Two years ago, I proposed a simple plan. Every fall, our church would spend six weeks in Sunday morning Bible study focusing on evangelism. We studied BLESS by Dave Ferguson, How to Talk About Jesus (Without Being That Guy) by Sam Chan, and this fall we will study Surprise the World by Michael Frost. (I have studies written for all of these.)
 

At the time, I thought of this as a three-year plan. Now I am beginning to think three years is not enough.
 

The need is simply too great.

Research consistently shows that while most Christians believe evangelism is important, many rarely engage in it. Lifeway Research found that 55% of churchgoers had not shared with anyone how to become a Christian in the previous six months. Other studies indicate that many believers feel unprepared or uncomfortable having spiritual conversations. The problem is not that Christians do not care. The problem is that many have never been trained.
 

That is why I believe evangelism training belongs in prime time.
 

For years, churches have offered evangelism classes on Sunday nights, Wednesday nights, or special weekends. Those efforts can be helpful, but they rarely reach the majority of the congregation. If we are serious about helping our people become more effective witnesses, we must teach evangelism when most of our people are present. For most churches, that means Sunday morning Bible study.
 

Just as important, we must think long term. Culture change takes time. Habits take time. Most churches did not become weak in evangelism overnight, and they will not become strong in evangelism overnight. A six-week study can help, but lasting change requires years of steady emphasis and encouragement.
 

Perhaps the biggest surprise in this journey has been the person who changed the most.
 

Me.
 

Like many pastors, I spent most of my time around church people. My life revolved around church members, church activities, and church responsibilities. I talked about evangelism more than I practiced it.
 

Today, I regularly spend time with people who are not actively involved in church. We have lunch together nearly every week. We have become genuine friends. We talk about life, family, work, and faith. Spiritual conversations happen naturally and often. One challenge is that I live forty-five minutes from the church I pastor, so inviting them to church is not always easy. Yet these friendships have taught me something important: evangelism begins long before a church invitation. It begins with genuine relationships.
 

I am increasingly convinced that people learn evangelism not only through instruction but through example. If I want my church members to build friendships with lost people, I need to build friendships with lost people. If I want them to have spiritual conversations, I need to have spiritual conversations. The first step toward creating an evangelistic church is becoming a more evangelistic pastor.
 

So this fall we will begin Year Three. But I no longer see it as the final year of a three-year project. I see it as another step in a much longer journey.
 

And I would like to invite you to join me.
 

Teach evangelism in your church. Teach it when your people are actually there. Be patient enough to think in terms of years rather than weeks. Most of all, get out of the bubble. Have lunch with people who do not know Christ. Build genuine friendships with people outside the church. Listen to their stories. Learn their questions. Let your people see you doing it.
 

I believe the future of evangelism in our churches will not be found primarily in programs or events. It will be found in pastors and church members who intentionally build relationships with people far from God and learn how to share their faith naturally and faithfully.

Let's lead the way.