Tool #10: Evangelism Types

Churches have a range of options for sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with unchurched persons in their
community. Evangelistic approaches may be more explicitly verbal (proclaiming the truth of Christ) or more
implicitly modeled (demonstrating the truth of Christ).

Evangelism Nature of Nature of evangelistic activity Ministries fitting this

Type relationship with (Examples) type in your church
unchurched
persons Verbal (explicit) Modeled (implicit)

Network Natural relational share your testimony "lifestyle evangelism": live

Evangelism network (friends, with a colleague, in such a way that the
family, co- invite your aunt to people who know you will
workers, etc.) church, pray with a see you are different
neighbor

Contact Personal contact tract distribution, "kindness evangelism":

Evangelism for the purpose of street witnessing, giving out cold water at
evangelism with door-to-door visits fairs, free car wash at the
little or no prior church (witness mainly
relationship through actions)

Service Contact in context sermon at a soup "servant evangelism":

Evangelism of service kitchen, devotional at holiday food baskets,
program or youth basketball Habitat work project, park
community practice, prayer with a clean-up (witness mainly
development GED student through actions)

Sanctuary Contact in context evangelistic sermons, "seeker sensitive services":

Evangelism of regular church altar calls in worship regular church
activities services, gospel activities that draw people
presentation at a to God, e.g. exuberant
youth group worship

Special Contact via a evangelistic crusade, "pre-evangelism": church-

Event special event to open-air worship sponsored block party or
Evangelism which non- service, play or health fair (witness is
Christians are concert with a spiritual primarily through actions)
invited message

Media Contact via sharing the Gospel via church website with an
broadcast media television, radio, open invitation to attend
newspaper, mailings, church services and
or Internet activities

Prayer Prayer intercessory prayer on silent prayer-walking

behalf of non- through neighborhoods
Christians

Questions for reflection:

a) Which of these types of evangelism are more prevalent in your church? Why is that type emphasized?
b) Is your church more likely to adopt an explicit or implicit approach to sharing the Gospel? Why?
c) Which of these types would you want to see the church's community outreach grow to include?

Adapted from Ronald J. Sider, Philip N. Olson and Heidi Rolland Unruh, Churches That Make a Difference: Reaching Your Community
with Good News and Good Works (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2002), 69-70.