Send us a textCan the church still thrive in the bush?When James Wood's father declared, "The church has abandoned the bush," it became a call to action. Now, as parish priest in Warracknabeal, Victoria, James is proving that rural ministry isn't dead—it's being reimagined.In this episode of The Theology Pod, Dean Michael Davies sits down with Rev. James Wood to explore what ministry looks like when traditional models no longer work. From founding Wild Echidna Enterprises to installing Blue Trees for mental health awareness, from running drumming workshops to maintaining Prayer Book services, James embodies a new vision for the church in rural Australia.Drawing on his own experience ministering through drought and crisis in Merriwa, NSW, Michael probes the hard questions: How do you sustain ministry when parishes can't afford full-time clergy? What does faithful presence look like when success might simply mean surviving? How do you create space for vulnerability in communities where asking for help is seen as weakness?Discover:Creative sustainability models combining parish work, chaplaincy, and social enterpriseHow L'Arche community shaped one priest's approach to rural ministryThe intersection of environmental crisis and spiritual crisis in farming communitiesWhy reaching seven schools with wellbeing programs might be the future of evangelismWhat "Project Regenerate" means when everyone else sees inevitable declineWhether you're passionate about rural Australia, curious about innovative ministry models, or wrestling with what faithful presence means in challenging contexts, this conversation offers both practical wisdom and theological depth.The church hasn't abandoned the bush—it's finding new ways to be present.Support the showThanks for joining us on The Theology Pod. We hope today's conversation has given you something meaningful to wrestle with as you continue your own spiritual journey. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave us a review on your favourite podcast platform—it really helps other seekers find our conversations. You can find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts. For show notes, reading recommendations, and to join our ongoing discussion, visit us at TheologyPod.com. You can also follow us on social media @TheologyPod on Facebook for reflections and updates on upcoming episodes. We love hearing from our listeners. Feel free to send us your questions, topic suggestions, or just let us know how these conversations are impacting your faith journey via our social media platforms. Remember, theology isn't just an academic study—it's the lived experience of wrestling with the divine in our everyday lives. Keep asking the hard questions, keep seeking, and keep engaging with the mystery. Until next time, may you find grace in the questions and peace in the seeking.

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