URBAN DRIFT AND ITS IMPLICATION FOR GLOBAL MISSIONS

BY

Ezekiel Ajani, PhD

INTRODUCTION

This paper discusses the implications of the rural- urban drift for the task of Global Mission. The paper argues that in the 21st century, a major implication for the church, based on the growing population of cities, is the innovation of effective mass evangelistic strategies to fulfil the Great Commission.

Rural- Urban drift is a phenomenon or process whereby people dwelling in rural areas relocate to cities or urban centres. This trend is sometimes described as urbanization. Among other reasons, urbanization is primarily caused by the belief in individuals that better opportunities of life are available in the cities. In the quest to experience such available amenities in cities, people flock to such areas. Some of these urban facilities include, better housing, clean water, electricity, access to better health, good roads and other.

While it is true that many people, especially youths migrate to the urban centres for a better life, it is however not certain whether it is all these drifters who actually enjoy the intended social amenities. This experience notwithstanding, the influx of people from rural to urban centres continues to be a reality in many world societies. The flooding of people into cities has brought about what has been described as mega cities. Such cities are so named based on the high population of people the gigantic structures, developed road networks, societal complexities, and such other features. Some of the world’s mega cities with population above 10million people include, Tokyo, new yoke, Lagos, Cairo, London, Seoul, Paris and so on.

Innovation Strategies for Mass Evangelism.

The continuous rural- urban drift leading to high human population density in cities is an issue on which the church cannot fold her arms or pretend to be blind. The mission mandate by Christ for the church in Mattew28:18-20 saddle her with the responsibility of reaching such centre’s with the gospel. Therefore, what are the major missilogical implications of urbanization for the church in every society? In this study, I will emphasize one major implication of urbanization for missions. This is an implication which the church in every urban centre cannot ignore. It is the implication of innovating effective strategies to reach large audiences with the gospel (mass evangelism) in the cities.

The high population of cities saddles urban churches with the task of creating viable strategies to reach more people at once with the gospel. Three of such strategies include: mass evangelistic champagnes, the information communication Technology and the homogenous church planting principle.

Mass Evangelistic Campaigns (Crusades)

Mass evangelistic campaigns otherwise known as ‘crusades’ is a viable way of presenting the gospel massage to large audiences at the same time. In Nigeria today, there are evangelistic crusades with almost half a million people in attendance in a singular night. If urban centres would be reached with the gospel, such gigantic crusades must continue. However, it has been noted that more often than not, there is little or no adequate follow- up for people who make conversion claims. Likewise, the welfare of the crusade attendees often leaves much to be desired. Thus, if the church would continue to use crusades as a means for conversion in urban missions, there must be adequate follow-up for the new converts and the issue of participants’ welfare must not be toyed with.

Homogenous Unit

Another viable strategy for urban missions is the issue of homogenous unit principle of church planting. A homogenous unit is the unit in which all members of a certain section of the society share some common characteristics, such as language, ethnicity, vocation and others. If the church is planted within such homogenous units, there is the tendency of reaching more population of people who have certain characteristics in common. It must be mentioned that this principle has its own criticisms, however, the advantages of the strategy out- weights the disadvantages.

Information Communication Technology (ICT)

Finally, a third mass evangelistic strategy which can help reach a larger audience in urban centres is the use of the information Communication Technology (ICT) to propagate the gospel. Such media include, the internet, televisions, computers, satellite cables, radio, and so on. In this century, more and more people continue to have access to many of these information media. It must be admitted that the ICT is pretty expensive; nevertheless, churches that have the financial capability must not miss the opportunities it offers.

Conclusion.

This paper has briefly studied the issue of rural- urban drift and its implication for global missions. The paper identified the issue of innovating strategies and methods to reach lager audiences in urban centre’s as the major missiological implication for the church. Three major strategies in pursuance of mass evangelism planting and the ICT. I am positive that if this major implication and its attendant strategies are effectively implemented, global mission would be a reality.

Bibliography

Ajani, E.O.A. “Missicological Reflections on Crusades in Nigerian Christianity as a means for Conversion in Urban Missions” Ogbomoso Journal of Theology Volume XV (2), 2010:143-162.