A recent national survey from Lifeway Research says that 92% of Christians believe in evangelism, but only 35% feel they can do it. The actual phrasing was that the not-too-surprising number of Evangelicals “feel ready for most opportunities.”
The 2024 Survey on Christian Cultural Engagement was a sample panel of 1,000 respondents who identified as “Protestant/non-denominational and whose church is nondenominational or in a denomination within the evangelical religious tradition.” Among this group, 72% attend church weekly attendance and only 9% are the “Eastermas” folks who go twice annually. A great majority of believers go to church regularly.
At service, they hear the promises of Jesus’ love, the power of the Holy Spirit, and everything God wants to do through their lives. Yet, among people who make church a primary part of their lives on Sundays, what happens when they leave and encounter Mondays through Saturdays? Feelings vary from person to person. When meeting someone who isn’t interested in the Lord, isn’t walking with the Lord, or isn’t clear who the Lord is, how to approach the situation also varies. The numbers in this survey may show why.
Inside the Numbers of Evangelism
Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.“
As it was in Jesus’ day, there is considerable work and outreach to reach the lost. Sin abounds around most corners. Life plays tricks on your head. And temptation is everywhere for you to make the wrong choices. Yet, “the workers are few.” There are things to do, places to go, and people to reach. But who is willing to do the work?
There wasn’t a population problem back then, and with nearly 8 billion people on the planet, personal contact is rarely an issue. The “work of God” should be the focus here–work. Without someone full of compassion, empathy, or zeal, that work won’t be accomplished.
Think about Jesus. He was rarely stationary. If He wasn’t walking somewhere to find someone or provide a miracle, He was looking for people who needed to hear the Gospel. From cities to synagogues, Bethlehem to Bethany, Jesus was busy doing God’s work (known as His “Father’s business.”) We should spell “ministry” W-O-R-K. In these numbers, many Christians are doing it.
- 69% read their Bible almost daily
- 70% have not given up on our culture and try to influence it
- 79% believe the Bible is a good foundation and relevant for daily decisions
- 87% think the Bible defines what is included in a life of faith and God’s service
- 92% agree Christians have the responsibility to share truths from God’s Word
Children of God stand in solidarity about the need to reach others with the Gospel. The survey also shows people want to live the Bible and believe the Bible does explain to us how to live:
- 75% strongly to somewhat agree to speak up when someone says something that doesn’t align with the Bible
- 80% do not think evangelicals have trouble understanding how to apply the Bible to important questions
- 83% do not think the Bible is silent on most of the big questions our society is facing
- 89% strongly to somewhat agree that evangelicals want to promote biblical truths among people they know
According to this survey, American Christians love the Lord. They honor God’s Word and want to see it in the lives of others, but who is going to place it in front of them?
Outside the Opportunity of Evangelism
Look! I have been standing at the door, and I am constantly knocking. If anyone hears me calling him and opens the door, I will come in and fellowship with him and he with me.
There’s Jesus–knocking at the door, not soliciting, just visiting. He wants us to welcome Him inside our hearts, but like with the random door-to-door salesperson, if we don’t know who it is, we don’t answer. They can knock all they want. We will ignore the noise, let dogs bark, and probably hide behind the couch.
The same can be said for Jesus. No one will answer the door if they don’t know who is there. Unfortunately, many Christians assume someone else will make the introductions. More of that was on this survey as well.
- 49% sometimes to never test what they see in society against Scripture
- 53% rarely have opportunities to engage in conversations with people who disagree with the Bible
- 60% sometimes to rarely seek opportunities to promote the Bible’s perspective on topics knowing they are not popular
- 61% sometimes to rarely share a biblically informed view when someone says something that is not biblical
- 93% want to demonstrate biblical compassion to those outside their church
There’s the rub. The largest amount of Christians want to reach others with the Gospel message but many don’t actually do it. What stops all Christians from doing something they know needs to be done to grow the Kingdom of God? There may be three reasons:
Uneasy
Some people are the modern-day versions of Phillip the Evangelist or Moses. They have zero fear or intimidation when walking up to a stranger and discussing Jesus Christ. It could be at a gas station, amusement park, or a food court in the mall. You’re putting a fork full of pasta in your face and here comes a younger Billy Graham to let you know that Jesus loves you.
Witnessing can be uncomfortable despite what Jesus did for us and regardless of God wanting us to share His Son’s work. You begin to question your recall of Biblical stories and characters. The other person (or people) doubts your take on the infallible Word of God and you stumble with your position. Any number of things can happen when witnessing. Yet, many Christians are under the preconception if you don’t appear flawless in conversation, you did “something wrong.”
That wouldn’t happen if we understood the result of witnessing is our responsibility.
I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their labor.
Apathy
Despite the numbers in the survey, how strong is the belief that witnessing is that important? Telling people about Jesus isn’t only the pastor’s job. Each of us is equipped with the sword of the Spirit, and at any given moment, we need to be ready to be a swashbuckler for the glory of God. No one hits the target 100% of the time, but you should never be ashamed to take a swing.
Yes, we believe all people should know the love of Christ. All people should understand–and accept–what Jesus did on the cross for their sins. But, it takes someone sharing that story. In Psalm 96:3, the psalmist says, “Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.” It’s more than praise or a suggestion. It will give birth in our hearts and we can’t help but share what God did for us to others.
Friendly
Evangelism requires more than memorizing verses from the Bible; it requires zeal to help people. You have to enjoy seeing someone in a vulnerable moment because you know there’s a life preserver out during that storm—and you have good aim. When done aggressively, evangelism can come across as unwarranted and upsetting. But at the right time, the conversation is easy and the other person is receptive. But what if you just don’t enjoy talking to new people?
It would help if you believed there are people to reach even if you are among folks like that. God will provide the perfect opportunity to reach the lost, even if your personality isn’t one to be “out there.” Jacob was known as a “quiet man” (Genesis 25:27). John was largely considered an introvert. And Moses was “slow of speech” (Exodus 4:10). How’d evangelizing work out for him?
Forget the numbers. Ignore the feelings. If you believe witnessing and sharing the Good News is important, ask God for an opportunity and He’ll surprise you. He wants what you want too.
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