Why Plant in Rural Areas
Last time we discussed why we fear rural church planting. Looking at that list you might wonder whether it’s worth looking at rural areas at all.
But there are good reason why we must be willing to plant in rural areas.
7 Reasons for Rural Planting
Statistics: 10.6 million people live in Britain’s rural areas, that is 16% of the overall population. If we miss this, we’re neglecting a huge part of the population
Static communities: 23% of people will not move more than two miles from the place they lived as teenagers. This across rural and urban, but it shows that transient middle-class university graduates may overlook the need to reach the significant population who will never move.
Mainstream decline: Many village have been served by Anglican and Methodist churches. While some have been faithful, sadly false teaching in these denominations has increased. This has led many faithful Christians leaving the churches they grew up in. If this trajectory continues, many rural Anglican and Methodist churches will die, leaving opportunities for new churches which didn’t previously exist.
Realism: The average FIEC church has 37 members. This is pretty similar in other denominations. If we assume we will be planting churches of this size, a viable rural church seems plausible.
History: If you read the history of great revivals and awakenings, they didn’t happen exclusively in urban areas. God isn’t limited by population dynamics.
Modern-day stories: We’re keen to share more stories on our website of modern-day rural stories growing successfully. A look at these stories proves success in rural church is possible.
Jesus: Our saviour was born in Bethlehem (pop. 300-1,000) and grew up in Nazareth (pop. 500). He ministered in the town and villages of Galilee (Luke 8:1) and encouraged his disciples to do the same (Matthew 10:11). If we follow our saviour we must not neglect either urban or rural lost sheep, Jesus sought them both!
I hope this has been an encouragement to you that rural church planting is worthwhile.
However, there is still the question of how we do it.
Join us next week, when I will be sharing four priorities for village ministry.
