Need Oriented Evangelism

Advance

Recently, I have read some really disturbing statistics.

95% of all Christians have never won a soul to Christ.

80% of all Christians do not consistently witness for Christ.

47% of Millennials believe sharing your faith is wrong.

63% of the leadership of one denomination studied did not lead one stranger to Jesus in the last two years.

96% of the leadership believe their churches would have grown faster if they would have been more involved in evangelism.

There is no wonder why evangelism, or lack there of in our churches and among our pastors and leaders is a major reason why so many churches are plateaued or declining in America. So what do we do about it? Today, as we continue to think through different marks of a healthy church over these episodes, we want to discuss the issue of evangelism, and specifically Need Oriented Evangelism. We are defining need oriented evangelism as evangelism that isn’t “pushy” or “manipulative” in the way they share the gospel, rather their secret is to share the gospel in a way that meets the questions and needs of those who don’t yet know Christ. To help us in our discussion today, I am pleased to welcome Walter Angelica. Walter is pastor of Iglesia Ciudad, a multi campus congregation that began in Jacksonville Florida, and is now preparing to launch in Orlando. Walter is passionate personally to see people come to know Jesus, and he has developed within his church a culture of Need Oriented Evangelism. I am excited to have Walter encourage us today as we think through this important subject. So, Walter, welcome to the podcast.

• Give me the two-minute Walter Angelica Story
• I have entitled this podcast “Need Oriented Evangelism”. Specifically, I mean evangelism that is not “pushy’ or “manipulative” in the way the gospel is shared, but rather sharing in a way that meets the questions and needs of those who don’t know Christ. What I’d like to ask you as we begin is, What differentiates effective evangelism from ineffective evangelism as you think about it?
• I read several statistics to begin this episode. There is no wonder we have so many weak and ineffective churches in America. What is happening? How do we change this culture within our churches?
• How does Iglesia Ciudad focus on Need Oriented Evangelism.
• The statistic that really struck me was the one where 96% of the leadership believe their churches would have grown faster if they would have been more involved in evangelism. It sure seems like we are not doing a good job as pastors and leaders practicing what we preach? Do you agree, and what do you see as the role of the pastor in evangelism?
• How would you encourage our churches today in regards to evangelism? What’s one step they can take to see the temperature of evangelism raised in their church?