Rural Officers Effective mission
Faith in the Countryside contained the recommendation:
Each diocese with a significant rural area should appoint an officer with responsibility both to represent the rural interest within the church … and the church to the wider rural constituency.
Most dioceses and sister churches implemented that recommendation and the development of a national network of Rural Officers (ROs) took place. Some were more focused on the agricultural industry and were designated Agricultural Chaplains, but both ROs and Chaplains have played a significant role in the development of the church’s understanding of rural issues, and in its response.
In 2007, at the request of the ecumenical network of Rural Officers, research was done on The Roles, Responsibilities and Resources of Rural Officers by the Revd Jonathan Still of Guildford Diocese. The work revealed that social and community issues were of paramount importance, with affordable housing being top of the list; followed
by work with churches, as adviser, trainer, resource and contact person. It also confirmed that there remains an important and strong commitment to the farming community and agricultural issues. The key impression left by the research was of a richly diverse and varied network scattered across a diverse and varied countryside.
There is a strong need for continuity in the commitment to the RO post by a sponsoring church body. This is a long term mission requiring consistency, good oversight and monitoring. The danger in 2010 is that posts could be cut in times of financial stringency, if not seen as part of the core purpose of the sponsoring body. Within a network of around 90 ROs, three posts are full time. Most are part time combined with pastoral or other responsibilities, some only for a few hours per week or month. Several ROs are lay people and some ROs are unpaid. Some ROs work at a strategic and regional level, with effective contacts
with the former regional development agencies, local government and wider voluntary and community
organisations. Other RO posts have to be focused more on local concerns and issues. In areas where there is good ecumenical and regional working the network is able to play to the strengths of its members.
The research concluded that, as a whole, the network was able to achieve an astonishing amount by working both locally and regionally and using the skills within it effectively. The problems identified included a poor level of accountability, communication, support and appreciation of what is achieved. Few had adequate job descriptions and some felt quite exposed in times of financial stringency.
Crucial to the network’s effectiveness is the work of the Arthur Rank Centre and the support of the National Rural Officers. The value of the Arthur Rank Centre was found not just in being a source of information and expertise but as a clearing house or exchange for the talents of the ROs themselves.
Together Rural Officers offer a wonderful gift to the churches and form an extraordinary resource in the service of God’s mission.
Nick Read
Chaplain for Agriculture and Rural Life, Diocese of Hereford
Graham Jones
National Rural Officer for the Methodist Church and United Reformed Church
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