Mission and Ministry

The Arthur Rank Centre is home for the National Rural Officers for the Church of England and for the Methodist Church and the United Reformed Church. They provide consultancy, support, advice and advocacy for rural churches. The NROs are available for training, speaking and preaching engagements across the country and work in partnership with other organisations such as the Plunkett Foundation and Citizens' Advice. They are experienced in rural community development and provide policy on advice on rural issues including planning, localism, food, farming and environmental issues.

The Rural Officers Network is an ecumenical network of Rural Officers across the Dioceses, Districts and Synods of the churches. Through frequent briefings, regular visits and an annual gathering the network is resourced and serviced by the National Rural Officers based at the ARC.

The network itself is a diverse group of lay and ordained people, with a wide range of time and resources at their disposal, who seek to support the life of the church in rural communities in their areas. They are a vital source of information, expertise, and pastoral support for the rural church.

An annual gathering for Rural Officers is held at the Arthur Rank Centre. The next one will be 9-10 November 2011. Please email for more information: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .