The New Testament compels God’s people to take the gospel out into the world. Jesus gave his disciples a standing order to go and make disciples (Matt. 28:19). He told them that they would become fishers of men (Matt. 4:19). Peter advised the churches of Asia Minor to be ready with an answer when people asked them about their hope (1 Pet. 3:15).
But it seems like something has gone wrong. Many Christians do not live like fishers of men. Not many people ask us about the hope that we have in Christ, and when they do we’re not really ready to give an answer. Evangelical churches talk a lot about evangelism, but according to popular surveys and anecdotal impressions most church members don’t share their faith very often.
Why Don’t We Evangelize?
I’d like to suggest five reasons that churches and church members don’t share the gospel as part of their normal course of life. Other articles in this issue of Church Matters suggest ways to remedy this situation, but for now let’s stick with diagnosing the problem.
1. Churches Isolate Christians from Unbelievers To continue...read the full-length post originally published on this site.
