SINCE 1900, RURAL AMERICA HAS EXPERIENCED AN AIMLESS TRANSITION. PRIOR TO THAT DATE, A WELL ESTABLISHED PATTERN HAD EVOLVED WHICH INCLUDED THE DIVISION OF THE LAND AREA INTO FAMILY FARM UNITS AND TOWNS, WITH SMALL CITIES EMERGING AS TRADE AND SERVICE CENTERS FOR THE FARM POPULATION. DURING THIS PERIOD OF TRANSITION, HOWEVER, CHANGES HAVE BEEN MADE WHICH HAVE NOT ALWAYS REPRESENTED PROGRESS, UNTIL TODAY IT HAS BECOME EVIDENT THAT IF RURAL SOCIETY IS TO PROGRESS, DECISIONS WILL HAVE TO BE MADE WHICH WILL ENRICH PEOPLE'S LIVES AND FOSTER THE WELL BEING OF THE NATION. THE STRENGTH OF THE CHURCH IN THE AREA OF RURAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT IS NOT FOUND IN ITS OWN ACTION PROGRAMS, BUT IN ITS SUPPORT AND CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM OF COMMUNITY STRUCTURES, INSTITUTIONS, AND AGENCIES HAVING A RESPONSIBILITY IN THAT DEVELOPMENT. A PRIMARY FUNCTION OF THE CHURCH IS TO HELP MAN ACCEPT HIS RESPONSIBILITY FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, WHICH WILL ULTIMATELY RESULT IN THE CORRECTION OF PRESENT DEFICIENCIES IN RURAL YOUTH PROGRAMS AND PROMOTE PROGRESS IN THE LATTER PART OF THE 20TH CENTURY. THIS SPEECH WAS PRESENTED AT THE NATIONAL OUTLOOK CONFERENCE ON RURAL YOUTH, OCTOBER 23-26, 1967, WASHINGTON, D. C., SPONSORED JOINTLY BY THE U. S. DEPARTMENTS OF AGRICULTURE, HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE, INTERIOR, AND LABOR, OEO, AND THE PRESIDENT'S COUNCIL ON YOUTH OPPORTUNITY. (ES)