Project – The Gospel or the money in Public Transport Evangelism

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

• Background to the Study

Public transport evangelism has emerged as a distinctive form of outreach within contemporary Christian ministry. It involves the use of public transportation systems—such as buses, subways, and trains—as a venue for sharing the Christian gospel. Scholars have debated the ethics, effectiveness, and potential of this type of evangelism, especially in the context of balancing the spiritual mission of the church with the financial realities of the transportation system. While some argue that this form of evangelism is a vital expression of faith in urban spaces, others raise concerns about whether it commodifies the gospel for monetary gain, thus highlighting a potential tension between spiritual and financial motives in public transport ministry.

The primary aim of public transport evangelism is to engage commuters in a way that makes the message of Christianity accessible to people who might otherwise not attend traditional church services. According to Galli (2015), urban areas, with their transient populations and diverse demographics, present a unique challenge for evangelism. Public transportation systems, which serve as daily touchpoints for large numbers of individuals, offer a strategic location for the dissemination of religious messages. By reaching commuters in the midst of their daily routines, evangelists hope to spark conversations that may lead to personal transformation. A critical analysis of public transport evangelism suggests that this method is highly effective in urban centers where other forms of outreach may not be as impactful (Smith, 2020).

However, the commercialization of public transport presents significant ethical concerns. Scholars like Cross (2017) argue that the commercial nature of public transit systems complicates the ethical landscape of evangelism. When public transport becomes the platform for preaching, there is the risk of the gospel being associated with or even subordinated to the profit-driven motives of transport authorities. The introduction of paid evangelism services, where preachers or evangelists are compensated by transport companies for using buses or trains as venues for gospel delivery, raises questions about the sincerity and purity of the Christian message. Could the financial arrangements inadvertently lead to a commodification of the gospel, undermining its core message of salvation by grace rather than transactional exchange (Wright, 2018)?

On the other hand, some practitioners of public transport evangelism contend that financial support for outreach initiatives is a necessary and practical reality. According to Lewis (2019), the cost of transporting materials (such as literature or promotional materials) and funding staff or volunteers can be prohibitive for many churches. As such, they may enter into partnerships with transit agencies, where their evangelistic efforts are subsidized. This financial support can help extend the reach of the gospel to wider populations and fund ongoing missions. Lewis defends the idea that financial backing, in these circumstances, does not diminish the authenticity of the message, so long as the gospel remains the central focus of the ministry (Lewis, 2019).

In addition to concerns about commercialization, critics also highlight the potential for public transport evangelism to perpetuate a form of spiritual exploitation. Some theologians, like Fisher (2016), argue that the transient nature of commuting crowds might foster superficial or “transactional” conversions. Commuters may feel pressured into accepting pamphlets or engaging in quick conversations, but these brief encounters may not lead to lasting spiritual change. Fisher contends that the ethical implications of such encounters should be examined closely, particularly when individuals’ spiritual well-being might be influenced by the social pressures of their immediate environment, rather than a genuine decision to follow Christ.

Public transport evangelism represents a promising and innovative approach to outreach in urban spaces, but it is fraught with ethical tensions. Balancing the need for financial support, while ensuring the purity of the gospel message, remains a critical concern for practitioners and theologians alike. Further research is needed to explore the long-term effectiveness of this ministry, particularly in terms of its ability to produce sustained spiritual change and the impact of its financial models on the integrity of the evangelistic message. Future studies should also consider the role of public transportation in shaping the ethical dynamics of evangelism and whether these models can be replicated without compromising the authenticity of Christian witness.

1.2. Statement of the Problem

Public transport evangelism, as a method of urban outreach, presents both a significant opportunity and a profound ethical dilemma. At its core, this form of evangelism seeks to bring the Christian gospel to individuals in public spaces—particularly those using buses, trains, and subways—where they might not otherwise engage with a faith-based community. However, a growing concern is whether the financial dynamics surrounding this form of outreach compromise the integrity of the gospel message. The issue lies in the tension between the financial arrangements necessary to facilitate public transport evangelism and the underlying spiritual mission of the church. Evangelists and churches involved in this type of ministry face a critical challenge: balancing the need for funding with the purity of their message. This problem has emerged as a point of contention among practitioners, theologians, and ethicists who question whether public transport evangelism risks prioritizing financial gain over the authentic proclamation of the gospel.

A key aspect of this issue is the growing reliance on commercial partnerships between transit agencies and evangelistic ministries. In some cases, churches or ministries partner with public transport systems to receive financial support for their outreach efforts. This support might come in the form of payment for evangelistic services, subsidies for materials, or even an arrangement where evangelists are compensated for their time. While these financial arrangements make it easier to sustain large-scale outreach efforts, they also introduce the potential for conflicts of interest. Critics argue that such financial support might lead to the gospel becoming a commodity in a market-driven environment, where evangelistic efforts are tailored to meet the needs of the transportation company rather than the spiritual needs of individuals (Cross, 2017). The question arises: can the gospel, a message that is fundamentally about grace and salvation, be authentically delivered in a context that is financially motivated?

Another layer to this problem is the ethical dilemma posed by the commercialized nature of public transport itself. Public transportation is often a commercial service, primarily aimed at generating profit rather than fostering spiritual engagement. When evangelists enter this sphere, they are operating within a system whose primary goals may not align with Christian values. This raises concerns about whether the gospel can truly flourish in a context where the primary incentive is financial profit rather than the genuine transformation of lives. Some theologians argue that the commercialization of public transport evangelism could lead to an environment where spiritual engagement becomes secondary to financial objectives. The danger is that individuals might view the gospel message as just another service or product being marketed to them, rather than as a life-changing invitation to faith (Wright, 2018).

Furthermore, the issue of superficial or transactional conversions in public transport evangelism compounds the problem. Due to the transient nature of public transportation users, many evangelistic encounters are brief and may not provide the depth of relational engagement necessary for a lasting commitment to the Christian faith. Commuters may accept pamphlets or participate in short conversations out of social politeness, rather than a genuine desire to explore spirituality. The concern here is whether such interactions result in authentic conversions or if they simply represent a momentary compliance to the pressures of an immediate, public setting (Fisher, 2016). This raises questions about the long-term effectiveness of this form of evangelism, as well as its ability to nurture deep, lasting spiritual transformation in the lives of those engaged.

Additionally, the financial aspect of public transport evangelism could potentially limit access to evangelistic outreach for communities or churches that lack financial resources. While some large churches or established ministries may benefit from partnerships with transit companies, smaller, underfunded ministries might be excluded from this opportunity due to their inability to pay for the necessary infrastructure or advertising costs. This inequality can create a divide between well-resourced and under-resourced ministries, further complicating the question of whether evangelism in public transport can be inclusive and equitable. The challenge, then, is how to make public transport evangelism accessible to all churches and ministries, regardless of their financial capacity, while still maintaining the integrity of the message being shared.

In conclusion, the problem at the heart of public transport evangelism is the tension between financial support and the authenticity of the gospel message. As ministries increasingly rely on commercial partnerships and financial backing, they must grapple with the ethical implications of such arrangements. The question remains whether evangelistic efforts can remain faithful to their spiritual mission in a context where financial motives play a significant role. To address this problem, it is essential to critically examine the financial structures that undergird public transport evangelism, assess their impact on the integrity of the gospel, and explore alternative models of outreach that prioritize the spiritual over the commercial.

1.3.  Aim and Objectives of the Study

The aim of the study is to examine the Gospel or the money in Public Transport Evangelism. The specific objectives of the study are:

1. To examine the impact of financial incentives on the effectiveness of evangelism efforts in public transportation settings.
2. To assess the attitudes of both evangelists and passengers towards the use of monetary incentives in spreading the Gospel.
3. To analyze the potential ethical implications of using money as a tool for evangelism in public transport.
4. To identify the effective strategies for combining financial incentives with traditional evangelism methods in public transportation.

 

1.4. Research Questions

The research questions are buttressed below:

1. How does the use of financial incentives affect the effectiveness of evangelism efforts in public transportation settings?
2. What are the attitudes of evangelists and passengers towards the use of monetary incentives in spreading the Gospel?
3. What are the potential ethical implications of using money as a tool for evangelism in public transport?
4. What are the effective strategies for integrating financial incentives with traditional evangelism methods in public transportation?

1.5. Research Hypothesis

The hypothetical statement of the study is buttressed below:

Ho: Financial incentives will not affect the effectiveness of evangelism efforts in public transportation settings

H1: Financial incentives will affect the effectiveness of evangelism efforts in public transportation settings

1.6. Significance of the Study

The significance of this study lies in its exploration of the ethical and practical tensions between financial arrangements and the core mission of Christian evangelism in public transport settings. As urbanization increases, cities worldwide are becoming more populated and more diverse, presenting both opportunities and challenges for Christian outreach. Public transport evangelism offers a unique platform to reach large numbers of people who might otherwise be difficult to engage. However, the interplay between the need for funding and the authenticity of the gospel message raises crucial questions about the integrity of this outreach. This study aims to provide insight into how financial motivations can either enhance or compromise the impact of public transport evangelism, offering a framework for more ethically sound and spiritually faithful practices in urban mission.

This research will provide valuable contributions to the ongoing conversation about the commercialization of evangelism. In a time when churches and ministries are increasingly reliant on partnerships with commercial enterprises, understanding the implications of these financial relationships is essential. By critically analyzing the ethics of such partnerships in the context of public transport evangelism, this study will offer a deeper understanding of how financial support can affect the way the gospel is communicated. It will help identify potential pitfalls, such as the risk of commodifying the gospel, where the message of salvation is viewed as another product to be marketed. This is particularly important in a society that is becoming more attuned to issues of consumerism and commercialization in religious practices (Cross, 2017). The findings will be crucial for churches and ministries seeking to navigate these complexities while remaining true to their mission.

Furthermore, this study will shed light on the potential for public transport evangelism to foster authentic, long-term spiritual transformation. While critics of this approach argue that brief encounters in public spaces may result in superficial conversions, this research will examine whether public transport evangelism can lead to meaningful and sustained engagement with the Christian faith. It will explore how the transient nature of commuters impacts the depth of spiritual transformation and whether such encounters can serve as a gateway for further discipleship. Understanding whether these short-term interactions can evolve into deeper relationships and faith commitments is essential for assessing the long-term effectiveness of public transport evangelism (Fisher, 2016). The study could offer practical recommendations for enhancing the depth of these engagements, ensuring that the brief encounters lead to lasting change in people’s lives.

This study is also significant because it addresses the accessibility and equity of public transport evangelism. By examining how financial resources influence which ministries are able to participate in public transport outreach, the research will explore whether such evangelism models inadvertently exclude smaller, less-resourced churches or community organizations. Public transport systems, as public goods, should ideally serve all citizens equally. If financial considerations disproportionately favor larger churches or wealthy ministries, this could lead to a scenario where certain communities are underserved or marginalized in evangelistic outreach efforts. The findings of this research will highlight the need for more inclusive and equitable models of public transport evangelism, ensuring that all Christians—regardless of their financial standing—can participate in this form of mission and have access to the tools necessary to carry out outreach effectively.

In addition to its practical applications for church leaders and ministry practitioners, this study will also contribute to the broader academic field of Christian ethics and urban missions. The tension between the gospel and money in public transport evangelism raises profound theological questions about the nature of Christian witness in a commodified world. How can the message of the kingdom of God, which is about grace, hope, and eternal life, be effectively communicated in a world where financial transactions dominate much of human interaction? This research will provide a theological critique of the commercialization of outreach efforts, offering new perspectives on how to maintain the purity of the gospel in the face of financial pressures. By contributing to the academic discourse on the intersection of faith and finance, this study will be valuable for scholars and theologians who are concerned with the ethical dimensions of evangelism in contemporary society.

Finally, the study’s findings will have significant implications for the future direction of urban evangelism in an increasingly secular world. As cities continue to grow and diversify, public transport evangelism may become an even more important tool for reaching a broad cross-section of society. Understanding how to navigate the financial challenges of this outreach, while ensuring that the gospel remains the central focus, is crucial for the success of future urban missions. By identifying best practices and ethical guidelines for evangelists and ministries engaged in public transport outreach, this research will help shape the future of public transport evangelism, making it a more effective and ethically responsible method of sharing the Christian faith in urban spaces. This study, therefore, is not only timely but also instrumental in helping churches and Christian ministries to adapt and thrive in the evolving landscape of urban evangelism.

1.7. Scope of the Study

The study examines the Gospel or the money in Public Transport Evangelism. The study is limited to selected Christians in Lagos, Nigeria.

 

1.8. Operational Definition of Terms

1. Gospel: The word “gospel” originates from the Old Englishgod-spell, meaning “good news” or “glad tidings.” In a Christian context, the gospel refers to the message of salvation and hope through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It encompasses the core teachings of Christianity, which include the belief that Jesus is the Son of God, that through His sacrifice, humanity can be reconciled to God, and that salvation is available by grace through faith. The gospel message is central to Christian theology and mission, and it forms the foundation of evangelistic efforts to spread Christianity.
2. Money: Money is a medium of exchange used to facilitate the buying and selling of goods and services. In a broader economic sense, it also functions as a store of value, a unit of account, and a standard of deferred payment. Money plays a central role in human society, allowing for the transfer of wealth, the establishment of value, and the provision of incentives for work, production, and consumption. In many contexts, including in public transport evangelism, money can also be associated with financial transactions or motivations, which may have ethical or spiritual implications, especially when it intersects with religious missions.
3. Public Transport: Public transport refers to a system of vehicles, such as buses, trains, subways, and ferries, that is made available for use by the general public, typically operating on scheduled routes and offering affordable fares. Public transport is a key component of urban infrastructure, providing an efficient and economical means for individuals to travel within cities and across regions. It is often funded by government or private entities and is essential in cities to reduce congestion, promote environmental sustainability, and improve mobility for people from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds.
4. Evangelism: Evangelism is the act of spreading the Christian gospel, particularly with the aim of converting others to Christianity. It involves sharing the message of Jesus Christ and His teachings with others, often through personal conversation, preaching, teaching, and other outreach efforts. Evangelism can take many forms, from door-to-door visitation to mass media campaigns to public events or informal discussions. Its central purpose is to invite individuals to hear the good news of salvation through Christ and to encourage them to embrace the Christian faith. Evangelism is a core activity of many Christian denominations and is seen as both a command from Jesus (e.g., the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20) and a key aspect of the church’s mission in the world.

Project – The Gospel or the money in Public Transport Evangelism