AGROS MINISTRIES

Rural Evangelism (Catching the Vision)

by Kevin E. Ruffcorn

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Ruffcorn, Kevin E. Rural Evangelism: Catching the Vision. Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Fortress. 1994.

Chapter 1

Rural churches understand that they are to be evangelistic, but many have never properly defined evangelism. Although rural people are neighborly, they have also developed certain areas which are very private (financial condition, family & marital relationships, and religion). Because of the false visions that congregations have established, they forget that the focus of evangelism is on the act of proclamation rather than the results of the activity. True evangelism must be accompanied by words and actions that are intentional and also relational.

Definition = Evangelism is the proclamation of the good news, both inwardly and outwardly, by word and action in an intentional and relational manner.

Chapter 2

The pastor is the most important ingredient in an evangelistic endeavor of any church. There are many issues that contribute to a lack of evangelism: (1) the belief that the pastor is the evangelist and produce a performance mentality. (2) Low population density and encouragement for pastors (loneliness factor) (3) pastoral tenure. These can be handled by: (1) education and negotiation, (2) a well thought out continuing education program and professional support (3) longer stays in the pastorate.

Application = For evangelism to occur in a rural setting the pastor must be healed and healthy. Many times he is a wounded healer who ministers to peoples' needs and shares God vision with them.

Chapter 3

Conflict regarding change is a normal part of congregational life. It must be viewed as part of the process to accomplish change. In order to become evangelistic a church must: (1) discover that the gospel is relevant to everyday life through the teaching and preaching ministry, (2) the congregation must also start to look beyond itself, which is very difficult to do, (3) the church must see itself as a mission outpost in the middle of a vast mission field.

Application = The church must give the fragrance of Christ in a world that is polluted by the stench of sin.

Chapter 4

Many different things contribute to change in the life of a church: evangelism, Christian growth, and church growth all produce change. Harvey Seifert and Howard Clinebell propose 5 steps for change.

1. Motivation and preparation = foundation is laid for change, if this step is ignored then change becomes almost impossible.

2. Diagnosis of problem and alternative courses of action = most congregations become bogged down and lose motivation at this point, many hours spent in debate and discussion.

3. Formulation of a strategy = this should be a result of step 2 if it hasn't gotten bogged down in discussion, this also helps some of the despair created by looking at problems.

4. Implementation of a plan of action = at this step the major requirement is patience, change takes time and many people want immediate results.

5. Review, evaluation, and stabilization of change = some minor changes may be needed but they are to be viewed as a sign of life and health, not failure.

It is suggested that a rural pastor initiate change at a small group level first since: (1) organization is easier in a small group rather than a large one, (2) change is not perceived as great a risk in a small group as a large one (3) once change is established in a small group, it is easier to spread to a larger group. The pastor must be perceived as an innovator and a proponent of the new, and be careful not to focus on what is wrong with the old.

Application = Open communication is the most important tool in motivation, implementation, and stabilization of change. It is often the first casualty in change and usually prevents change from occurring. Those who disagree are not enemies, they are brothers and sisters in Christ. They have a relationship with the same God, they are led by the same Holy Spirit, and they partake of the same table.

Chapter 5

Evangelism occurs when people are motivated to proclaim the gospel of Christ from either internal or external sources. People can be motivated in many ways to become more intentional in their witness by Bible study, Sunday messages, and checklists that evaluate ministry. The most effective tool is the role modeling of the pastor.

Application = Quick fixes, seminars, programs, and magic wands are not the way to have an evangelistic church. God has equipped the body with the necessary tools for effective evangelism. With the power of the Holy Spirit, and willing people, God can make the small church an effective means of evangelizing the community.

Chapter 6

People are opposed to evangelism in many churches due to: (1) fear (2) failure (3) danger of offending people and (4) finances. The Pastor needs to be an effective role model to help a congregation focus from the past to the future. He can accomplish this by a series of questions:

1. What is good, or could be good, about this situation?

2. What is not yet proper or right?

3. What am I willing to do to make it the way I want?

4. What am I willing to stop doing to make it the way I want?

You can't add without removing something else.

5. How can I do what's necessary to get the job done, and enjoy doing it?

Application = The congregation must understand that the journey to change is not a short one. God's example of persistence and patience present a pattern for every church to follow. With it we can reach out and touch a community and allow God to draw them into a relationship with the living God. The congregation becomes a shining light in the darkness of the world and a center of ministry meeting the needs of the people around it.

Chapter 7

A proper role model will help the congregation personally and corporately to visualize what God expects of them. It encourages them to see that they are able to do it since others can accomplish it.

Application = Every rural church can be evangelistic. The form for evangelism is mandated in scripture that we must go into all the world. The function is up to individual churches. People in our communities must encounter Christ in our action and words as we relate to the each day in the course of our life. The pastor must provide the model, vision, and teaching that will cause that to happen.