“Cold Evangelism”
June 18th, 2007
(By Jesse Johnson)
* Jesse teaches evangelism at The Master’s Seminary and is the local outreach pastor at Grace Community Church.
The practice of going out to evangelize people you meet at random is sometimes called “cold evangelism” (or “cold-turkey evangelism”), and it must be admitted that this is not a very inviting phrase. When most Christians think of this kind of evangelism, they think of obnoxious people, Jehovah’s Witnesses, or the sinner’s prayer. The idea of “cold evangelism” produces feelings of guilt, for not doing it, or of inadequacy, for not being able to do it well.
And I want to make a clear statement at the beginning of this post: not all Christians are called to do this kind of evangelism. Don’t misunderstand that. I am in favor of evangelism, and I know that some people get saved from cold evangelism. But I also note that while this form of evangelism may be seen in the New Testament, it is by no means normative. After all, not everyone is specially gifted as an evangelist (cf. Eph. 4:11), nor is every Christian equally passionate about (or effective at) going door-to-door, randomly stopping people in markets and plazas, or winning strangers on the subway.
For many if not all Christians the most effective form of evangelism is with people you already know and with whom you have established relationships. These are the people whom you love, and with whom you will be able to spend time carefully explaining the gospel. Think of your co-workers, your neighbors, your friends, and your family. These are your immediate mission field. Are you being faithful in proclaiming the gospel to them?
God has put all of us in the world. We all have relationships with people who are lost. We have an opportunity to live a transformed life in front of them, to minister to them, and to patiently explain the gospel to them.
All too often, we neglect the relationships that God’s providence has granted us. I am shocked at how many Christians do not even know their neighbors’ names, and they isolate themselves from their co-workers and their unsaved family. But, this is where effective evangelism begins.
Many people try to hide their cowardice when it comes to proclaiming the gospel to their friends and family with the mask of cold evangelism. While they have never proclaimed the gospel to their friends, they are faithful to hit the streets every Sunday afternoon. Here at Grace Church, we do have street evangelism ministries. But before someone can be a part of this ministry we inist that he or she is faithfully serving in the church, and has demonstrated evangelistic faithfulness in everyday life.
Christians should be active in evangelism. There is a place for coordinated outings for cold evangelism. A church’s evangelistic health can be seen in conversions and baptisms. But evangelism is a practice, not a program. It happens in your life, not on Friday nights at 7 pm.
When pastors develop this holistic view of evangelism, their people will mimic it. Friends, relatives, the mail-carrier, and the dentist will hear the gospel from someone whom they know — someone in whom they’ve seen the gospel lived out. This is the foundation for effective evangelism.
As an outreach pastor, I encourage people to evangelize those they know, and I want to give opportunities for those who are gifted at cold-evangelism. But, the most important thing I want to teach my people is that real evangelism is a lifestyle, not a one-time activity.
As an evangelism team leader here in Brisbane, Australia I have to echo a hearty AMEN! To this post. While I weekly am involved in ‘cold call evangelism’, I am also involved in witnessing in my day to day life, which is something every Christian needs to be doing, and it is something that those who do street evangelism need to realise.
One of the issues that I’ve seen come up with friends who do “cold” or “open air” evangelism — especially on missions trips to other countries — is that we start to play the numbers game. I have friends who frequently report that 24 people got saved on their open-air mission. My question is, “How do you know?” If Christians only see these people that they’re “cold evangelizing” on that day, how can we say that they’re Christians?
I think that if people do do the cold evanglism thing that it should always be followed up with subsequent meetings. After all, the commission is to make disciples, teaching them all Jesus commands, not just to boast a higher number of “converts” in your prayer letter.
I believe Mike makes a good point. How many continue to be productive disciples after conversion ? And how many are really converted ? And how many remain true to the demands of discipleship ?
Well spoken words. Praying for the lost is most important. Sharing the good news of Christ from a grateful heart is the power of God that saves souls.
Sometimes our own family will be the most difficult for sowing the seed. Even our Lord said He wasn’t accepted in His own family.
I have a lot of times I was a coward, and there have been times I have spoken the truth in love.
Sometimes I was hated, and other times simply disregarded as a religious “crazy”.
But over the last 24 years the Lord has been faithful, even when I haven’t been. There are so many good things He has done in my immediate family.
Thanks for the post. the Church needs to hear more teachings like this one.
The ‘cold’ approach to evangelism reminds so much of the altar calls that are man made emotional trips without the regeneration that can only be done by the Lord (John 6:44). I well remember the pressure to “accept” Jesus as my savior without the work of the Holy Spirit first. The result was I was just another pagan warming a pew until I was thirty-two years of age. Evangelism is a task that must be bathed in prayer, before, during and afterwards. We are called to “make” disciples which takes time. This making of a disciple takes work and it has to be more than just a one time encounter. It is still the Holy Spirit that must do the work in the heart of a lost soul and it is only the Word of God than can do this work.
I like the way that you include both the “cold” evangelistic methods as well as the relational methods. It seems that often churches will do one or the other. When relational methods are hot…that is all we do…when that doesn’t seem to “work” we go back to “cold” methods, and back and forth. Always searching for a method that will make evangelism “easy.”
I think ultimately the answer is in your final statement: “the most important thing I want to teach my people is that real evangelism is a lifestyle, not a one-time activity.”
I would highly recommend “The Way of the Master” series on evangelism. You can check them out on http://www.wayofthemaster.com or http://www.wayofthemasterradio.com. Phil Johnson out of Grace Community Church has also given this ministry a “Thumbs Up” as well as John MacArthur.
Jesse-
This is something that lies very near to my heart. I help teach a group of junior and senior high girls at my local church, and have often struggled with how to impart a greater burden on their souls for the lost. Not just with them, but with other fellow-believers as well. My own prayers are saturated with requests, for God to keep ME ever-aware of the reality of the Christian gospel, and to forgive my own lukewarmness and fears.
I understand that the Holy Spirit gives a greater measure of this gift to some, but I long to see them (the girls, my friends, myself) possess an even greater passion for the gospel of Christ, and for this to move them in a powerful way to share these truths with their family, friends, coworkers and neighbors.
Whether one has the gift of evangelism or not, all of us who have been saved by the grace of God, should be moved with great fervor; allowing the Spirit of God to speak through us-in word and deed; towards friend or enemey, family or stranger.
This was great. Thank you. I hope you have the opportunity to share more of your insight in this area!
Great points…I wish every pastor had the opportunity to read this short and to-the-point article. I have led an evangelism program and know who quickly it can become a substitute for everyday evangelism. If we’re all honest, we’d admit that sometimes it’s easier talking to a stranger about the gospel than our own family members – especially close ones. If every Christian in every church took everyday evangelism seriously, we might not need “cold” evangelism. However, that’s not the case, and there are some reasons we still need the “door-to-door” program:
1. Most Christians in churches aren’t sharing the gospel with their neigbors. Therefore, the few that are involved in evangelism are actually witnessing to a guy who is neighbors with one of your one church members! Go figure.
2. There are many lonely people out there that honestly would never hear the gospel if someone didn’t come to their door.
3. The countless testimonies of people who were saved thanks to a weekly outreach program.
4. The methodology is seen in the Bible: Acts 8:1-8 (everyone was taking part in the preaching), and of course the prophets that preached in the streets.
5. The Mormons and JWs do not need to have a monopoly on this business! It has been said that if Christians were as fervent in evangelism as they should be, one day a JW will knock on a door and someone would mistake them for a Bible-believing Christian, rather than the other way around. (In one ministry in which I was involved, our outreach became so effective that the local Kingdom Hall brought in scores of workers from Texas just to combat our efforts)
6. A consistend outreach program gives a local church a good idea of the needs of the community.
7. Having a program gives laymen an opporunity to be plugged in, and gain experience that they can put into practice in everyday life.
Of course, the best case scenario is to have a church full of dedicated Christians who participate in a regular outreach program and regularly share the gospel on an everyday basis. That seems to be the way it was in the New Testament – may God bring that kind of attitude back to our churches!
“…before someone can be a part of this ministry we insist that he or she is faithfully serving in the church, and has demonstrated evangelistic faithfulness in everyday life.”
–Right on! Mike makes a strong point of follow-up! YES, YES, YES.
–Too many people go out and talk gospel but their heart is either cold or naive. How in the world could one go out and share the saving message of Christ and not be concerned with discipleship? Would a parent have a child and then forget it?
–I’ve not heard someone call those in the church to get their act together and actually reach out to their neighbors in some time.
–Christians should and must be relational leaders. I endorse having a neighborhood BBQ and NOT sharing Christ, but just reaching out and serving. Neighbors will know the character of those who call themselves Christians. If they don’t see a servant’s heart, their talk will be meaningless. Reaching out to those closest to us is hard because we can’t hide. It’s easy to share the gospel to our “neighbor” on a flight cross country…but to those who lives next door?
–So much needs to said on this subject. This is truly where it’s at imo…if we as believers were faithful in our personal spheres of influence the world might be changed.
Jesse,
“… evangelism is a practice, not a program. It happens in your life, not on Friday nights at 7 pm. …. real evangelism is a lifestyle, not a one-time activity.”
I think that I have soap-boxed on the perils of “event-oriented evangelism” for at least as many years as I have been in full-time ministry; which is to say that I am very sympathetic with the spirit of the post. But, having served as an elder for a whopping nine years now, I will confess that my sympathies for evangelistic programs, evangelistic activities, and Friday night open-air services have grown. If not for their “effectiveness” in terms of conversions (a standard with which I think we might BOTH take issue), then for the opportunity with which these “events” provide us for modeling to the less mature what “good” evangelism looks like (in terms of things you DON’T see) AND sounds like (in terms of things you DO and DON’T hear).
While I do believe that the most God-honoring evangelism is that which results from biblical worship (and thus is probably best considered a by-product of genuine spiritual life), as a pastor my appreciation for the “evangelistic program” (or “event”) has grown. I see these things as tools. Something like a Sunday School curriculum — a means to an end.
I think our goal, as pastors, is to make sure that in our zeal to reach the “ends” (by implementing “means” and “events”), God’s people do not mistake the 30-year AWANA program with God-honoring evangelism. Not that the two are inherently mutually exclusive, but they CAN be! As anyone who has been an AWANA Commander of a “successful” AWANA Ministry will tell you, sometimes its like pullin’ teeth to get someone to take Cubbies! Yet, we don’t dare pull the plug on AWANA!!
I think that the more our members are attached to a particular program, the greater the likelihood that the lines are beginning to blur between “means” and “end”. The up-shot of this is that “involvement” in evangelism begins to take place by proxy. “We evangelize at our church” doesn’t mean “I evangelize” but that “people at our church evangelize.”
We want to avoid this. And avoiding this MAY just take pullin’ the plug on a beloved program!
So then, while I am sympathetic to the gist of your post, I still wonder whether it could not be a matter of “Both/And”, rather than “Either/Or”?
Walter Heaton
walter,
thanks for your thoughtful comment. as a leaky dipensationalist, I obviously agree with the both-and concept. & healthy church has prevalent evangelism. thanks,
Jesse
Dear Jesse,
Your article is right on the mark. Coming from an Ex-Mormon I can hoestly say that the TRUE CHURCH for many years than one can count has been laging in regards to obedience in the area of evangelism.
Growing up in the Mormon church we did not have the option to evangelize or not – it is required of everyone. In fact, everyone must take on-going classes to learn evangelism and to be accountable. Also, everyone who is baptized in the Mormon church must serve as a missionary for at least 2 years and be self supported while on the mission field.
It has always amazed me that in the Christian Church where we have the true gospel we have to try to encourage people to do what we should come natural out of a real love for Jesus Christ and the gospel of grace.
I do know that in other parts of the world where there is a high cost to be payed for your faith in Jesus Christ evangelism comes much easier. People in those parts of the world know that if you have come to saving faith in Christ than it had better be real because soon your faith will be put to the test and only those who have genuinely been saved will shine brightly.
Here in the USA Christianity has become so watered down and so much like the surrounding world we live in that there remains no real cost for ones faith and thus no real impact. Maybe the best thing that could happen to the church today that would spur people on to action would be some good old persecution.
Thanks again Jesse for your uncompromising love for Jesus Christ and for the lost.
God Bless
Patrick
Jesse,
I appreciate the thoughts. I have been thinking through the discipline of evangelism lately (since I have been reading Don Whitney’s book, Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian life). I agree that evangelism is a practice/discipline. All Christians everywhere are called to not only live in a way that is conforming more and more into the image of Christ, but also we are to evangelize those who are dead in their trespasses and sins.
Since “cold evangelism” (may be better termed confrontational evangelism) is can cause a great deal of anxiety for many Christians. I would personally recommend “Christianity Explained” to help overcome this anxiety. This material is one of the best tools to help Christians who have evangelistic zeal, but often do not know where to begin with their friends or family. This is a series of six talks based on the gospel of Mark,that are presented in a way that is not “confrontational”, but is meant to provide an unbeliever with an understanding of the truths of Christianity. This tool is not available in the U.S., unless you are a member of Capital Hill Baptist in D.C., but anyone can order the leader guide online from http://www.christianityexplained.com/.
P.S. We have not spoken in a while so call or email me.
I greatly appreciated your perspective. We are part of new body in Wichita, Kansas, seeking to see the Lord built a multi-ethnic church. We have some street evangelists in our in church, and we are glad to have them. We have a number of folks who seek to faithfully witness to friends, coworkers, and family. We are working to continue reaching out to those God brings through our lives.
The Lord Himself chose to use the analogy of fishing for evangelism (Matthew 4). We should encourage people to fish in the way that most enjoy and feel led to fish. We can put as many lines in the water in as many place and in as many ways as possible. Rather than fixating on the type of lures or poles or lines we’re using, we should rejoice that others are being encouraged to fish.
Using another of the Lord’s analogies, we should spread as much seed as we can (Matthew 13). God must bring forth the fruit. We succeed and honor God when we faithfully spread the seed.
The only ways to err is to tamper with the message or to bring fleshly pressure to convert to Christ. Sadly, some proponents of some church-growth strategies in the last decades have done exactly that.
Thank you for your relevant, Bible-based insights!
My pastor tipped me off to this link. I lead small teams out of our church to witness, offer prayer, invite to come worship… Our church in KC is sort of a plant, so it was a very practical tool to inform the neighborhood we were there, and meet people with the hopes of a divine encounter.
Another benefit of this has been the growth of personal evangelism in our existing members in their own sphere of influence. Personally whenever I go out for a “structured” time of evangelism it seems to enbolden my witness more when I am at work, or with neighbors. I’ve always been convicted by Paul’s admonition to Timothy in 2 Tim 2:1 to be strong in God’s grace when he refers back to the message of grace in chapter 1. It’s something I’ve determined I can be weak in too, so this has helped me exercise those spiritual muscles.
Jesse,
I appreciate your article and heart on this subject. I love to do one-to-one evangelism myself, but definitely feel burdened to equip my church body to reach their sphere of influence around them, ie friends, family, coworkers, strangers where they regularly have coffee, go shopping etc.
Our awesome God provides divine appointments every day for us to initiate in conversation. Imagine if we all actively shared the gospel within our reach, how much that would impact our cities and culture.
Let the revolution continue…
I really enjoyed the evangelism articles! I have been struggling with my church’s situation and am looking for some advise on how to “evangelize” church members/ attenders who are taught they are Christians because they prayed the prayer. (Our church started out better than this, but quit believing their own strong doctrinal statement after allowing the influence of psychology to raise doubts about the sufficiency of scripture. -We keep going here because the other churches in the area are worse.)
I will hear of someone in our church struggling with a physical or emotional problem and want to tell them what verses to read, what to meditate on and the enormous impact prayer can have on their lives. But is this the best thing I should be telling them? Will this advise help the person who is probably not a Christian, but thinks they are because they prayed a prayer? Thanks for the suggestions.
November 10, 2007
Greetings to all.
Over and over we hear how we are to follow Paul as he follows Christ. Paul was on fire for the Lord Jesus. So much so, he endured many persecutions physically, along
with all the other afflictions that he received resulting from sharing his faith and being a follower of our Lord. Jesus suffered for the joy that was set before Him enduring the cross for righteousness. Even with being peaceful it is going to bring opposition. The word is going to divide. It’s been said if one is truly saved how can one not share his or her testimony about what the Lord has done in their life? In my readings it seems as though that most converts are always giving praise or glory to God and telling of Him
We are called to be witnesses for our Lord no practice needed. Go and He will be with you even until the end.
Matthew 10:27-33 should be most encouraging to any believer. Take special notice to verses 29-31,Our Lord specifically says we are more valuable then the sparrows. One shall not fall to the ground apart from the Father’s knowing. Over and over we here how God is sovereign. This passage in it’s context says that not one hair on our head will fall apart from the Father, meaning if we are any where anytime talking with any body truly concerned for their salvation, our Lord and Father is not going to let anything happen to us apart from His timing. That’s not to say that persecution, afflictions difficulties will not come they will, but if we truly believe He is our Father and is concerned for the salvation of all, then be reassured that He is in control. Yes we have to pray for doors to be open that we may be able to utter the word with boldness.
Everyone is to share their testimony and that’s not just with friends and neighbors or co workers. One only has so many family members and neighbors and coworkers. What happens after one has talked to their immediate relations? Go to the highway and byways and compel all to come to the marriage feast!!
In closing it’s not about being effective it’s about being obedient to our Lord. If it’s about being effective then Noah was not very good at soul winning, and what about Isaiah and others. We water and plant. God will do the increase. 1 Corinthians 3:6,7
Paul’s example in Philippians 1:12-14 should be encouraging to know that through his sufferings we should be all the more ready to proclaim the Lord to others and with boldness. And what about Philippians 1:29 we are going to suffer if we are standing for righteousness. Lastly this is a good exhortation, Philippians 2:17,18 here is Paul suffering for our faith, he is rejoicing and declaring to us that it is joy that he wants us to know, so much so in the next verse 18 he is urging us to rejoice in the same way and to share our joy with him. How is one to experience that joy maybe by partaking in sufferings as our dear brother did! Sufferings and disappointments are going to come with sharing our Lords greatness with others, but Paul says it is joy that he wants us to experience. Speaking from experience it is truly JOY when you speak to someone about our Lord.
For His Name Sake,
Brandon
I remember several years ago visiting Dagupan City in Northern Luzon in the Philippines three weeks after a large team from Campus Crusade held an event claiming over 300 decisions for Christ. Three weeks later the local pastors were able to identify 12 or 13, the majority of whom were under 15, who had any interest in coming to a church or who even uderstood what it was all about. They had simply raised their hands or stood at the invitation – a common occurance in many countries when out of town ‘celebrity’ visitors ask them to.
Jesus told us to go and make disciples; not see how many numbers we can send to our financial supporters or claim in our blog. The process the churches I was working with there used was to get to know people, invite them to meet with them once a week for a month to learn about the gospel – the discipleship began way before the were saved and continued after.
Anyone can invite people who show an interest (drawn by the Holy Spirit) to come to their home. They can have someone from the church come and teach. Its warm evangelism that works – and by the way, that’s the easy kind compared to the cold, which is just that.
We go downtown on Saturday night (a few do) and pass out tracts or talk with a few folks and come to church and talk about how exciting it was; however, how many are added to our number? It’s easier to do that than take a chance on offending a neighbor or having an evangelistic Bible study in our home (the home God gave us to be stewards of to His glory).
With you all on the journey homeward,
Bill