In 2002 we welcomed the invitation from the Rural Theology Association to serve as founding editors of the new peer-review journal, Rural Theology. At the close of the decade we decided to stand back and to review the articles that had been published in the journal by that stage. We were impressed by the range, by the originality, and by the contribution already made to serious reflection on the life, ministry, and mission of the rural church.

As we reviewed the material, we also recognized that clear themes and clear patterns were emerging from these original articles. We recognized, too, that the cumulative impact of the individual contributions could be enhanced by drawing them together within a thematic structure and by offering them to a wider audience through a reader on Rural Life and Rural Church.

There has been a close association between the development of this reader and the Doctor of Ministry programme offered by Glyndŵr University in association with the St Mary's Centre and the Centre for Studies in Rural Ministry. On the one hand, some of the articles have emerged as the direct result of MA dissertations, DMin dissertations and research conducted by faculty in association with course participants. On the other hand, the journal has served as a core resource for the programme to provide models for the development of the researchbased reflective practice to which the programme is committed.

We have only been able to produce this reader because of the work of many colleagues. We wish therefore to thank the authors who have submitted material to Rural Theology, our colleagues on the editorial board, those who have accepted invitations to peer review material, and those who worked with us on the production of the journal and this reader.