When the going gets tough, the people get going : how the lack of twenty to forty year-old people is experienced in rural communities of faith

Abstract

“When The Going gets Tough, The People get Going: How The Lack of Twenty to Forty year- old people is experienced in Rural Communities of Faith” is a research project by Tami Jill Spires, submitted December 9, 2016, in partial fulfillment of the Masters of Divinity degree at the Atlantic School of Theology in Halifax, Nova Scotia. This qualitative, phenomenological study seeks to explore rural church attendees' experiences of living with this lack. 9 people were interviewed and of the 9 people, 6 interviews have been chosen to provide insight into these experiences. Through a review of literature, theological exploration, and data provided by the participants, this research paper will explore relevant themes of rural church attendees' experiences. Implications and limitations of these findings will be explored as to how they might impact rural church attendees and their community life.