The August 2017 issue of Reaching Rural America for Christ highlights how using demographic data can help a congregation better understand its rural or small-town community.
This information provides a numeric backdrop of a community’s past, present and future, which a congregation can use to help plan service and outreach opportunities. Equipped with this information, congregations can better understand, serve and reach out to their community.
The newsletter also offers information about ongoing events and free monthly webinars.
Read August 2017 RSTM newsletter
Visit lcms.org/rstm to learn more about this ministry and the resources it provides. Also, mark your calendars and pray for the following upcoming events offered through RSTM:
- “Mission Insight: Getting the Most Out of Your Demographics” free webinar presented by Kurt Fuhr, vice-president of Lutheran Church Extension Fund — Thursday, Aug. 3, from 1 to 2 p.m. Central time. Visit lcms.org/rstm if you are interested in participating.
- “Disaster Relief Training” free webinar presented by Rev. Dr. Ross Johnson, director, LCMS Disaster Response — Thursday, Sept. 21, from 1 to 2 p.m. Central time. Visit lcms.org/rstm if you are interested in participating.
- 2017 National Rural & Small Town Mission Conference in Kansas City, Mo., at the Hilton Kansas City Airport – Thursday, Nov. 9, through Saturday, Nov. 11. Keynote speakers include the Rev. Todd Kollbaum, director, LCMS Rural & Small Town Mission; the Rev. Heath Trampe, senior pastor, Faith Lutheran Church, York, Neb.; Benjamin Winchester, senior research fellow, University of Minnesota Extension; and the Rev. Benjamin Meyer, pastor, Hope Lutheran Church, Sunbury, Ohio. More information and online registration can be found at lcms.org/rstm/conference.