When I’ve presented the data, people always look concerned—and with good reason. I believe there are two main reasons for concern. The numbers show the lack of evangelism is both an endemic and systemic problem among believing people.
Lack of Evangelism
Lack of evangelism is a trait sadly not localized to a certain subset of Christians. It is a disposition that seemingly affects the majority of believers. Consider for a moment what that means.
We are a people saved by grace through faith in accordance with what Christ has done for us—He lived the sinless life we could not, died a sinner’s death in our place, overcame death on our behalf, and ascended to sit at the right hand of the Father where He continually intercedes on our behalf.
That is good news! That is the greatest news in all of history, yet we, according to the research, don’t talk about it with our lost friends and neighbors and co-workers. We are strangely mute when it comes to sharing the very thing that makes us gospel people.
Pastors were rightly concerned over the endemic nature of the problem, but that also points to the second reason for concern—the problem is systemic. Church leaders often talk about the need for evangelism, but the way they lead their churches often negates their words.
They often talk about inviting people to church, offer a list of resources, or encourage their people to listen to a radio station or podcast. Those are fine ways for them to encourage their people in evangelism—but only those who are already engaging in it. Those things do not create evangelistic people out of those who are not.
What about Pastors?
As we look at churches, we see that pastors are key. By modeling an evangelistic life and by doing their work in evangelistic ways, pastors lead by example. Echoing the words of Paul from 1 Corinthians 11:1, “Imitate me, as I imitate Christ,” pastors need to be about evangelism if they want an evangelistic church.
This is the beginning point. You cannot lead what you do not live. If we are going to talk about the need for evangelistic engagement by evangelistic people, we have to be those who engage in evangelism.
But Not Just Pastors—Not Even Close
Some object to sharing the gospel, saying they do not have the gift of evangelism.
I agree; you don’t. But I don’t think anyone has the gift of evangelism. There is no gift of evangelism in the Bible. There is the gift of the evangelist (Ephesians 4:10, for example). The evangelist is given to the church.
Ephesians 4 says that God has given apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. The evangelist is one of God’s gifts to the church. To what end? To equip, to help all of God’s people engage in the task of sharing Christ.
