@article{89d3cb226205484a9f99befe704d28bf,
title = "The lived experience of rural churches pastorally caring for farmers and graziers: a practical theology conversation.",
abstract = "This article presents a conversation between a grazier, two farmers (one ordained), a rurally based chaplain, and a social worker regarding rural church engagements. Inspired by practical theology, these collaborators address the research question: From the perception of the co-authors, how does the Anglican Church of Australia engage with farmers and graziers in rural, regional and remote locations? Utilising the co-operative inquiry methodology, this empirical research reminds us of the strengths of the rural Anglican church despite its fragility. It highlights that the church is an important and unique space where people in a community can explore existential crises and theological questions. Based on the authors{\textquoteright} experiences and reflections, the rural Anglican church can contextualise the gospel and give members a sense of belonging while engaging with the beauty and transitions of rural living. It can also provide practical and pastoral care for members transitioning through family tragedy, anxiety or the potentially traumatic experience of farm succession planning.Free open access link: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/1756073X.2024.2337969",
keywords = "social work, theology, sociology, farmer, graizer, farm, rural, regional, remote, Anglican, church, engagement, multidisciplinary, co-operative, inquiry, participatory, co-design",
author = "Monica Short and {Julia Anderson} and Garry Hamersley and Eldred Royce and John Anderson",
note = "Monica Short Monica Short is a senior lecturer at Charles Sturt University, School of Social Work and Arts. Collaboration, engagement and story are fundamental to Dr Monica Short's research and teaching. Monica coordinates the International Network of Co-operative Inquirers, is a member of the Anglican Church of Australia Mission and Ministry Commission, a member of the CSU Gulbali Institute, an adjunct centre scholar with the Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture, a member of the Anglican Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn and a nomad volunteer with Bush Church Aid. For more information about Monica{\textquoteright}s scholarship, please visit https://arts-ed.csu.edu.au/schools/social-work-arts/staff/profiles/teaching-and-research-staff/monica-short Julia Anderson Julia Anderson is a teacher, first-generation grazier, scripture teacher and a member of a rural church in the Anglican Diocese of Armidale, Australia. The co-authors, Julia and John Anderson, have been married for 35 years and have four adult children. Garry Hamersley The Reverend Garry Hamersley is a retired agribusiness manager, retired Lieutenant Commander with the Royal Australian Navy and senior Chaplain and Head of The Mission to the Seafarers, Port Hedland, Australia. Eldred Royce The Reverend Eldred Royce is a part-time farmer and Anglican minister in the Anglican Diocese of North West Australia. He has previously worked as a rural Chaplain. John Anderson John Anderson is a fifth generation farmer, retired politician and former Deputy Prime Minister of Australia. He is a member of a rural church in the Anglican Diocese of Armidale, Australia.",
year = "2024",
month = may,
day = "16",
doi = "10.1080/1756073X.2024.2337969",
language = "English",
journal = "Practical Theology",
issn = "1756-073X",
publisher = "Equinox Publishing",
}
