Exploring Evangelism MythsSample

Who do you think your non-Christian friend or family member would rather talk to about faith—your pastor or you?

Studies show your non-Christian friend or family member is FIVE TIMES more interested in having a spiritual conversation with you over your pastor. Whoa. You might need to re-read that statistic. 

You may think your pastor is smarter and more eloquent than you. You may believe they have answers to questions you haven’t yet thought through. Or maybe you don’t know how to have conversations about Jesus without it feeling awkward.

But catch this: it’s not up to you to save your friends and family. Take a deep breath. That’s right, inhale…exhale. You may feel overwhelming pressure on our shoulders to “make something happen” in your loved one’s life. But it’s God’s role to save. Your role is to simply show up, listen, and share what God has done in your own life.

One pastor in Chicago said: “Evangelism is simply saying: ‘I once didn’t follow God and now I do. This is what my life was like before I knew Jesus and now my life looks like this.’” It can be that simple. 

You can start a conversation with your friends and family by asking simple questions like:

- If there was a God, what would you want God to be like? Then, just listen. 

Or,

- Are you waiting for breakthrough in any area of your life right now? Again, listen. Then ask, “Is it ok with you if I take a moment right now to pray for that breakthrough?” If they’re comfortable with it, pray for them. If not, you now know something to pray for your loved one.

Evangelism isn’t supposed to be relegated to the pastors, extroverts and professional Christians. Why? Well, for starters it’s not biblical. The Bible is clear that we are all called to share the gospel and all of us—yes, you too—are equipped with the Holy Spirit. Secondly, relegating evangelism to a few select people simple isn’t effective. Your pastor doesn’t know your aunt or friend from college. They probably will never meet them. But your aunt and friend know you. And because they know you and you share memories and trust, a conversation about spiritual things isn’t just more likely, it’s more welcomed.