What would an effective missional rural church look like?

Our most recent webinar in Rural Mission Solutions was on the theme of how rural churches could become missional.  As usual, it attracted a lot of favourable comments from those who attended including one from a vicar who had watched it with his curate and plans to increase that circle.  It occurred to me that it might be helpful to reflect on what an effective missional rural church might look like.

Before I get into that, you can see the recording and find the supportive papers on the Rural Mission Solutions website.  It is not the actual recording, as the technology failed us.  It is a recording made afterwards when my voice was tired and dry, so excuse the coughs!

So, the webinar focuses on what would help a rural church to become effectively missional, but what might that look like?  Here I need to give a warning. In setting out an ‘ideal’ I run the risk of causing frustration to all that come short – including me!  But I take heart that the apostle Paul often set out an ideal in his letters and prayed that those to whom he was writing would try to attain to it.  So here goes.

1.       It would be a church where the members are excited by and enthusiastic about the gospel story.  I note that Paul, writing to the Christians in Philippi, states that a characteristic of true Christians is that they glory in (or boast in or exult in) Jesus. In suggests being thrilled about Jesus.  If Jesus thrills us it would show in all we say, sing and do.  I have a Catholic friend whose excitement about Jesus spills over when she prays.  It’s lovely!

2.       It would be a church where there is genuine love for one another regardless of differences. This would be seen in the joy we find in each other’s company.  It would be seen in the interest we show in the lives of others.  It would be seen in the support and encouragement we gave to one another.  It would be seen in the way we put other people before ourselves.

3.       It would be a church integrated into all that is good about village life.  We have lost the plot if we are seen as something other than and different from the village community.  Of course, there will always be some things where our faith will make us distinct.  But we cannot show we love our neighbours if we separate ourselves from all that they find enjoyable.

4.       It would be a church that is demonstrably focused on being a blessing to others.  We should earnestly seek God’s blessing in our individual and shared lives, but only so that we can be a blessing to others.  If we appear self-interested, only doing things to promote our cause or take from the wider village community, we shall fail miserably.  Ideally, at least once a quarter we would invest our time, energy and money in doing things for the general good of the village.

5.       It would be a church known for caring.  We should be the first on the scene with an offer to help when anyone in the village has a crisis.  We should be sensitive to the needs of others and ready to act discreetly.  Older people without personal transport should be offered lifts into town or taken out for a treat.  People who might struggle financially might have some discreet support from a foodbank.

6.       It would be a hospitable church.  This is taking welcoming to a higher level.  Visitors should always be treated as guests and preferred before ourselves.  Far too often we want and expect people to fit into what we do and the way we do it.  Cherish the guests who call into church, consider their needs but don’t smother them.

7.       It would be a church with a clear sense of purpose.  If you haven’t yet seen the recording from the webinar on how rural churches can become missional, do see it soon as it has some key points about a shared vision for what we are and where we are going.  There is probably nothing more boring than a church that is drifting or showing no movement.  But a church that has a clear sense of direction and where every member knows how to play their part is a great witness.

8.       It would be a church that is clean and tidy.  Even historic buildings can look attractive.  They don’t all need to look as if they haven’t seen a lick of paint for more than a decade, and where books and magazines are musty and dog-eared.  Paths should be weeded and swept.  Stepping inside should be to a bright and warm (or cool on hot days) experience.

9.       It would be a church that engages with all five marks of mission (see the video of the webinar if you do not understand this).

10.    It would be a church where people are able to and comfortable with talking about their faith.  Not all will have had a sudden conversion experience, but all should have a faith that is real and be able to articulate this to others gently.

11.    It would be a church where the preaching/teaching is relevant to the lives of the people in the pew, where sermons are more about talking with people and less like preaching at them.  It would not sound churchy or use anachronistic language and style.

12.    It would be a church where no on and nothing takes pre-eminence.  There is little worse than dominant noisy people or organs!

13.    It would be comfortable.  If it is stuck with pews these would be well cushioned.

14.    It would be a church where change is understood and accepted.  After all, if new people join then their presence will change things.

15.    It will be a delight and probably growing through conversions.

Please feel free to add your own thought to the list.  How nearly ideal is your church?

Barry Osborne 5th May 2018