Evangelism in the Rural Setting: Part I, Obstacles

As a pastor in a rural setting, I have seen the desire of Christians to reach others with the gospel.  There is a real and genuine desire to do evangelism and many of my members do make it a practice of inviting friends and family to church.  This post should not in any way be seen as a criticism of rural congregations, but as an opportunity to truly examine some of the obstacles we face in evangelizing our communities.

Evangelism isn't easy no matter where you go and evangelism in the rural setting can be particularly challenging.

Dr. Glenn Daman writes, concerning the challenges of evangelism in the rural community;

 Home Bible Studies, which are effective in the larger communities, find only moderate success in the smaller communities. Door to door evangelism, popularized by Evangelism Explosion, not only is unappealing to the congregation, but seems an exercise in futility by those who do attempt to institute the program. Friendship evangelism seems the most promising, yet, in most rural communities, there appears to be more friendship than evangelism. Everyone in the community knows each other, yet there are few who respond to any evangelistic thrust. While the pastor, who has the gift of evangelism, may experience some success, frustration and discouragement come when he attempts to motivate and involve the rest of the congregation. If the strength of the small church is found in its fellowship, its weakness is discovered in evangelism. 

Even when a congregation determines that evangelism is truly important and will be a huge focus for that congregation, there are obstacles.  Sometimes Christians and congregations are aware of these obstacles, but at other times there is a blindness to them.

Now, note that I am by no means an expert on all things evangelism in rural settings.  I am simply a parish pastor who desires to see evangelism happening in rural settings.  Also note that not all rural settings are the same.  One thing that drives me crazy is when church leadership addresses all rural settings as if they are identical.  I am writing this having experienced rural living in north-central Illinois and south-east Missouri, with some experience in areas of Colorado and Nebraska and some knowledge of things in Wyoming, Oklahoma, and Texas.

Obstacles 

1. Long Time Relationships 

The summer before my junior year of High School we moved from Casper, Wyoming to the suburbs of Detroit.  In Wyoming I had played basketball, baseball, and football and played in the High School orchestra.  In Michigan I again played basketball, baseball, and football (though I did run cross country for one year to train for baseball) and I was a part of the choir.  I was heavily involved, but it took well into my senior year before I started to actually feel a part of things.

Why?

Because everyone else in the High School had already created their bonds of friendship.  So, while no one really tried to exclude me from things, few made it a priority to include me either.

That's how it often is in the church.  In the rural church many members are related and most of the members grew up together.  Friendships have been formed and shaped over the course of many years.  So when a new person comes to the church, while no one intentionally excludes them from things, few people intentionally include them either.

After church is done extended families get together for lunch, friends get together later in the day to do something together, but few take the time, energy, and initiative to invite the new person or visitor to join them.

There's not an intentional exclusion, but there often isn't an intentional inclusion either.

2.  Country Nice

In most rural settings there is an unwritten understanding that it is best to avoid anything that might stir up controversy.  This happens in part because the people around you are people you'll see at the store, the restaurant, at the grain elevator, etc. and most people don't really want to deal with strained relationships over the long haul.  So, people treat each other with "country niceness" and avoid things that lead to conflict.   Evangelism is often seen as a violation of being "country nice."

3.  Inoculation From Church 

In the rural setting, it is extremely rare to encounter people who haven't had any exposure to the church.  Most people have at least some connection to the church (grew up in the church, went to church with grandma, went to VBS as a child, etc).  Most have at least heard some idea of the gospel, but they've decided that church isn't for them.  It can be much more challenging to evangelize someone who has had exposure to the gospel and rejected it than it is to bring the Gospel to someone who hasn't yet encountered it.

In Missouri I also encountered many people whose exposure to the church was entirely law based and because of that, they were burned out on the idea of church because they thought the church was entirely hypocritical.  When the exposure to church is exposure to the false gospel of self-improvement or self-righteousness, it inoculates people from the church and thus, from hearing the true Gospel of Jesus Christ.

4. Living History

If there has been division in the church, a pastor with moral failings, or some other problems in the church, the community likely knows about it and remembers it.  If there is a member or are several members who are negatively perceived by the community, it can be a challenge too.  People in rural areas tend to have long memories and tend to know what is happening in their communities.

Note that this does NOT mean that churches shouldn't welcome people who are negatively perceived by the community.  The church should be the one place where they are welcomed with open arms. 

5.  Wishful Thinking

It is generally assumed by many people, that if someone lives in a rural area, that person is a Christian.  This leads Christians to hesitate in inviting someone to church, because they figure that they're already a Christian anyhow.

Wishful thinking also allows Christians to think that their uncle or neighbor or co-worker, even though they never go to church and show little outward evidence of having faith in Christ, are Christians.
Some examples of this wishful thinking are...
"I've heard him talk about God before, so I think he's probably okay."
"No, he never comes to church and he doesn't really want the pastor or elders to visit, but I knew that he learned the right things as a child and I'm sure he still knows the truth and believes it."

6.  Let Down

When individuals and/or a congregation takes up the task of evangelism, the reality is that they will be met with far more "failure" than "success."  Far more people will reject the invitation and message than will receive it and believe it.  This "failure" can be very discouraging and can lead individuals and congregations to give up on evangelism.

Note that "failure" and "success" are being used here as they tend to be used in our world, however true "success" in the church is found in faithfulness to God.  Whenever we take up evangelism, even if we don't see results, it is a success.  

This is a list of some of the obstacles we face in rural communities concerning evangelism.  It certainly isn't an all-inclusive list and I'd love to hear from you if you have something to add.

However, these obstacles are far from insurmountable.  Remember that the same Holy Spirit who was at work in the early church continues to be at work today.  The same Holy Spirit who brought you to faith can use you as an instrument to bring others to faith too.

In my next post I will begin to share ways in which the church in rural settings can take up the task of evangelism and be faithful witnesses for Christ.