Week 2: Reviving What Matters – Why Evangelism Still Works in a Distracted World
In an age of streaming sermons, viral TikTok testimonies, and AI-generated devotionals, it might seem like evangelism has never had more reach. And yet, according to recent research, evangelism in the local church is on life support.
Carey Nieuwhof’s 2025 Church Trends report reveals a sobering statistic: only 1% of pastors believe their church is very effective at reaching unchurched people. That’s not a typo—99% of churches aren’t seeing much fruit when it comes to introducing people to Jesus.
Even churches on national “fastest-growing” lists are often growing through transfer growth—not conversion growth. People are switching churches, not finding faith. And in some denominations, nearly half of churches report zero baptisms in a full calendar year.
Let’s pause and let that sink in: a growing number of churches in America are not leading a single person to Christ each year.
For Small Churches, This Can Feel Defeating
If you’re leading a small church, these trends can sound like a death sentence. You might wonder:
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Are we doing something wrong?
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Do we need a bigger building or better branding?
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How do we share the gospel without a staff or budget?
Here’s the truth we need to remind ourselves: God is not surprised, and He’s not discouraged.
Evangelism may be on life support in culture, but not in the Kingdom. God is still in the business of saving souls. His power hasn’t lessened, and His mission hasn’t changed. We are still invited to partner with Him—not through performance, but through obedience.
A Biblical Lens: Evangelism Has Always Faced Resistance
Evangelism has never been “easy.” Even in the book of Acts, the spread of the gospel came with beatings, imprisonments, rejection, and opposition. And yet:
“Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news...” – Acts 5:42
What kept them going wasn’t convenience or strategy. It was conviction. They had been with Jesus. They had been changed. And they couldn’t stay silent.
When the church becomes silent, stagnant, or focused only inward, we forget our roots. The church is not a club for the already-convinced. It is a mission outpost for the spiritually lost.
Why Evangelism Feels Hard Today
There are a few reasons evangelism is struggling today—especially in smaller churches:
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Fear of Offending People: In a hyper-sensitive culture, we worry about pushing people away. But the gospel is already offensive—it calls people to die to self and follow Christ. That’s never been popular.
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Busyness of Life and Ministry: Many pastors are wearing ten hats. It’s easier to focus on Sunday prep, facility issues, or keeping the flock together than to risk inviting strangers into the fold.
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Lack of Confidence or Clarity: Many churchgoers and even pastors have never been trained in how to share the gospel clearly and simply. We make it harder than it needs to be.
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Shift Toward Discipleship over Evangelism: While deep discipleship is essential, it's incomplete without outreach. The two must go hand in hand. If we’re only discipling the already-saved, we’ve created a closed circuit.
Good News: Evangelism Still Works
Here’s what you need to know: evangelism still works.
People are more spiritually curious than they appear. According to Barna, 68% of Gen Z say they are open to spiritual conversations—even if they’re not attending church.
Your neighbors, your barista, the single dad who walks by your church each day—they’re asking life’s biggest questions: Who am I? Why am I here? Is there more?
The answer is yes. And you know the One who holds it.
How Small Churches Can Lead the Way
Small churches may not have big budgets—but they can have bold obedience. In fact, the very size of your church may make it more effective in relational evangelism.
Here are four practical and powerful ways your church can revive evangelism without adding programs or pressure:
1. Create a Culture of Invitation
Teach your people to invite others—consistently and prayerfully. It could be to a service, a potluck, a small group, or just coffee. Encourage stories from the pulpit of members inviting friends or coworkers. Model it yourself.
Even the Samaritan woman at the well didn’t know much theology, but she said:
“Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did.” – John 4:29
She simply invited others to meet Jesus.
2. Equip Your People with a 3-Minute Testimony
Host a simple workshop or one-on-one sessions where members can craft and share their personal “before-and-after” stories:
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What was your life like before Christ?
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What happened when you met Him?
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How is your life different now?
Practice makes it easier. And real stories open real hearts.
3. Make Your Services Friendly to the Unchurched
You don’t have to “water down” the gospel. But you can create moments where a visitor feels seen and safe.
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Explain why you take communion.
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Define churchy words like “sanctification” or “repentance.”
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Offer a moment for people to respond to the gospel every few weeks.
Don’t assume everyone present knows Jesus. Make space for them.
4. Start a Prayer List of Lost People
Challenge your congregation to write down the names of five people they’re praying will come to Christ. Pray over those names weekly as a church.
Evangelism begins in the heart—and often starts in the prayer closet.
A Word of Encouragement to Pastors
Pastor, it’s not your job to save anyone. That weight is too heavy—and it doesn’t belong to you. It’s the Holy Spirit who convicts, draws, and regenerates.
Your job is to remain faithful to the message and to the mission.
“How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” – Romans 10:15
If you’ve grown weary or disillusioned, take heart. You may feel like nothing is happening, but spiritual seeds often grow underground before they break the surface. Don’t stop scattering them.
Stories Matter More Than Stats
The world looks at numbers—but heaven rejoices over one soul.
Don’t be discouraged if your church hasn’t baptized 30 people this year. Celebrate the one who finally walked in the door. Share the story of the prodigal returning. Heaven throws a party over each one—and so should we.
“There is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” – Luke 15:10
Final Thoughts: Be Bold and Simple
The gospel has power. It doesn’t need to be dressed up or sold. It just needs to be shared.
So be bold. Be simple. Be consistent.
Whether you're preaching from a stage or having coffee with a neighbor, the light of Christ in you is exactly what this world needs.
And who knows? The next great evangelist in your town may be sitting in the back row of your church this Sunday—just waiting for someone to share the gospel with them.
We are here for you, Pastor! As your partner in ministry, we want to:
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