The product of a lecture series on the role of the rural church and community in the face of a changing society, this collection of 13 speeches includes: (1) "The Face of Poverty: An Economist's View" (insights into the process of identifying and serving the rural poor, emphasizing interdependence); (2) "Regionalism as a New Basis for Planning" (local initiative via use of the regional commission concept); (3) "Industrial Development in the Nonmetropolitan Community" (a Minnesota case history); (4) "National Farmer's Organization: Economic Strength Through Cooperation" (cooperation between farm and business interests); (5) "The University's Participation in Community Development" (emphasizes need for college-community interaction); (6) "Social Action in a Pluralistic Church" ("creative pluralism" proposed as a model for both community and church); (7) "Opportunities for Renewed Rural Ministry" (prescriptive steps); (8) "Cooperatives: An Opportunity for Effective Ministry Among the Poor" (emphasizes the minister's need to identify with and participate in community aspirations); (9) "The Functional Area and the Church's Mission" (use of systems analysis to affect change); (10) "Understanding Prejudice"; (11) "Leisure as a Way of Life" (leisure as freedom); (12) "Conservation of Natural Resources: A Biblical Responsibility"; (13) "Man's Future in a Changing Society" (creative acceptance of change). (JC)