J.D. Payne is the Thomas Welby Bozeman Chair of Christian Ministry and professor of Christian ministry at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. As a blogger, podcast host (Strike the Match With J.D. Payne), YouTuber and author, he frequently addresses the topics of missions and evangelism. His latest book is Understanding Evangelism: Biblical Foundations, Historical Developments and Contemporary Issues (Baker Academic).
“Of making many books there is no end” (Eccl. 12:12).
And there is no shortage of evangelism books in the English-speaking world. Works abound on theology and methods, and to a lesser degree, history. The irony with so many books is that believers frequently struggle to share the greatest news with the world. The spiritual discipline of evangelism requires a faithful walk with the Lord, intentionality, understanding contexts, and connecting with people far from God.
The following suggested resources are designed to equip us for our wonderful kingdom task. Though classics normally make my list of recommendations (e.g., The Master Plan of Evangelism by Robert E. Coleman, Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God by J.I. Packer, Evangelism in the Early Church by Michael Green), I have limited the following suggestions to recent publications that will assist church and ministry leaders as they equip others for Great Commission labors.
Invitation to Evangelism: Sharing the Gospel with Compassion and Conviction by Timothy K. Beougher (Kregel Academic) is an excellent and thorough evangelism textbook. Divided into three sections (Preparing for Evangelism, Practicing Evangelism, Preserving Evangelism), the author covers a wide range of territory.
Beougher follows a classic approach to organizing and sharing his material. Readers are introduced to definitions, biblical and theological foundations, history and numerous practical sections of application. Though academic, Invitation to Evangelism is pastoral in nature and not simply for students in the classroom.
Readers will be challenged to be intentional in sharing the gospel and gracious with the methods used to engage others.
Sharing Jesus Without Freaking Out: Evangelism the Way You Were Born to Do It, 2nd edition by D. Scott Hildreth and Steven A. McKinion (B&H Academic) attempts to take away the fear of sharing the gospel while alleviating awkwardness that sometimes comes with personal witness. This work is filled with examples and many practical application points.
Though the authors don’t advocate having a relationship as a prerequisite before someone shares the gospel, evangelism is encouraged in the context of relationships. Appropriate conversations and intentionality are noted as part of wise gospel storytelling.
Sent: Living a Life That Invites Others to Jesus by Heather Holleman and Ashley Holleman (Moody Publishers) focuses on the notion of being sent into the world. This wife-and-husband team encourages readers to rest in the power of the Spirit, be aware of the moments in which they encounter others, and intentionally watch for opportunities to share the gospel.
Readers are encouraged to ask probing questions of the people they meet without making evangelistic encounters seem like interrogations. The gospel is to be communicated as a story with an invitation to hearers. Though many of the authors’ illustrations reflect collegiate ministry, this book is an excellent resource for the wider body of Christ. Included are many principles of evangelism that easily can be translated across different demographics.
Evangelism in a Skeptical World: How to Make the Unbelievable News about Jesus More Believable by Sam Chan (Zondervan Academic) should be commended. In a day when evangelism frequently takes a back seat to apologetics—or apologetics is limited to discussions of Christian ethics and winning the cultural wars—this book prioritizes evangelism while showing how apologetics is used as a servant to proclamation. Chan brings a fresh and unique perspective on evangelism to Western societies.
He emphasizes the need of contextualization that comes from understanding cultures and Scripture. Readers are taught how to listen to others, ask thoughtful questions, and respond with answers to difficult questions. The author does a good job providing examples of witnessing that is done with gentleness and respect without compromising the gospel call.
Reaching the Unreached: Becoming Raiders of the Lost Art by Peyton Jones (Zondervan) is a raw examination of what all Christians are called to engage in with their lifestyles and language: disciple making through evangelism. This book is down-to-earth, readable and filled with helpful examples; while Jones’ points are biblical, provocative and challenging.
A great deal of evangelistic wisdom is found in these pages. Emphasis is placed on the Spirit who fills believers and leads them to be Jesus’ witnesses throughout the world.