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Can 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 enterprise
• How L'Arche community shaped one priest's approach to rural ministry
• The intersection of environmental crisis and spiritual crisis in farming communities
• Why reaching seven schools with wellbeing programs might be the future of evangelism
• What "Project Regenerate" means when everyone else sees inevitable decline

Whether 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.

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Until next time, may you find grace in the questions and peace in the seeking.