Rev. Rick Richardson, in his book Reimagining Evangelism: Inviting Friends on a Spiritual Journey, points out that for some non-believers, "Belonging comes before believing." Evangelism refers to helping people belong so that they can come to believe, with people connected after they are committed to church.
Church’s Challenges and Opportunities in Reaching Newcomers
Currently, some local churches in China are experiencing a noticeable decline in attendance. During newcomer events, the number of first-time visitors is often very low. A pastor from a church in a southwestern city shared that due to the city's unique historical factors, it is particularly challenging for locals to embrace faith. Most church attendees are migrants, and this generation is now in their twilight years. In the next 10-20 years, as this older generation passes away, the church’s future seems uncertain.
Many churches face similar challenges: an aging congregation and a decline in young attendees. How, then, can the church reach the younger generation and draw them in? Young people are often busy with work, and working late is not uncommon. They spend their free time on personal matters, leaving little room to explore faith.
Xiao Li is one such example. When asked about Christianity, he said, “I had some religious feelings as a child, but now I don’t have time to explore it. If I spend time thinking about it, I can’t work effectively. Besides, if I think about it and can’t find answers, won’t that be even more frustrating? So I avoid thinking about it.”
This is not an isolated case. The pressures of life often make seeking faith feel like a luxury.
What, then, could serve as a breakthrough point for this group? What might motivate them to step into a church? One pastor suggested that building friendships should be the first step, as sharing life’s joys and sorrows could break down barriers. This helps non-believers understand faith and allows them to participate in church activities at the right time.
Churches can also explore diverse approaches. One pastor shared that young people today often create emotional connections online. Churches should offer onsite platforms where they can experience the joy of making friends. He emphasized the importance of welcoming them to church first. He also shared an instance where a young professional, exhausted from work, asked if he could sleep during a small group meeting. Although caught off guard, the pastor discussed it with staff workers and eventually replied, “Yes, you can.” They hoped to first bring him into the church and guide him gradually during the gatherings.
Drawing Closer to Non-Believers
A story about the "Prince of Preachers," Charles Spurgeon, has been circulating online. After becoming a believer, Spurgeon hesitated for a time to share the gospel. Near his home was a bicycle shop where he often stopped to pump air into his tires. Becoming a Christian, the shop owner said to Spurgeon excitedly one day, “Friend, I urge you to believe in Jesus, as you can get eternal life, peace, joy in the spirit, blessings, and grace.”
Spurgeon replied, “I’ve known all of this for a long time, for I’ve been a Christian for many years.”
The shop owner, frustrated, said: “You’re heartless! You’ve been saved for years and come here daily to pump your tires, yet you never told me about Jesus. You care about your bicycle but not my soul—what kind of Christian are you?”
This story is thought-provoking. Many of us have friends who have not yet accepted Christ, and have we ever mentioned Jesus to them? In the Bible, Jesus always approached people first, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of Heaven. Similarly, the church should encourage its members to reach out more. This isn’t as difficult as it seems. Simple acts like chatting or sharing a meal can help build relationships, making it easier to invite others to explore faith.
For instance, Zhu, a stay-at-home mother, regularly had tea with other mothers. She noticed that one mother was always absent on Tuesdays and Fridays, so she asked her, “Where do you go on those days?” The woman replied that she went to church and invited Zhu to join her. Zhu agreed and has been attending ever since. Over the years, she has become a committed church member and participates in community service through a women’s fellowship.
Sharing the Good News Directly or Building Relationships First?
Some may wonder, should one make friends before sharing the gospel, or is it acceptable to share at the first meeting? The Dare 2 Share ministries address this question, stating that it depends on the situation. For encounters in places like restaurants or airports, this may be the only opportunity to share the gospel with a stranger. Relational evangelism, on the other hand, involves sharing the gospel after building relationships.
Engaging in relational evangelism, you can follow up and discipleship a new convert. The Dare 2 Share ministries emphasize that both forms of evangelism are important. The Holy Spirit may bring other believers into strangers to nurture them and connect them to a local church, leading to spiritual growth after sowing seeds among strangers.
Research shows that a non-believer typically needs to be invited six to seven times before they consider attending church. Another study indicates that if a church contacts a first-time visitor within 36 hours, there is a 60% chance they will return. Making contact is the first step in building a connection.
No matter how busy life gets, only Jesus can satisfy the deepest longings of people’s hearts. This Christmas season, may churches share the good news with even more people.
- Edited, translated by Abigail Wu
