Posted on 01/27/2015 4:25:55 PM PST by Faith Presses On
Gospel tracts, sidewalk evangelism, street preachers with bullhorns—all of these things seem like evangelistic efforts of yesteryear. But if this seems true, where does that leave the state of evangelism today? Is faith-sharing a fading practice, or does it simply look different today? In all their innovative efforts to engage culture, have Christians left this ancient practice so integral to their faith behind?
Barna Group has charted evangelistic practices and attitudes for more than two decades, and the latest study sheds light on the gaps between evangelism in theory and practice, the social groups who are sharing their faith the most, and the surprising ways economics color one's outreach efforts.
Evangelism in Theory and In Practice When asked if they have a personal responsibility to share their faith with others, 73% of born again Christians said yes. When this conviction is put into practice, however, the numbers shift downward. Only half (52%) of born again Christians say they actually did share the Gospel at least once this past year to someone with different beliefs, in the hope that they might accept Jesus Christ as their Savior.
(Excerpt) Read more at barna.org ...
In fact, in answer to the question of evangelism on the rise or in decline, Millennials are a rare case indeed. While the evangelistic practices of all other generations have either declined or remained static in the past few years, Millennials are the only generation among whom evangelism is significantly on the rise. Their faith-sharing practices have escalated from 56% in 2010 to 65% in 2013.
Not only that, but born again Millennials share their faith more than any other generation today. Nearly two-thirds (65%) have presented the Gospel to another within the past year, in contrast to the national average of about half (52%) of born again Christians.
“Is faith-sharing a fading practice”
No, but it is fast becoming an illegal one
I think we’re seeing a change in methods, due to technology and social changes, and not some overall abandonment of evangelism. After all, when television was invented, I’m certain a lot of radio evangelism disappeared, but only because people were moving to a new platform.
Think about it. Your local evangelist who was handing out tracts on the street, or going door to door, might have reached a few hundred people on a good day, with considerable time, effort and personal expense. Now, he can put his message out on the internet and reach thousands, perhaps millions, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and with less effort and expense as well. So, I think the only reason for keeping the old methods is that you can’t reach everyone with the new methods yet, and perhaps you might get more reliable results from the older methods.
“Friendship Evangelism” is where it’s at and is the most effective. It always has been. Another related one is Evangelism by Association ... in other words, because of some prior connection.
Evangelical ping
Of course it is. But that is a product of our society and family, because it was never meant to be a “style”.
It also offers a personal interaction in the flesh which can be easier and superior communication in terms of expression and building trust.
As every souls that passes by us is either on the broad way to destruction or the narrow way that leads to life, i think we all should have and offer tracts to them. See many here , praise God.
That should be a given, but it is far from effective at preaching the gospel to every creature, as very very few in most parts of the world have a Christian friend who will explain that to them.
But just two persons at a major event can hold forth word of life to multitudes passing by, offering them something recognizable about eternity and their soul, and the opportunity to converse about it.
Indeed ..You are either a trophy of Gods grace or the object of His wrath ...
Good points, the internet is a much more “passive” medium, where people can avoid things that they don’t want to hear, or miss things that they would get from personal interaction.
That is not the job of the church..the church is to minister to the saved.. We are supposed to take the gospel to the world ..
Another thing we see is "pastors" trying to "attract" the unsaved by wearing jeans, sitting on a stool when they preach or having "entertainment " activities..
That has led to churches that are no longer really churches..they are social gathering
Amen, Amen, Amen!
It is as simple as writing the verse Roms. 10:9 on an index card and keeping it in your wallet. I hand that index card out at least a couple times a year.
One time before we were married, my wife was critical of a street preacher standing on a corner preaching The Gospel. She wasn't Born Again yet. I told her you never know who is walking by and hears The Gospel for the first time. She never criticized street preachers again.
Stylish or not, Christians are to be witnesses and make disciples. That includes giving others an opportunity to become Chrisitans themselves, iow, evangelism.
It isn’t rather a question of being stylish, but really a question of obedience.
>>Millennials are the only generation among whom evangelism is significantly on the rise. Their faith-sharing practices have escalated from 56% in 2010 to 65% in 2013.<<
Reading the article Barna misses a critical point. They begin with the traditional open air evangelism in busy city streets and in local parks. Yes we should still be doing this. What they miss with the younger generation is they know where most people gather and socialize today. Yep places like here, Facebook and many others. So ask a 20 something if they evangelize daily they will say yes. Barna did not ask where. The where I believe is on the 21st century four corners...the web.
My niece has quite a Facebook page in which if one were invited to you would know she is a born again Christian. She has discussions on her site with friends, family and coworkers.
I have two friends who run Christian evidence ministries on line where they invite skeptics to pose questions.
The apostles, used the vast sea lanes and road networks Rome built to bring the Gospel. Evangelists in modern times on expanded networks worldwide and on the street corners and market place which teemed with people in the recent past. Today we must make use also of the vast on line sources where 21st century people “gather.” But still get out in the Vitamin D atmosphere. Go out to the ends of the earth!
“Indeed ..You are either a trophy of Gods grace or the object of His wrath ... “
I totally agree, but that jumped out and grabbed me! “It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God”!
Sometimes you are right to wonder.
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