Why would anyone go to a rural area to be a missionary or a pastor?

Why would anyone go toa rural area to be a

missionary or a pastor?

• some pastors return to rural areas because it’s home.

• some pastor’s go to rural/ small town churches because it is where they can find a job.

• RHMA posts a statistic that three out of four graduates seeking a pastorate will find themselves in a small town or country church.

Investing in Rural Communities

• Is it a waste of an education to serve in a rural community?• Is it a waste of

money keeping rural churches open?

Is investing in places like Middle Lake Saskatchewan a waste of your time, talent, and education?

Mathew 28:18 “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

• When God says go into all the world it includes rural areas.• 6.3 million Canadians live in rural

areas or 18.9% of the population. (1000 people or less or less than 400

people/km2)

Could this be a place with more opportunities than you imagined?

Measuring our Effectiveness and Influence

NUMBER OF PEOPLE CHANGED

AMOUNT OF CHANGE

HOW LONG CHANGE LASTS

TOTAL INFLUENCE

more people = more influence

Fewer People = Less Influence

Raw numbers are important.

Is this your idea of the ideal missions project ?

potential audience

actual audience

See anyone engaged in

conversation?

As crowds get larger we tend to talk to fewer people.

A good place to start a conversation.

Smaller places foster more opportunities for meaningful contact with people.



AMOUNT OF CHANGE


TOTAL INFLUENCE

“Teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” Matt 28:18

HEAR/SEEexperience

EVALUATE

DOimplement

REFLECT

MODIFY

A Place Where You Can Be Heard.

• Pastor is still a title of respect.• Lack of competition.

A Place Where You Can Make A Second Impression.

• Most people are not convinced of a new idea the first time they hear it.

• Most people won’t listen to new or difficult ideas the first time they meet you.

• WE NEED MULTIPLE CONTACTS WITH THE SAME PEOPLE IF WE WANT TO BE HEARD AND UNDERSTOOD.

A place where you can live out your message.

• We are called to be an example of how to live a life that pleases God where we serve.–A little presumptuous?–Sound a little arrogant?–Does it strike you as Biblical?

Philippians 3:15‘Join with others in following my example, brothers and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you.’

How complete is the blueprint you are creating for others to follow?

SHOW ME YOUR INTENTIONS

SHOW ME COMPASSION

SHOW ME GRACIOUS SPEECH

SHOW ME HOW TO LOVE MY CHILDREN

SHOW ME HOW TO WORSHIP

SHOW ME HOW TO WORK AND SERVE

SHOW ME HOSPITALITY

Leading by Example• Real live demonstrations are the best way to

explain abstract concepts.• People “evaluate” what we say by what they

see us doing.• We cannot claim that Christ makes a

difference unless people can see that it is making a difference.

• The small town provides a unique opportunity to teach by example.

A Two Way Street• While I am watched I am watching.• Knowing your audience is crucial in

teaching.• I am learning how the community and

the church ACTS, REACTS, and INTERACTS.

A place to learn by doing.

THE HEART OF A SERVANT

A PLACE TO SERVE



AMOUNT OF CHANGE


TOTAL INFLUENCE

Lasting Change• Multigenerational Ministry

Grampa

Helping our generation with

harvest.

Reaching the next generation through

AWANA

Walking through doors others have opened.

Opening doors others will walk through.

The late Gary Hiebert “Gentle Giant”

The challenge that’s an opportunity.

• It takes a long time to change anything• Changes last for a long time.


A COMMUNITY

THINKING MORE LIKE CHRIST

FOR A LIFETIME

A SIGNIFICANT MINISTRY.

We have a unique

opportunity to influence smaller

communities; To see hearts changed to

seek God, to know God, and

to obey God.

“It is not necessary to be in a big place to do big things.”

Billy Sunday

Why would anyone go to a rural area to be a missionary or a pastor?

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