id":2862,"date":"2026-02-03T18:05:27","date_gmt":"2026-02-03T18:05:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/dlf\/?page_id=2862"},"modified":"2026-08-14T14:27:20","modified_gmt":"2026-08-14T14:27:20","slug":"rural","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/dlf\/rural\/","title":{"rendered":"Rural and Small-Town Initiative"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Empowering congregations to develop Christ-centered leaders for today&#8217;s challenges and tomorrow&#8217;s opportunities.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <strong>Rural and Small-Town Initiative<\/strong> comes alongside congregations to identify their God-given gifts, raise up Christ-centered leaders, and serve their communities with lasting impact. We provide assessments, training, resources, and grants \u2014 meeting each congregation where it is.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/dlf\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/08\/Rural-and-Small-logo.jpg\" alt=\"Church of the Brethren Rural &amp; Small-Town Initiative\" class=\"wp-image-3036\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/dlf\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/08\/Rural-and-Small-logo.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/dlf\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/08\/Rural-and-Small-logo-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\" style=\"margin: 1em;\">Our three areas of focus<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Youth<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">Investing in the next generation of leaders<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Tools that help youth identify their skills, talents, and interests<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pathways to discover and grow in their calling<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Congregation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">Discerning &amp; deploying congregational gifts<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Harrison Assessments to place people in roles where they succeed<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Discern gifts and how they can serve the community<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Community<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">Serving neighbors with lasting impact<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Discern local needs and respond faithfully<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Micro-grants to launch and sustain community projects<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Youth Engagement Resources<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">90-Day Action Plan<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Equipping youth to serve<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/dlf\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/08\/90_Day_Action_Plan.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/dlf\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/08\/90-day-action-plan.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3044\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/dlf\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/08\/90-day-action-plan.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/dlf\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/08\/90-day-action-plan-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/dlf\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/08\/90-day-action-plan-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/dlf\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/08\/90-day-action-plan-560x560.jpg 560w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Youth Strength Snapshot<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Notice how God shaped you to serve in the way of Jesus<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/dlf\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/08\/Youth_Strength_Snapshot.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/dlf\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/08\/Youth_Strength_Snapshot.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3047\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/dlf\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/08\/Youth_Strength_Snapshot.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/dlf\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/08\/Youth_Strength_Snapshot-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/dlf\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/08\/Youth_Strength_Snapshot-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/dlf\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/08\/Youth_Strength_Snapshot-560x560.jpg 560w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Pathways to Serve Map<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>From youth strengths to real roles in congregation and community<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/dlf\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/08\/Pathways_to_Serve_Map.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/dlf\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/08\/Pathways_to_Serve_Map.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3046\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/dlf\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/08\/Pathways_to_Serve_Map.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/dlf\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/08\/Pathways_to_Serve_Map-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/dlf\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/08\/Pathways_to_Serve_Map-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/dlf\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/08\/Pathways_to_Serve_Map-560x560.jpg 560w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Leader Notes<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>After your conversation with a young person, capture next steps and how to walk with them<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/dlf\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/08\/Leader_Notes.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/dlf\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/08\/Leader_Notes.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3045\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/dlf\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/08\/Leader_Notes.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/dlf\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/08\/Leader_Notes-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/dlf\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/08\/Leader_Notes-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/dlf\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/08\/Leader_Notes-560x560.jpg 560w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Sermon Bank<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/dlf\/rural\/sermons\/\">Sermon Bank Resource <\/a>now available! <\/strong>The Rural and Small-Town Initiative has developed a resource for congregations to use in the event of a pastoral absence or vacancy, to aid congregations who want to offer Sabbath Rest for their pastor but do not have funding for pulpit supply when they are away, to use if there is an unexpected illness or other emergency that causes the planned speaker\u2019s absence, and a variety of other reasons. The sermon bank includes sermons by Church of the Brethren pastors from a variety of backgrounds and experiences and uses the Revised Common Lectionary as the basis of its layout. The Rural and Small-Town Initiative hopes that congregations find this tool as a useful and valuable tool that helps support their ministries. This sermon bank will continue to be updated periodically, so please check back for updates.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a class=\"btn btn-lg btn-warning\" href=\"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/dlf\/rural\/sermons\/\">Go to sermon bank<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Basin &amp; Towel Podcast<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Conversations on rural &amp; small-town ministry<\/p>\n\n\n\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/player.rss.com\/basin-and-towel?theme=default&#038;v=2\" title=\"Basin and Towel\" width=\"100%\" height=\"300px\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen scrolling=\"no\"><a href=\"https:\/\/rss.com\/podcasts\/basin-and-towel\/\">Basin and Towel<\/a><\/iframe>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Empowering congregations to develop Christ-centered leaders for today&#8217;s challenges and tomorrow&#8217;s opportunities. The Rural and Small-Town Initiative comes alongside congregations to identify their God-given gifts, raise up Christ-centered leaders, and serve their communities with lasting impact. We provide assessments, training, resources, and grants \u2014 meeting each congregation where it is. Our three areas of focus<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"class_list":["post-2862","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/dlf\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2862","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/dlf\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/dlf\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/dlf\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/dlf\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2862"}],"version-history":[{"count":20,"href":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/dlf\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2862\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3057,"href":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/dlf\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2862\/revisions\/3057"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/dlf\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2862"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/dlf\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2862"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}