Let’s be real—evangelism can be intimidating. For many of us, just the thought of sharing our faith brings up images of awkward conversations, knocking on doors, or handing out pamphlets to people who couldn’t care less. But here’s the truth: evangelism isn’t just for a few bold people who love street preaching. It’s for all of us, and it doesn’t have to be awkward or forced. Creating a culture of evangelism in your church is about making it part of the DNA—so natural that everyone feels empowered to share their faith in a way that’s real, relational, and impactful. Here’s how we can make that happen
1. Set the Tone from the Top (Yes, We’re Looking at You, Pastor)
If you want evangelism to permeate your church culture, it starts with leadership. Your congregation will emulate your actions more than your words. If they don’t see you actively sharing your faith, chances are they won’t either.
Get Real
Share personal anecdotes about your experiences in evangelism—both the successes and the challenges. The more you demonstrate that sharing faith isn’t about having all the answers, but simply conveying what Christ has done in your life, the more approachable it becomes for others.
Empower Your Flock
Don’t just encourage people to evangelize—show them the ropes. Provide practical training on initiating faith conversations and what to say when opportunities arise. Keep it straightforward and take the pressure off.
2. Emphasize Its Importance from the Pulpit (Because It Truly Matters)
Let’s be frank: people prioritize what they hear about regularly. If evangelism only surfaces in a sermon series once in a blue moon, it won’t feel significant. But if you make it a recurring theme, it becomes ingrained in the culture.
Ground It in Scripture
Return to the fundamentals of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) and Jesus’ teachings on disciple-making. Help your congregation understand that sharing the gospel isn’t an optional extra for the super-spiritual—it’s a calling for every believer.
Highlight the Journey
When someone takes a step in sharing their faith, even if it doesn’t result in an immediate conversion, celebrate the effort! Share stories of conversations, acts of kindness, or leaps of faith people have taken. This kind of recognition creates a positive ripple effect, inspiring others to join.
3. Create a Welcoming Environment for Newcomers
If you’re serious about evangelism, your church must be ready for the people it attracts. If visitors feel like outsiders because they’re unfamiliar with “church speak” or don’t fit the typical demographic, they’re unlikely to return. Strive to make your church a place where everyone feels at home, regardless of their background.
Equip Your Welcome Team
Ensure that your greeters and hospitality volunteers are warm, welcoming, and genuinely interested in people. A friendly smile and “How are you?” go a long way, but having someone who truly listens and helps newcomers feel they belong is invaluable.
Bridge the Language Gap
Avoid insider terminology that only seasoned Christians understand. When you use terms like “sanctification,” break them down into everyday language. Ensure your church feels inclusive, not like an exclusive club.
4. Reimagine Small Groups
Don’t get me wrong, I value in-depth Bible studies. But if your small groups never venture beyond discussing Sunday’s sermon or the four walls of someone’s living room, you’re missing out on a huge opportunity.
Transform Groups into Outreach Teams
What if your small groups organized community service projects together, or hosted neighborhood gatherings just to connect with others in your area? Suddenly, sharing the gospel becomes a team effort rather than a solo mission.
Make Accountability Engaging
Instead of asking, “Did you share your faith this week?” try “What meaningful conversations did you have recently?” This approach focuses on celebrating everyday moments when faith naturally enters the conversation, rather than inducing guilt.
5. Equip Your Congregation with Effective Tools
It’s challenging to share your faith if you feel ill-prepared. Many people remain silent not due to indifference, but fear of making mistakes or being rejected. Provide your congregation with practical resources.
Keep It Accessible
Arm people with tools that demystify evangelism. Consider creating cheat sheets with conversation starters, short videos on explaining the gospel concisely, or recommended books that address common questions.
Embrace Digital Platforms
In our digital age, some individuals feel more comfortable sharing their faith online than in person. Help them leverage social media, blogs, or even text messaging as evangelism tools. It’s not “less spiritual” just because it happens in the digital realm.
6. Prioritize Prayer (Because It’s Essential)
If you want to see lives transformed by Jesus, we must be committed to prayer. Evangelism is spiritual work, and while God invites us to partner with Him, He’s the one who changes hearts.
Mobilize Corporate Prayer
Host prayer gatherings specifically focused on those who don’t know Christ. Encourage people to submit names of friends and family who need Jesus, and pray for them by name. Watch what unfolds when people start expecting God to move.
Encourage Daily Prayer
Motivate your congregation to pray for God to create opportunities in their everyday lives—at work, at the gym, or wherever they find themselves. When you pray for open doors, you start to notice them everywhere.
7. Recognize Progress—Big and Small
Sometimes we get so focused on baptisms or altar calls that we overlook the smaller steps along the way. Not every “win” in evangelism is someone committing their life to Jesus on the spot.
Share the Journey
Did someone pray with a friend for the first time? Celebrate it. Did a teenager invite a classmate to youth group? Highlight that story. Don’t make evangelism solely about “sealing the deal.” It’s about the entire journey.
Create Spaces for Testimonies
Provide opportunities for people to share how God used them during services or events. When the church hears real-life stories of faith in action, it ignites passion in everyone else.
8. Address the Challenges Honestly
Let’s not sugarcoat it—evangelism isn’t always smooth sailing. Sometimes people will reject the message, or conversations will feel stilted. That’s okay. We need to acknowledge these struggles so people don’t feel like failures when things don’t go perfectly.
Discuss the Awkward Moments
Share stories of times when evangelism didn’t go as planned. It helps people realize they’re not alone in their struggles.
Foster Resilience
Remind your church that success isn’t measured by outcomes; it’s about faithfulness. Even if someone doesn’t respond as we hoped, we can trust that God is working behind the scenes.
9. Collaborate with Other Churches and Organizations
Sometimes we get so focused on our own church that we forget there are other believers out there with the same mission. What if we joined forces with other churches or local ministries for outreach events? Think of the impact we could make together.
Unite for a Cause
Partner for community service days, outreach events, or even city-wide prayer initiatives. There’s strength in numbers, and it demonstrates to the community that the church is bigger than any single building or denomination.
Share Resources
Exchange training materials, swap guest speakers, or collaborate on evangelism efforts. It’s not about competition; it’s about advancing the Kingdom.
Final Thoughts:
Fostering an evangelistic culture is about making it part of your church’s identity. It’s not just about the programs you run or the strategies you implement; it’s about allowing the love of Jesus to flow naturally from our lives in a way that’s authentic, relational, and impactful. Let’s build churches where sharing the gospel is simply part of who we are—because we’re so convinced of the hope we have in Christ that we can’t help but share it with others.
So take that first step.
Share your story.
Listen intently.
Trust God to show up.
When the church gets passionate about sharing the good news, it will be contagious and build momentum for reaching more people and making disciples with the DNA of outreach and evangelism.
Need help getting started with outreach? Here are some ideas from our friends at Kindness Outreach: Getting Started Outreaches
