Who’s the King of the Country?
Recently I’m spending a lot of time in the country starting programs in really little towns. Beaufort (1000), Inverleigh (1200), Creswick (2000), Stanhope (500).
Given that there are larger amounts of Christians in larger towns why do i get so many calls from the remote and the rural. My thoughts.
A) Country Churches loose 95% of their young people to larger towns. They cannot rely on enthusiastic young people
B) Country Churches are in many cases more in touch with reality then Churches in larger towns. Many Country Churches can no longer afford a minister and realise if they don’t do outreach. No one will be reached. Unlike city churches they cannot hope to pick up transfers from other churches
C) Country Churches that are dying realise they ought not just to die quietly, They better do something to show Christ in their community.
D) Country Churches realise they need to work with other churches more then churches from larger centers. They can’t put on outreach events without working together.
I think some wonderful outcomes for God’s Kingdom are going to take place in very small places that no one’s heard of in the coming years.
Over to you…
Tags: Trav
May 16th, 2008 at 8:02 am
I think you are not far off the mark Trav. I think that it is easy for small town churches to feel hopeless and helpless because they cannot afford a minister, or because they cannot seem to hold onto their young people. But in truth, they have some real advantages.
Small town churches can really know their whole community in ways that city churches often cannot. I’ve lived in small towns for some years, and just about every day you’d walk down the street wearing out your arm waving at people you know.
Also, small town churches have the capacity to be really responsive. They don’t need to call a meeting to get everybody on board as much, because their is a natural sense of knowing within such communities.
But more than this, I think if small town churches knew how much they could influence a community, they might relish the challenge. I am often reminded that Jesus’ ministry was often in small towns with a small group of helpers (disciples). There are enormous possibilities that with some well targeted coaching and support could spring a whole new Kingdom movement into life. I am convinced of it!