Approximately 48.2% of ELCA congregations are self-described as "rural." That translates to 5,036 congregations out of 10,441. In order to better serve this large and diverse constituency, the ELCA is developing the ELCA Small Town and Rural Ministry Alliance.

Membership
Members of the Alliance will include individuals, congregations, agencies, colleges, seminaries, resource centers, camps, continuing education sites, etc. Annual membership fees will financially support the Alliance, and Alliance members will sustain one another and their communities through prayer, action, and education. Membership Application PDF, 66KB

Affinity Groups
ELCA Small Town and Rural Ministry Alliance will make sharing information and resources about rural ministry easier by nurturing and supporting "affinity groups." Affinity groups will be formed around particular areas of interest; e.g., moral deliberation, community development, leadership development, evangelism, or resource development. Each affinity group will elect a chair who will serve on a steering committee that will direct and set the agenda for the ELCA Small Town and Rural Ministry Alliance. In this way the Alliance will bring the gifts and resources of a wide variety of partners to bear on rural and small town life and the rural and small town ministry of the ELCA. Click here for information on criteria for forming an affinity group.

The "Weaver"
Each of the affinity groups will have a "weaver" who will initially be a member of the ELCA rural ministry staff. The weaver will put people with similar interests in contact with each other. This staff person will also provide resources to advance each affinity group’s goals.

Become a member
To become a member of the Small Town and Rural Ministry Alliance, fill out the membership application form PDF, 66KB and send it, along with a check for your membership dues to ELCA Rural Ministries and Networking (contact information).