Published on: 13/11/2026
A special event which is aiming to help shape a rural network for the Diocese of Sheffield is being held in December. Taking place on Saturday 5 December at St John’s Wadworth from 10am-1pm, it’s hoped the Rural Church Matters event can help people to come together and think about how we can better support one another and the rural world we work in.
The morning will include:
- an address by Howard Petch CBE, a Yorkshireman and well-known agricultural educator who works with rural and farming charities, including The Farming Community Network, the Arthur Rank Centre and Yorkshire Churches Rural Business Support
- time for each parish represented to tell us about itself
- discussion about how our churches matter to our communities, and what you would like a rural church network to help with
- resources for rural churches and time to network
- light refreshments during the morning
Revd Philip Ball, Vicar of Airmyn, Hook and Rawcliffe, will be licensed as the Bishop’s Rural Advisor by Bishop Pete during the event. We caught up with him and asked about the Rural Church Matters event:
How did the idea for this event first come about?
In many ways this is the Bishop’s initiative as it was he who asked me to be his Rural Advisor, and set the wheels in motion for this event and whatever further results from it.
What are you hoping to achieve from it?
I was born and brought up in rural Africa, have worked in the rural church in Northumbria and I have been the vicar of three rural / semi-rural parishes in the Diocese of Sheffield for 15 years. Consequently, I have a little knowledge of rural issues and the needs of the rural church, but I certainly need to know more about the wider picture across the Diocese in order to advise the Bishop better. Furthermore, I believe that we are stronger, if we can work together and support one another, in any way which is possible. I’d therefore like to see two things: some sort of arrangement / group of people who can inform me, so I can be better informed to be an advocate for the rural communities and churches, and I’d like to develop some form of network / networks within the Diocese and more widely which help the rural churches and help them serve their communities better.
What challenges do rural churches face?
Rural churches and rural communities are low in numbers who attend or live in them. This means they are often seen as of low value and have less political clout than the areas and churches which have many more people in them. Also, it makes it difficult to grow into a large church for all ages of people. Indeed, in some quarters there are some perceptions that these churches with low attendance figures are ‘failing’, or a ‘burden’, and there are a good number of voices who think many rural churches just need shutting – and would want to make that decision over the heads of those who these churches are a vital resource to.
Similarly, decisions about how the countryside is run are often made by those who neither live in it or understand it fully, and some of those decisions are making it very difficult for those who we rely on to provide us essential food and services.
How can others raise awareness of the work of rural churches?
It is true that most rural churches are struggling and have predominantly ageing congregations, but it is not true they are failing. Many are doing amazing things and are highly valued by their local community, and those from further afield who visit when they’re out and about in the beauty of our rural world. If you can get to know a truer picture, then you will be in a position to raise awareness of the work of rural churches.
So I would say: Get to know them, the amazing things they’re doing, the service they offer and find out about the struggles they have.
Similarly, those who work in rural industries such as farming, tourism and so on are often regarded as rich people who have it all, when the reality is very different; there are a few very rich people who choose to have countryside residences, but many who live and work in the countryside are doing so from a struggling and currently very precarious position. It is a very challenging time; Brexit, a change of government policies, climate change and work to help nature recover have all had impacts at the same time. Previous ways of being, working and ensuring a sustainable income must be changed without any certainty of the results. In addition, all of us depend totally on food security and there are significant issues regarding these which if we know more about we can advocate better for the right solutions.
So I would say; get to know about the countryside and the real issues people in it face. For example, I had the pleasure of coming out of my house today and seeing 200 Geese in the next field. A farmer friend of mine said, ‘that will be costly to that crop’. If, like me, you want nature to recover and there to be huge flocks of birds, myriads of butterflies and so on, we need to find a way to financially support those whose livelihood comes from nature, which will enable them to ensure that our rural world provides the food security, biodiversity and so on that we all need.
Soundbite politics and media don’t inform people nearly effectively as deep, open relationships do, so let’s redouble our efforts to build an informed community of love.
How can others support the rural church and rural communities?
Pray for them, support them and join with them in partnership, as what these churches can offer to the wider church is as valuable as what the wider church can share with them. Our churches want to be here, open and available to their communities and those who visit the countryside now and for future generations, not become closed symbols of a Diocese / Church of England that once cared for our rural world.
Why should people come along to this event?
It will be an excellent morning: –
Howard Petch is a brilliant speaker, who is well informed on rural issues and will be inspirational and knowledge giving.
Bishop Pete will, as always, be excellent to hear from.
There will be opportunity to hear from others in the rural church and communities and there will be work done on how we can support one another and the wider church and be supported by each other better. Your ideas and thoughts on this will be important.
It will be an opportunity for me to get to know you and what is important to you about the countryside, and for you to get to know others who are similarly passionate.
I hope it will build on all the good which is going on and has gone on in the rural church and communities, so be a step toward a bigger work of God which will help the rural church grow and thrive as part of this Diocese and all that we do to make God known.
There will be information and resources about rural church and communities.
Find out more about the event here: Rural Church Matters – The Diocese of Sheffield
