Local-level rural training: in multiple Anglican dioceses Coventry, Gloucester, Oxford and Worcester jointly arrange an annual day for ordained and lay members of rural multi-parish benefices. One training provider comments: This has been extremely useful, with good uptake. It encourages groups of parishes to send clergy and lay people to attend as groups; there is good input and it provides a chance for the people from each group to talk together and reflect. Inter-diocese working gives the rural constituency a more significant say in the dioceses that are not predominantly rural.
Local-level rural training: Methodist Two Methodists from the North East (one lay training provider, one minister) talk very positively about a District Rural Training Day, and would like further similar days. The minister stresses: There was lots of sharing of ideas and listening to experts; but the best was sharing with others working in a similar context. There are important elements that were not considered, and there is an appetite for more of the same in the future, which more lay people should be encouraged to attend.
c. Common Themes from Local-Level Rural Training
• Ecumenical initiatives are not widespread. Localised rural training is offered quite widely, but is seldom in an ecumenical context or by an ecumenical body.
• By no means all regional or local rural-specific training is solely for ministers. However most is directed towards those in, or preparing for, ordained ministry; and, with only a few exceptions, even where lay people are welcome, few actually participate unless the delivery is at a very local level.
• The various Rural Officers are often at the forefront of these efforts. They may have a role in the actual delivery of training but, more frequently, they organise the programmes and ensure the involvement of suitable local rural facilitators.
• The vast majority of the denominational examples come from the Church of England. It is clear that few of the non-Anglican denominational structures regularly provide specific or recognised rural training or resourcing. There are other, more generic, types of training that are provided locally or regionally, and some of these may be helpful for rural church mission and ministry (see below).
• There are considerable differences of provision of rural-specific training, even within the Church of England, which has by far the largest number of rural churches. There is also wide diversity of provision between the most rural Anglican dioceses.
• Following from this, it is not surprising that a number of ministerial respondents have taken part in training days or courses offered outside of their own church region. This
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