Six Thousand Country Churches

Book excerpt: 'Six Thousand Country Churches' by Charles Otis Gill and Gifford Pinchot is a groundbreaking exploration of the state of rural churches in Ohio, revealing an oversupply of small, weak churches with low attendance and a high turnover rate of ministers. Through extensive research, the authors provide a comprehensive analysis of the challenges faced by these churches, including a lack of educational resources and an absentee ministry. However, they also offer a compelling program to improve the efficiency of these churches, including a better ministry, community churches, and agricultural cooperation. The book also includes detailed tabular summaries and maps, providing a comprehensive picture of the state of Ohio's rural churches. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the future of rural churches and the role they play in their communities.