The proceedings of a national conference to examine the present situation and needs in rural areas of Rhodesia and to formulate a strategy of joint Christian participation in development are provided. The conference program centered around three main themes: Training Schemes, Extension and Development in Rural Areas, and Ecumenical Action in Rural Development. The proceedings are organized as follows: (1) introductory presentations of major themes, (2) group discussions of topics arising from major themes, (3) group reports on topics to plenary session, and (4) group reports and conference recommendations. Appendixes provide the conference program, list of participants, Guidelines for Rural Development, Regional Consultations, Resume of Background Papers, A Note on the Mission Farms Consultation, Daily Devotions, and Toward a Theory of Development. (DB)