"The Nine Nations of North America" by Joel Garreau It's a bit dated, but still serves as a good background for what has been happening for the past 30 years across the country, and helping those concerned about rural churches. His chapter on "The Empty Quarter" (taken from the Arabic "Rub' al Khalil") is particularly helpful. - Shared by Ron Lammers
I would recommend the following books on family systems. The books are: 'Healthy Congregations: a Systems Approach'; 'How Your Church Family Works: Understanding Congregations as Emotional Systems'; & 'Congregational Leadership in Anxious Times: Being Calm and Courageous No Matter What'. These are all by Peter L. Steinke. His older book, 'How Your Church Family Works: Understanding Congregations as Emotional Systems' is very good. - Shared by Debbie Ketcham
Here is an older database I maintained until the end of 2009 (Key Rural References – KRR) relating to Small Church material. This document is an .xls spreadsheet.
Robyn McPhail suggested I send you the current booklist students are using for the Rural Ministry Studies course (MM 206) for EIDTS. Having retired from full-time active ministry I find it's often difficult to keep up with recent publications and also necessary to ensure I don't overwhelm students with too much material.