Despite a deep concern for co-workers, neighbors, and the nation, most churchgoers feel frozen—unable to engage in spiritual conversations.
Olivia Eanes, a soft-spoken, Southern woman, held her faith quietly to herself, as many evangelicals do. Thoughtfully and intentionally, she showed her love for God by devoting herself to Scripture. Conversations about faith happened in church settings like Bible Studies or Sunday School. In her mind, telling someone how to become a Christian meant following a memorized gospel presentation. Much like a salesman hounding uninterested passersby, an evangelist would capture people into conversations they couldn’t escape.
Many Christians find themselves stuck when they think about sharing the gospel. Most churchgoers in America pray for opportunities to tell others about Jesus, but few see their prayers answered. According to a 2019 Discipleship Pathway Assessment from Lifeway Research, 56% of Protestant churchgoers pray at least once a week for opportunities to tell others about Jesus. Yet, 55% hadn’t shared with someone how to become a Christian even once over a six-month period.
How can this contradiction be explained?
Keep reading this article on Lifeway Research.