In rural areas, churches often form the backbone of their communities, providing everything from spiritual nourishment and fellowship to charity and entertainment. But many rural churches are struggling these days, from population loss and other changes.
"As much as the churches serve as a cornerstone of their community, however, the world around them is changing. Family farms are less viable, people leave the rural town they grew up in for an urban center and attitudes toward religion have shifted, presenting churches with new challenges as they define themselves and their futures," The Associated Press reports.
Father Chinnappa Pothireddy, who has presided over several Catholic churches in rural Minnesota for the past two years, told AP that "It's not a decrease in faith. People have faith." But at the same time, he acknowledged, his churches were seeing fewer baptisms and more funerals, suggesting an increasingly aging congregation.
Pastor Greg Ferriss, who leads St. John's United Church of Christ in Fountain City, Wisconsin, says his church has stayed at about 200 members for the past decade, but thinks faith is playing a different role in society these days. "A lot of people used to go to church because everyone did," Ferriss said. "Most people sitting in my pews now, generally speaking, have some real faith questions that they want to play with, as opposed to, 'I can get on the PTA if I'm here.'"
"As much as the churches serve as a cornerstone of their community, however, the world around them is changing. Family farms are less viable, people leave the rural town they grew up in for an urban center and attitudes toward religion have shifted, presenting churches with new challenges as they define themselves and their futures," The Associated Press reports.
Father Chinnappa Pothireddy, who has presided over several Catholic churches in rural Minnesota for the past two years, told AP that "It's not a decrease in faith. People have faith." But at the same time, he acknowledged, his churches were seeing fewer baptisms and more funerals, suggesting an increasingly aging congregation.
Pastor Greg Ferriss, who leads St. John's United Church of Christ in Fountain City, Wisconsin, says his church has stayed at about 200 members for the past decade, but thinks faith is playing a different role in society these days. "A lot of people used to go to church because everyone did," Ferriss said. "Most people sitting in my pews now, generally speaking, have some real faith questions that they want to play with, as opposed to, 'I can get on the PTA if I'm here.'"
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