Does Anybody Really Know What Evangelism Is?
Two reckless—but probably true—unscientific statistics come to mind immediately. Eighty percent or more of church members in North America do not know what evangelism is. Fifty percent or more do not care.
I suspect many readers might say, “I don’t know about the scientific truth of these statements, but my hunch is that among all church members your percentages may be right—with emphasis on the ‘or more’.”
Several decades ago, denominations from one tradition that grew out of the Reformation conducted research to discover how congregants defined evangelism.
During the 500-plus years since the Reformation began, many denominations in this tradition formed. On a theological spectrum these denominations now span from progressive to fundamentalist in their doctrine. The research included the full theological spectrum.
The Answer
The number one definition of evangelism chosen by members of churches affiliated with these denominations was: Evangelism is reactivating inactive church members.
They really did not know what evangelism is. They may not have cared.
Most—if not all—denominations in the study were in decline.
I do not recall how many categories of inactive people needing reactivation the research named. Possibilities are the unchurched, underchurched, dechurched and similar categories.
This was before many researchers and strategists threw around terms like “nones” and “nothing in particular”.
I would not place reactivating inactive church members in the same category as evangelism. It is important work—often more difficult than reaching new people as Christians.
Other research conducted before this research on defining evangelism talked about denominational families. It discovered growing denominations have clearly defined what evangelism means in their tradition.
Plus, they have strategies and programs that support their approach and style of evangelism.
The Action
As a consultant to Christian congregations, I decided to use this research to engage active congregational leaders in dialogue.
I composed an exercise. It asked people to personally provide definitions for three terms, then talk about them in a small group and come up with consensus definitions.
Often multiple small groups were in the room. This lent itself to reaching a consensus among the key leadership of a congregation. Then to dialogue about the implications.
The Assessment
The title of the exercise was—Evangelism, New Member Recruitment, and New Member Assimilation.
These were the terms to define:
1. Define Evangelism in a way that distinguishes it from New Member Recruitment and New Member Assimilation.
2. Define New Member Recruitment in a way that distinguishes it from Evangelism and New Member Assimilation.
3. Define New Member Assimilation in a way that distinguishes it from Evangelism and New Member Recruitment.
The Evangelism answer I sought was to briefly state the process or strategy by which a preChristian becomes a Christian. This is Kingdom growth.
The New Member Recruitment answer was to state the process by which a person becomes a member of a church. This is church growth.
The New Member Assimilation answer focused on how people move from the edges of the church to involvement in a disciplemaking process and missional engagement.
The people completing the exercise did not know where the discussion would head next. The intention was to create dialogue where these aspects of church life could be defined and developed more deeply.
Lively discussions took place. Also, frustrating discussions.
The number one response from individuals and groups was that all three of these were the same thing.
Regarding evangelism, many congregational leaders did not really care about evangelism. They just wanted their church to grow, or at least to not die. They were church growth or survival focused rather than Kingdom growth focused.
It empowered dialogue to sharpen how congregations viewed non-members, and to develop new strategies. Often strategies to identify people and actions that would be helpful in all three areas.
Early dialogue focused on attractional issues. I nudged the dialogue toward missional issues. I also tried to move the assimilation dialogue more toward a disciplemaking dialogue.
The Alarm
Without a clear definition of evangelism, a passion to engage in evangelism, and an evangelism strategy and actions focused on the spiritual journey of preChristians, not much evangelism takes place in churches.
Without faithful, effective, and innovative evangelism, churches and denominations die. God’s Holy Spirit must go around major portions of the organized Church to fulfill the Great Commission in the spirit of the Great Commandment.
Check Out
The first post in this series— He Gets Us is Not the Answer
Reaction from a regular reader: Thanks for this helpful and practical article on evangelism. I have to confess I have assumed that our churches would know what evangelism is, but, your take has me reconsidering my assumptions. Keep up the good work."
Excellent article, George! And a great trip in nostalgia with the Chicago picture!