Evangelism in the Rural Setting: Part II, Advantages
Churches in rural areas know that evangelism can be a real challenge.
In my first post on this topic I laid out some of the obstacles we face in rural areas in regards to evangelism. The purpose of the post was not to express hopelessness or despair, but so that we in rural settings can honestly and openly acknowledge the real obstacles that exist so that we can address them.
In this post I want to bring to the forefront some advantages we have in the rural setting when it comes to evangelism. The suburbs and cities get the buzz in most circles because it can be far easier to quickly gain members of a congregation in those settings, however the rural setting has some advantages that aren't present in the cities and suburbs.
Those living in the suburbs might never get to know their neighbors. Our mobile society makes it a challenge to build long term relationships. Technology that was meant to make us more connected often does the opposite and instead leads to greater isolation.
However, in the rural setting, many and sometimes most of an individual's relationships are long term. The friends one has in childhood often remain his or her friends for a lifetime. The neighbors you had 15 years ago are likely the same neighbors you have today.
These long term relationships can be open doors to share the gospel of Jesus Christ, but only if we are intentional about it.
Meeting someone for coffee each day for a decade isn't evangelism, but it could be an open door for evangelism. If you live next to someone for 30 years, they'll notice that you go to church each Sunday and you'll notice if they don't. But your empty driveway isn't evangelism. But if, for 30 years you invited your neighbor to church consistently, asked how you could pray for them, brought them Christmas Cookies with a gospel tract, etc., you might just make some headway and give the Holy Spirit a great chance to be at work.
The fact that there are long term relationships with neighbors, friends, and often extended family presents the rural church with wonderful evangelism opportunities to bring the gospel to individuals, not just once or twice, but countless times over a lifetime.
However, in rural areas there are opportunities for evangelism that often go unnoticed. When a new person does move into the area, it can be a big deal and it presents you with the opportunity to get to know them and invite them to church with you. Every new neighbor is an opportunity for evangelism.
Additionally, every trip to the grocery store, High School game, doctor's office, and pretty much anywhere else you go in the area is an opportunity for evangelism because everywhere you go you are bound to run into someone you know. Each of these encounters presents an opportunity for evangelism.
Which brings me to the next point...
And if someone rejects the gospel? Well, we'll see them again and the Holy Spirit will get another chance to work.
In my first post on this topic I laid out some of the obstacles we face in rural areas in regards to evangelism. The purpose of the post was not to express hopelessness or despair, but so that we in rural settings can honestly and openly acknowledge the real obstacles that exist so that we can address them.
In this post I want to bring to the forefront some advantages we have in the rural setting when it comes to evangelism. The suburbs and cities get the buzz in most circles because it can be far easier to quickly gain members of a congregation in those settings, however the rural setting has some advantages that aren't present in the cities and suburbs.
Advantages
1. Long Term Relationships
In my first post I noted that "Long Term Relationships" can be an obstacle for evangelism and it is so. However, long term relationships can be a huge advantage as well.Those living in the suburbs might never get to know their neighbors. Our mobile society makes it a challenge to build long term relationships. Technology that was meant to make us more connected often does the opposite and instead leads to greater isolation.
However, in the rural setting, many and sometimes most of an individual's relationships are long term. The friends one has in childhood often remain his or her friends for a lifetime. The neighbors you had 15 years ago are likely the same neighbors you have today.
These long term relationships can be open doors to share the gospel of Jesus Christ, but only if we are intentional about it.
Meeting someone for coffee each day for a decade isn't evangelism, but it could be an open door for evangelism. If you live next to someone for 30 years, they'll notice that you go to church each Sunday and you'll notice if they don't. But your empty driveway isn't evangelism. But if, for 30 years you invited your neighbor to church consistently, asked how you could pray for them, brought them Christmas Cookies with a gospel tract, etc., you might just make some headway and give the Holy Spirit a great chance to be at work.
The fact that there are long term relationships with neighbors, friends, and often extended family presents the rural church with wonderful evangelism opportunities to bring the gospel to individuals, not just once or twice, but countless times over a lifetime.
2. Opportunities Abound
Have you ever done door to door evangelism? I have. It can be effective, but it can also be very intimidating for the person knocking on the doors and for the person opening the door. There is often defensiveness on the part of the person inside because they don't know you from Adam and have no way of knowing if you are genuine, a crazy person, or swindler. Often, all the people want is to get the door closed as quickly as possible.However, in rural areas there are opportunities for evangelism that often go unnoticed. When a new person does move into the area, it can be a big deal and it presents you with the opportunity to get to know them and invite them to church with you. Every new neighbor is an opportunity for evangelism.
Additionally, every trip to the grocery store, High School game, doctor's office, and pretty much anywhere else you go in the area is an opportunity for evangelism because everywhere you go you are bound to run into someone you know. Each of these encounters presents an opportunity for evangelism.
Which brings me to the next point...
3. Nowhere to Run, Nowhere to Hide
This ties in with both points above. In rural areas, it is really hard not to run into people you know. Yes, you run into strangers and meet new people, but just about everywhere you go there will be people you know. If we Christians are intentional and bold, we will have a steady supply of people we know who need to hear the gospel.And if someone rejects the gospel? Well, we'll see them again and the Holy Spirit will get another chance to work.
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