Acknowledgements
We would like to thank The Duke Endowment and its Director of Rural Church , Robb Webb , for believing in and supporting this project . We would also like to thank our advisory committee , who contributed their expertise to shaping the study and interpreting the findings : Luke Bretherton , Rev . Amy Coles , Dr . Ram Cnaan , Rev . Beth Crissman , Rev . Grace Hackney , Rev . Beth Hood , Wilson Hooper , Mark E . Jensen , Jonathan LeMaster-Smith , Kathleen Marks , Rev . Robert Parsons , Rev . Tim Russell , Mikki Sager , Rev . Gray Southern , Laceye Warner , and Joshua J . Yates . We are also indebted to the denominational staff who helped us get in touch with the congregations in the midst of a global pandemic : Rev . Dr . Carl Arrington , Rev . Gil Wise , Rev . Beth Crissman , Rev . Gray Southern , Rev . David Christy , Rev . Mike Frese , Rev . A Ray Broadwell , Rev . Kenneth Locklear , Rev . Edie Gleaves , Rev . Randy Innes , Rev . Beverly Coppley , Rev . Linda Kelly , Rev . Linda Taylor , Rev . Laura Auten , and Rev . Michael Bailey . We are grateful to each of you !
PREPARED BY :
Rachel Hildebrandt , Partners for Sacred Places Emily Sajdak , Partners for Sacred Places Bob Jaeger , Partners for Sacred Places Katie Zager , UNC Charlotte Urban Institute Angelique Gaines , UNC Charlotte Urban Institute
REVIEWERS :
Lori Thomas , UNC Charlotte Urban Institute Ely Portillo , UNC Charlotte Urban Institute Khou Xiong , UNC Charlotte Urban Institute
SPECIAL THANKS : Congregations that participated in the study
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