Kevin Ruffcorn, Rural Evangelism: Catching the Vision. Augsburg Fortress Press, 1994.
Referenced in: Small Church Leadership
LifeandLeadership.com Summary
Most materials written on church development and evangelism are designed to help churches reach the more culturally-immersed population typical of suburban or urban settings. Rural areas, however, have some degree of distance from current trends, and embody a unique sub-culture which must be learned and appreciated.
In this volume Kevin Ruffcorn draws upon his extensive experience as a ministry practitioner and seminar leader to describe an approach to evangelism that fits rural settings. The appendix includes helpful worksheets to help leaders and interested members use insights from the book in their local contexts.
From the Publisher
Many books are published addressing evangelistic concerns of the urban and suburban churches, but few speak to the rural churches. With different concerns and dynamics than larger churches, rural congregations need to find ways to break down barriers built up over years of close physical contact with little spiritual challenge. Many rural churchgoers do not engage their fellow churchgoers, and so many never evangelize those with whom they do business with every day. This can be a problem when those same people constitute ones entire sphere of acquaintances.
Responding to the need for a new vision of evangelism for small towns and rural areas, Kevin Ruffcorn presents lively suggestions and new understanding gleaned from his workshops on rural evangelism and his own experience. He emphasizes that the vision of evangelism held by those in suburbia and other well-populated neighborhoods usually does not fit rural settings. The author looks at the possibilities and the problems typical of less densely populated areas, reviewing some concerns many of them experience: small memberships, frequent turnover of pastors, decreasing population of surrounding communities, and the challenge of facilitating needed changes.
Evangelism needs to emphasize faithfulness to God’s call to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ, using the talents and resources available. A broader understanding can free congregations to dream big dreams and to see new possibilities. They do not need to feel compelled to evaluate their efforts in terms of large increases in membership. Rather, says Pastor Ruffcorn, such congregations can emphasize both inward and outward aspects of nurturing their own members and reaching out to their neighbors. This can be done by words and through actions in an intentional and relational manner.
Rural Evangelism is not a primer on evangelism, but rather attempts to refocus the evangelistic ministry of rural churches into a vibrant and active arm of the church. Leaving evangelistic instruction to dedicated ministries (such as Way of the Master or Evangelism Explosion), Ruffcorn rightly focuses on the Holy Spirit’s role in evangelism while dealing with rural struggles in evangelism.
About the Author
Kevin E. Ruffcorn is an active pastor, workshop leader, and author that has served in congregations in North Dakota, Illinois, and Wisconsin. He is currently serving as a pastor/mission developer with Desert Streams Lutheran Church in Surprise, Arizona.
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