Session 1 – Understanding the Appalachian Church An overview of Appalachian culture and values

2. Session 1 – Understanding the Appalachian Church • An overview of Appalachian culture and values

3. Why Study Appalachia Culture and Values I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. (1 Corinthians 3:6 HCSB)

4. Jesus and Culture A little later some of the other bystanders came over to Peter and said, “You must be one of them; we can tell by your Galilean accent.” (Matthew 26:73 NLT) “Men of Galilee,” the angels said … (Acts 1:11)

5. Appalachia “Dorothy, you’re not in Kansas (or Louisville) anymore.”

6. Our Culture Identifies Us And they were astounded and amazed, saying, “Look, aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? (Acts 2:7 HCSB)

7. Appalachian Imagine Image Was Developed By • Media – to sell books, magazines, and newspapers • Government – to sell programs • Missionaries – to raise support and funds

8. Appalachian Imagine Various Views • Popular National Image • Official Government Image • Industry’s Longstanding Image • Church’s Image • Self Image of Appalachian’s

9. Appalachian Culture and Values Those who are sensitive to and utilized Appalachian Values are more successful than those who are less sensitive or fail to recognize the values. (Conclusion of a study conducted by WVU)

10. The Appalachian Region Appalachia lies along the Appalachian mountains, which extend from Mississippi to New York, and includes three sub-regions.

11. The Appalachian Region • The region was originally inhabited by Native Americans • The name Appalachia comes from the Appalachee tribe of Northern Florida • The geographical region known as Appalachia is named after the mountain chain which serves as a barrier from the outside world • The isolation that the mountains bring has preserved many traditions

12. Pronouncing the Word Late 17th century. Formed from Apalachee, the name of a Native American people of what is now the southeastern United States. Ap·pa·la·chi·an [àpp láychee n, àpp lách n] adjective Ap·pal·a·chi·ans [àpp láychee nz, àpp lách nz] Ap·pa·la·chi·a[àpp láychee , àpp lách] noun

14. Appalachian Mountain Range Appalachians in North Carolina

15. Appalachian Mountain Range • The Appalachians, about 1,500 miles in length, extend from central Alabama in the U.S. up through the New England states and the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Quebec. • Significant ranges include the Cumberland Mts. in Tennessee, the Blue Ridge Mts. in Virginia, the Alleghenies in Pennsylvania, the Catskills Mts. in New York, the Green Mts. in Vermont and the White Mts. of New Hampshire. • The highest point is Mt. Mitchell in North Carolina at 6,684 ft (2,037 meters).

16. Appalachian Regional Ministry • A partnership ministry of the • North American Mission Board • Woman’s Missionary Union • 11 State Conventions in the 10 State Region of Appalachia. PA OH MD WV VA KY TN NC SC GA For mission opportunities go to www.arministry.org

17. Appalachian Regional Ministry • 19 million people • 13 million unchurched • Poverty • Spiritual darkness – some areas over 90% unchurched • Mission Opportunities PA OH MD WV VA KY TN NC SC GA

18. Early History • During the colonial era, Appalachia was claimed by Europeans in search of independence • Much of the Civil War was fought in Appalachia • Land was settled by veterans, immigrants, and adventurers

19. Geography and Economy • Geography makes farming and industry difficult • Local economy cannot support the population for most of Appalachia

20. Geography and Economy • Despite the natural beauty of the region, tourism fails to generate enough profit to offset negative economic trends • The region’s traditional economy is based on agriculture, extractive industries (coal mining), and blue-collar manufacturing jobs

22. Northern Section • Extends from New York into West Virginia and Ohio • Economic base in steel, coal, and railroad transportation • Reduction in employment has occurred in this region

23. Central Region • Includes sixty contiguous counties in Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee • History of the most grinding poverty in America • Where War on Poverty started and failed • 3rd. World conditions • Entitlement mentality

24. Southern Region • Extends from Virginia through the Carolinas and into Alabama • Includes many unique regional folklore traditions (Foxfire Series

25. Significant influences to the Appalachian Culture • Northern • Labor Unions • Decline of the major industries (steel, chemical) • Education • Central • Migration • Labor Unions • Unemployment/Poverty • Decline of the coal and timber industry • Southern • Tennessee Valley Authority • Anti labor union • Education • Textile industry

26. Appalachian out-migration • 7 -8 million people migrated from Appalachia between 1940-1990 • Most have moved toward industrial centers, auto assembly factories in Michigan and Ohio, textile mills, banking or high tech jobs in the South • “Brain drain” • Since 1980 Appalachian migration has decreased but not stopped

27. Traditional Appalachian Identity • Regional folklore shared with younger generations • Arts and crafts highlight the region’s beauty • No other large geographic region in the United States has so many family members who live their lives in proximity to their birthplaces

28. Traditional Appalachian Identity • Extended kinship networks • Children learn from parents and clan • Family surname can identify persons and link them to a kinship network

29. Types of Appalachians • Native – holding on to the past • Modern – changing with the times • Electronic – in touch with the world (www.) • Displaced – lives outside of Appalachia, heart still back home • Returned – one who moves back home at retirement or job lost • Adopted – moved to the region and now calls it home • Hidden – from Appalachia, relocated out of the region and keeps their roots a secret

30. 1960’s: War on Poverty • Attitude toward poverty was simplistic: if a region is destitute, give it goods, services and infrastructure • JFK initiated War on Poverty in 1963 • LBJ implemented the program

31. War on Poverty • The Community Action Program sent volunteers into the region • The Federal Government poured money into the region • Social programs such as welfare relief, public works projects and subsidies to industries were implemented

32. Poverty Wins the War • Rather than investing in education, businesses, and other income-generating concerns, federal aid was used to finance more consumption and more children • Welfare and state aid become dominant source of income • Despite efforts the region lacked entrepreneurship and education

33. Poverty Wins the War Today 37 of the 100 poorest counties in the USA are in Central Appalachia. 27 of the counties are in Eastern Kentucky which has the poorest of the poor.

34. The “10 Minute Window” When you travel the Interstate system through Appalachia you see one world, progressive Appalachia – travel 10 minutes on either side of the Interstate and you often see the other side of Appalachia.

35. Effective ministry means: • Know the area you will be serving: • The history • Demographics • Economy • Poverty/Literacy • Religious history and background • Make a long-term commitment

36. Questions and Answers Discussion

37. Session 2 – Ministering within the Context of Appalachian Culture • How Understanding the culture will enable one to more effectively minister in Appalachia

38. Education • Many schools often lack basic supplies • Because much of the population is poor, Appalachian states have lower tax revenues • This results in less funding for schools and substandard education

40. Literacy • Level I & II estimates of literacy: Kentucky 54%; Georgia 54%; Ohio 45%; North Carolina 52%; South Carolina 56%; Tennessee 53%; Virginia 47%; and West Virginia 56%. The national average is 47%. • In the heart of Central Appalachia, some areas are over 80% of Level I & II. • Level I estimate of literacy: Kentucky 19%; Georgia 23%; Ohio 18%; North Carolina 22%; South Carolina 25%; Tennessee 21%; Virginia 19%; and West Virginia 20%.

41. Religion • Key feature: autonomous, regionalized sub-denominations of Christian religions • Regional churches tend not to be involved with centralized religions • They often follow a literal interpretation of the Bible • The King James Version is still the translation of choice for the majority

42. Religion • Most churches place a great importance on religious experience, especially in relation to conversion • Life extremely hard - the sense of independence carries over into their religious experience • Works • Emotional • “Spirit lead” • Lay lead

43. Religion • Wesleyan-Armenian/Pentecostal influence • Roman Catholic influence • Church of Christ influence • “Baptist” in Appalachia may not mean the same thing that it means in the “Bible Belt” states. • In parts of Appalachia, many SBC churches are Southern Baptist for convenience or tradition not out of conviction. • Be careful about talking negative about other faith groups • In many rural areas Baptecostal would be a good descriptive term

44. Religion In Central Appalachia: • Denominations are irrelevant • Religious tradition often takes place over Scripture and dogma • One out of three unchurched have been previously churched • Salvation is equated to simply believing in Jesus

45. Music • Strong folk tradition • Churches are very influential: no explicit lyrics • Country/Bluegrass influence • Prevalence of white country gospel music • Square dancing is a common form of entertainment

46. Music • Music within the church community is changing • The change has brought challenges, pain, life, division, … • Today you will find a wide variety of styles of music • Music style will govern worship style

47. Factors to Remember When Ministering in Appalachia • Culture (particularly the area where you will be serving) • Poverty • Education (yours may not be important to them) • Literacy levels • Religious background • Music

48. Twelve Values Common to Appalachians Values you need to know to do effective ministry in Appalachia.

49. Twelve Values Common to Appalachians • Traditionalism or Heritage – a Strong Love of Tradition. • love of things as they are. Change comes slowly. There is a need for process time. • Strong sense of family or Familism • family centered; loyalty runs deep; responsibility may extend beyond immediate family; "blood is thicker than water." Relationships are very important. High value placed on good neighbors.

50. Twelve Values Common to Appalachians • Neighborliness and Hospitality - help each other out, but suspicious of strangers; spontaneous to invite people for a meal, to spend the night, etc. • People are friendly, but not open to strangers. • Trust is important. Tend not to ask your advice until they trust you. • Relationships are important and deep relationships are developed slowly and last a lifetime.