The current situation
A generation or two ago in America, in many communities virtually everyone attended some type of church, and those who did not were nevertheless familiar with the basics of Christianity and Christian worship services. Those days are gone.
Church attendance and other types of religious activity have waned. According to the Barna group, 45% of Americans have not attended a church service in the past six months, weddings and funerals excepted. And although 72% of Americans describe themselves as Christian, only 31% say they practice their faith. Another 42% are non-practicing Christians (can there really be such a thing?). And among churchgoers, 51% say they have not even heard of the Great Commission.
It is increasingly true that those outside the church have scant knowledge of the Christian faith. Many cannot identify the Ten Commandments, the books of the Bible, or other key fundamentals. Over half report a belief that “good works result in going to heaven.”
Clearly, contemporary America needs the Gospel. Yet, in Barna’s research, when people were asked whether they have a personal responsibility to tell other people about their religious beliefs 54% said they did not. This raises the question, “How is the modern American church going to reach the unchurched?”
This is certainly a question on the minds of many pastors and church boards. A wide variety of approaches and techniques have been suggested as ways to attract people to church ... and maybe even entice them to come back again. First-time visitors may be offered free books, DVDs, or coffee mugs. Many churches, in an effort to be more relevant to the general population, have abandoned traditional worship forms such as confessions and creeds, while embracing contemporary music and a casual setting. In some large churches, attendees get their coffee from the Starbucks in the lobby.
Churches across America are struggling to draw more people into church, and to hold them once they are there. Understandably, they are experimenting with all sorts of ideas, activities, programs, and attractions to expand their attendance. But despite the wide variety of techniques being applied, in most churches the responsibility for growing the church falls almost totally on one person -– the pastor (or pastors). The majority of church attendees are consumers of the church’s ministry rather than participants in the ministry.
Those who have attended church services regularly for years may not have ever seriously considered the question, “What is the main purpose of our church service?” Accustomed to a certain routine Sunday after Sunday, we grow comfortable with those around us and, although we make some effort to be friendly to visitors, if we are honest we rather like our church the way it is. We really don’t need a bunch of strangers joining the church and wanting to do things differently from the way we like to see them done.
So, back to the question of the purpose of a church service. There are at least three primary purposes of a weekly church service:
1. Worship – by this we mean worship in the fullest sense of the word, including all the ways believers show reverence and adoration to the almighty God during a service.
2. Equipping the saints – this includes all the activities that prepare believing members of the congregation to (a) live out their faith as God intends and (b) share their faith with others. More on this later.
3. Becoming a family – in ‘church speak’ we might say “building the body of Christ,” but that’s language the unchurched will likely not understand.
In the three elements above, notice the emphasis on believers. The regular worship service is primarily intended for believers. What we call a church service should be a time for believers to praise the God they believe in, learn how and commit to serving Him with their whole lives, learn how and commit to spreading the faith they share, and growing together as a family, i.e., increasing in love for one another.
There are certainly other types of services directed more toward the unchurched. Revival services are often wholly targeted toward unbelievers, and seeker services address those who have expressed an interest in learning about the faith. But the regular weekly service in intended primarily for believers.
If we accept the idea that Christian church services are for those who are already Christians, how do we explain things like:
- Sermons or other parts of the service where a brief explanation of the faith is offered as though the congregation does not know such basics?
- Altar calls or other invitations that invite those present to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior and make a profession of faith?
- Announcements that prayer teams and/or pastors are available to speak with those who want to pursue a possible relationship with God?
If church is for believers, then why do our services include these things? The answer may be uncomfortable for some. Simply put, someone has not been doing their job, and it is not the pastors of our churches.
Who, me? The Laity and Evangelism
A major reason so many pastors feel compelled to formulate their church services, sermons, and other church activities with the unchurched in mind is that they bear the bulk of the burden for church growth. Higher church attendance is not the sole measurement of church success. Nevertheless, if attendance increases we tend to praise the pastor, and if it declines we are ready to credit him/her for the failure to attract more people to our church.
Although the efficacy of the preaching in a church contributes significantly to a church’s health, this does not excuse the laity from their responsibility to play a major role in growing the church. Too many times we have unfairly placed the responsibility for leading people to Christ on the shoulders of our pastors.
Scripture commands (it does not suggest) that all believers fulfill their obligation to share the good news of the Christian faith. Our failure to do so has, on a massive scale, stunted the growth of God’s church. This accusation, of course, does not apply universally to every church member, but it is sadly appropriate for many.
Following are five groups of Bible verses that address the role of the laity in church evangelism. The first three sections describe actions that are incumbent on all believers. The fourth addresses the hesitance to evangelize, and the fifth speaks to the church as a body of believers. Scripture quotes are from the NIV unless otherwise noted.
I. All Christians are to strive to live exemplary lives as a witness to others.
Although Scripture sets the bar incredibly high, it also promises that through the power of the Holy Spirit we can fulfill the instructions found in these verses. God does not tell us to do what he knows we can’t; he only tells us to do what we know we can’t do on our own. These verses graphically illustrate the standard Christ has set for us, which if met will certainly pique others’ curiosity enough to open a door to spiritual conversation.
Matt 5:16 ... let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
II Cor 5:11 Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience.
I Cor 9:23 When I am with those whose consciences bother them easily, I don’t act as though I know it all and don’t say they are foolish; the result is that they are willing to let me help them. Yes, whatever a person is like, I try to find common ground with him so that he will let me tell him about Christ and let Christ save him. [The Living Bible]
Col 2:6-7 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
I Pet 2:12 Live such good lives among the pagans [ESV: Gentiles] that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us [TLB: when Christ returns].
II. All Christians are to “go” –- to go beyond their local church, beyond their comfort zone, and beyond themselves in order to reach out to people wherever they may be.
At first glance, we may want to excuse ourselves by pointing out that Jesus gave special healing powers and perhaps other abilities to the original apostles. But, the verses below are not limited to the twelve. And we are not exempt from his command to go.
Matt 28:19-20aTherefore go and make disciples of [teach] all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.
Mark 1:17 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for [CEV: How to bring in] people.”
Luke 9:1-2, 6 When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. .... So they set out and went from village to village, proclaiming the good news [RSV: preaching the Gospel] and healing people everywhere.
Luke 10:1 After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go
John 17:18 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them [AMP: believers] into the world.
Acts 8:40 Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea.
Acts 13”47 For this is what the Lord has commanded us: “‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles [ERV: the other nations], that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’
Acts 18:7-8 Then Paul left the synagogue and went next door to the house of Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. Crispus, the synagogue leader, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard Paul believed and were baptized.
II Cor 5: 20a We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors [ERV: we have been sent to speak for Christ], as though God were making his appeal through us.
III. We are called to speak the truth in love to a hurting and broken world that desperately needs the good news of the Gospel.
If we are honest, we will likely admit (at least to ourselves) that we are often reticent to share our faith. Why is this? Do we really believe what we say we believe? If so, do we really care that many in our community do not know Christ? Do we take seriously the eternal destiny of those who do not yet believe? We are not advised to remain silent or to be timid about our faith. We are commanded to speak.
Psalm 51:15 Open my lips, Lord, and my mouth will declare your praise.
Acts 4:20 As for us [Peter & John], we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.
Acts 4:33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus.
Acts 5:42 Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.
Acts 8:3-4 But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison. Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.
Acts 8:25 After they had further proclaimed the word of the Lord and testified about Jesus, Peter and John returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many Samaritan villages.
Acts 16:13 On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there.
Acts 19:9b-10 He [Paul] took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord.
Acts 28:30-31 For two whole years Paul stayed there [Rome] in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance!
Romans 10:14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? [ERV: But before people can pray to the Lord for help, they must believe in him. And before they can believe in the Lord, they must hear about him. And for anyone to hear about the Lord, someone must tell them.]
II Tim 4:2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage —with great patience and careful instruction. [NLV: Preach the Word of God. Preach it when it is easy and people want to listen and when it is hard and people do not want to listen. Preach it all the time. Use the Word of God to show people they are wrong. Use the Word of God to help them do right. You must be willing to wait for people to understand what you teach as you teach them.].
I Pet 3:15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
I Pet 4:10-11 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God.
IV. When we consider the magnificence of what God has done for us, the eternal value of his offer of free salvation, and his promises regarding evangelism, we cannot find a valid excuse to resist the call to share the Gospel.
It is incredibly easy to think of a reason not to share the good news, including our own life stories, with those around us. Now is not the right time. I’m not well-versed enough in the Bible. They might have questions I can’t answer. Maybe they don’t want to talk about religion. What if I say the wrong thing? I’m just not cut out for evangelism. If I miss one opportunity to share my faith, is it really that big a deal? What if I embarrass myself?
None of our self-protecting reasons can outweigh the commands of Scripture. We must remember we are not responsible for how others respond to the Gospel, but we are responsible to obey the command to share it.
Luke 12:8 “I tell you, whoever publicly acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God.
Luke 15:7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.
Acts 4:4 But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew to about five thousand.
Luke 12:11-12 “When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.”
Acts 4:13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.
Acts 6:10 But they could not stand up against [NKJV: resist] the wisdom the Spirit gave him [Stephen] as he spoke.
Acts 10:44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message.
Acts 17:32-34 When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, “We want to hear you again on this subject. At that, Paul left the Council. Some of the people became followers of Paul and believed.
Acts 20:24 However, I [Paul] consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.
Acts 28:23-24 [“they” = Roman Jewish leaders] They arranged to meet Paul on a certain day, and came in even larger numbers to the place where he was staying. He witnessed to them from morning till evening, explaining about the kingdom of God, and from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets he tried to persuade them about Jesus. Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe.
Romans 1:16a For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.
I Cor 1:17 For Christ did not send me to baptize [Phillips: to see how many I could baptize], but to preach the gospel—not with wisdom and eloquence [NASB: not in cleverness of speech], lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power [CSB: its effect].
I Cor 2:4-5 My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words [Phillips: brilliance of speech or intellect], but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.
II Cor 5:14 For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.
II Cor 3:12 Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold [CEB: we act with great confidence].
Eph 2:10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
II Tim 1:7-8a For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid [TLB: afraid of people], but gives us power, love and self-discipline. So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord [ERV: to tell people about our Lord Jesus]
II Tim 3:16-17 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
James 5:20 remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins [ERV: save that person from eternal death and cause many sins to be forgiven].
I Pet 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
I John 2:20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth [ESV: you all have knowledge].
I John 5:2 This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands.
V. In order for the laity to carry out their obligation to share the Gospel, the gatherings of believers (“going to church”) must provide opportunities for the prayer, teaching, and fellowship necessary to equip them as effective witnesses.
This does not mean that our church services must exclude the Gospel message at a level the unchurched might understand. It does mean that redirecting the primary responsibility for evangelism toward the laity enables the pastor(s) to focus his/her efforts on teaching and building up the church (the body of believers) so they are capable of effectively fulfilling their role in sharing the good news of the Gospel.
To many lay people, this may be a new and uncomfortable role, primarily because we have in many churches fallen so far short in this area. However, if the early church was effective doing the things they did (which does not imply the modern church must follow their example in all respects) we ought to at least consider why it worked for them and whether it might work for us.
Of course, even if the laity assumes its rightful role, the pastor(s) is still left with the challenge of teaching and encouraging all of the saints -- from the new believer with no church background to the mature believer with a good deal of Biblical knowledge. But this “equipping the saints” is a vital part of the pastor’s role; the goal is a cadre of mature believers who effectively witness to the unchurched and mentor newer believers.
Acts 2:42, 45-47 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. .... 45They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Acts 4:31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.
Acts 14:21-22a They preached the gospel in that city and won a large number of disciples [ERV: many people became followers of Jesus]. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith.
Acts 15:41 He [Paul] went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
Romans 1:11-12 I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong— that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.
I Cor 14:12 So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up [CEV: will be most helpful to] the church.
I Cor 14:26 What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up.
Eph 4:11-13 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists [CJB: proclaimers of the good news], the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
Col 1:28 He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ.
Col 3:16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish [CJB: counsel] one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.
I Thes 3:2 We sent Timothy, who is our brother and co-worker in God’s service in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith,
Heb 10:24-25 And let us consider how we may spur [NASB: stimulate] one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
“Real World” Lay Evangelism
Based on the above, a local church fully equipped for lay evangelism might apply its members’ capabilities in a sequence similar to the following:
1. Believers meet together regularly (“go to church”) primarily for the three purposes described at the start of this article. The primary (not exclusive) focus of the pastor(s) is the teaching, counseling, and encouragement of the members.
2. The laity is equipped for effective evangelism through a combination of #1, above, and personal and/or small group prayer and Bible study.
3. Lay people preach “invisible sermons” through their daily lives, interacting in distinctly Christian ways with their fellow believers, families, friends, neighbors, fellow students, co-workers, etc. Relationships formed are real and natural; nonbelievers are never viewed as “projects” or “targets” for evangelism.
4. Through healthy relationships over time (sorry, it usually takes time) lay people who are sensitive to the needs and personalities of others find opportunities to share their personal testimonies, and introduce them to Christ. They then help new believers lay (no pun intended) the foundation of their faith through:
- One-on-one conversations
- One-on-one or small group Bibles studies/prayer groups
- Introduction to “church” as a gathering of fellow believers, including early on inviting them to serve in some capacity in the local church
- Mentoring the new believers for as long as appropriate for the individual(s)
- The pastor supports this process (beyond equipping his congregation for this type of evangelism) by
- Handling questions/challenges the lay evangelist may be unable to answer
- Sharing his/her beliefs and vision for the local church
- Accepting the challenge of providing or identifying members of the congregation who can provide the teaching, counseling and encouragement that will help the new believer grow spiritually.
- If the local church does not appear to be a good fit for the new believer, using his/her contacts with other pastors to recommend a local church that may better suit the person(s) involved.
5. As new believers are added to the congregation, over time they develop the knowledge and commitment needed to effectively witness to others, and the organic growth of the congregation continues.
Conclusion
The above is not a panacea, it is not an easy thing to carry out, and it takes time. Even if people of the local church are equipped and fully committed to effectively share the Gospel, may they reasonably expect a result like that experienced in the first century by the apostle Peter?
Acts 1:38-41 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
It is safe to say that any one of us witnessing to those around us is unlikely to claim “three thousand were added to their number that day.” But if each of us shares the Gospel at each opportunity, who is to say what the total outcome will be? And if the number added is more or less than three thousand, is not each person worth the effort? Remember, “... you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” I Pet. 2:9
