The problem of evangelistic programs

It doesn't take much effort to convince most Christians that evangelizing within their community—in their city or neighborhood—is the right way to go. It's easy to find people who are willing to come together to become participants in such evangelism.

However, when we talk about community evangelism, evangelistic programs usually come to mind, but they are not quite the same thing. By «program» we mean a one-time, large event with a well-known speaker or an exciting topic, during which the Gospel is presented at a certain point. Or, perhaps, a program is less formal, geared toward those who are seeking, such as a charity project or a sporting event, with the hope that it will open the door to spiritual conversation.

God can use programs. I know people who have come to faith at evangelistic events. For reference: I often support and speak at evangelistic programs. However, I do not consider programs to be the most effective or primary way to evangelism.

If you look at the programs without illusions, the picture becomes different.

First, there is the inverse cost-effectiveness: the more money spent on programs, the less evangelism results. For example, when young people under the age of 21 (the age at which most people come to faith), were asked how they became born again, only 1 percent said it was through television or other media. In contrast, a staggering 43 percent said they came to faith through a friend or family member. Think of the cost-effectiveness of a cup of coffee versus a television program. Or consider the results: Moms lead more people to Jesus than programs.

Surprisingly, evangelism programs seem to do other things better than evangelism: they create community among the Christians who participate in them, encourage believers to stand up for their beliefs, and can also help churches discover new opportunities for ministry.

Yet we seem to have an insatiable hunger for evangelistic programs. Why? Programs are like sugar: they are tempting, even addictive. But they distract us from «healthy food.» Such programs provide a quick burst of energy, but over time they leave us sluggish, and if such a «diet» becomes permanent, it can be extremely dangerous.

The strict «diet» of evangelistic programs ultimately depletes evangelism itself. Like sugar, which can create the illusion of satiety without real nutrition, programs give the impression that we are evangelising when in reality we may not be. Therefore, we must be careful with programs, using them strategically and in moderation, remembering that God did not send an event—He sent His Son.

What should we do? We want to evangelize our community, we want to have friends by our side when we share our faith. At the same time, we see the limitations and even dangers of the programs. Is there an alternative?

I would like to propose something quite different, something that is both communal and personal: a culture of evangelism centered on the local church.

Church and evangelization

Jesus said:

«By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another» (John 13:35).

A little later, while communicating with the disciples, He prayed for their unity:

«I pray not for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me and I am in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you sent me» (John 17:20–21).

Understand this: Jesus says that the love we have for one another in the church is evidence that we are truly converted. And when we are united in the body, we show the world that Jesus is the Son of God. Love confirms our discipleship. Unity confirms the divinity of Christ. What a powerful witness!

There are many verses that guide and shape our evangelistic efforts, but these verses provide the biblical foundation that indicates that the church should be a vehicle for a culture of evangelism.

This means that the local church is the Gospel made visible. If we are to show the Gospel in our love for one another, it must happen in a local church of people who have committed to love one another and to be one body. This is not abstract love, but love for real people in the real world. I can’t count how many times I’ve heard non-Christians say that the church seemed strange to them, but it was the love among the church members that drew them to it.

But the Gospel is not only shown in our love. Have you ever thought about how many biblical instructions God has built into the structure of the church that, when done correctly, serve to proclaim the Gospel?

In our pursuit of a healthy culture of evangelism, we are not converting the church for evangelization. Instead, we allow the things that God has already built into the church to proclaim the Gospel. Jesus did not forget the Gospel when He created the church.

For example:

• Baptism shows the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. It shows how His death is our death and His life is our life.
• The Lord's Supper proclaims Christ's death until He returns and encourages us to confess our sins and receive forgiveness again.
• When we pray, we proclaim the truths of God.
• When we sing, we celebrate the great things God has done for us through the Gospel.
• When we donate financially, we do so to spread the evangelistic message.
• And, of course, the preaching of the Word brings the Gospel.

In fact, the preaching of the Word forms the church from the very beginning. And once the church is formed, it is given the task of making disciples, who then go out to preach the Gospel to plant new churches. This cycle has been going on since Jesus ascended into heaven and will continue until He returns.

A culture of evangelism arises from below, not from above. In a true culture of evangelism, people understand that the primary task of the church is to be the church. We recognize that the practice of the church itself is already a witness, and that the church supports and prays for evangelistic opportunities. But the role of the church is not to launch programs. The task of the church is to nurture a culture of evangelism. It is the members of the church who go out into the world to proclaim the Gospel.

I know this may seem trivial, but it is really important. If you get it wrong, you can destroy your understanding of the nature of the church—and become unreasonably angry with church leadership.

So, in a healthy evangelistic culture, it is clear that the church and individual believers have different priorities. We need churches that embody the Gospel according to a biblical vision, and Christians who are friendly to those who seek God. This means that what you do in personal evangelism may not always be best for the church as a whole.

The goal of a culture of evangelism is for every believer—not just the pastor or minister—to share faith, pray, and seize opportunities as they arise. Our shared responsibility is to be faithful witnesses.

I am convinced that if church members spent at least half of their program time in friendly evangelistic conversations with neighbors, colleagues, or classmates, it would bear more fruit and reach more people. After all, there is no way that all the unbelievers with whom your church members interact each week could fit in your church building—no matter how large it is.

In fact, most people come to faith through the influence of family members, in small Bible study groups, or during conversations with a friend after a service: when Christians consciously talk about the Gospel.