***News Release***
Fear of the ‘E-Word’—Study Reveals Churchgoers Pray for Chance to Evangelize—But Freeze
Dr. Alex McFarland and Truth for a New Generation Help the Faithful Stand Unashamed for Christ with Plenty of Evangelization Tools from Events and Camps to Books, Podcasts, Radio Shows and More
GREENSBORO, N.C.—“Dear Lord, please put someone in my path today I can witness to.”
It’s a common prayer, and perhaps even sincere, but new research shows that even though churchgoers may pray for a chance to share the Good News of Christ, they’re rarely taking advantage of those opportunities.
Renowned apologist, religion and culture expert, author and radio host Dr. Alex McFarland is pointing to a new survey from LifeWay Research that found that more than half (55%) of those who attend church at least once a month say they have not shared with someone how to become a Christian in the past six months. Coincidentally, just about that same amount (56%) say they pray for opportunities to tell others about Jesus at least once a week; 23% pray for these moments every day while 27% say they rarely or never pray for those opportunities.
McFarland says sharing the Gospel in today’s culture is not only in line with the teaching of Christ but could mean the difference between eternal life and death.
“As we see our culture spiral more and more downward, how can those who follow Jesus not take every opportunity to share about His love, redeeming power and sacrifice for each and every one of us?” McFarland said. “To pray for a chance to witness to others, then not take it when God presents that opportunity is not only tragic—it’s reckless. God does put people in our path daily who need Him, whether it’s someone on the other side of the checkout counter, the angry fellow parent, the distressed co-worker or any combination of these. It’s our responsibility to see the world through Jesus’ eyes and not be so wrapped up in our own lives that we miss the lost souls right in front of us.”
Through his Truth for a New Generation Ministries, sponsored by Liberty University, and as well as through 18 books, national and regional events, and a summer youth apologetics camp, McFarland has focused for his entire career on equipping Christians to share the Gospel and defend the faith.
The LifeWay survey, which was part of the Discipleship Pathway Assessment, also discovered the following:
- Less than half of churchgoers say they have shared with someone in the past six months how to become a Christian (45%).
- Of those who have spoken to someone about becoming a Christian, most had done so with one or two people (24%). Around 1 in 10 churchgoers (10%) average at least one evangelistic conversation a month.
- Those 65 and older are the age demographic most likely to say they had no evangelistic conversations recently (62%).
- Most churchgoers (55%) say they have, however, invited an unchurched person to a church service or program in the past six months.
“Jesus never promised the Great Commission would be completed quickly,” said the executive director of LifeWay Research, “but He set the expectation that the efforts to reach all nations with His gospel should be continuous. Many in church today appear to be distracted from Jesus’ final command.”
View the media page for Alex McFarland here. For more information on Dr. Alex McFarland, visit www.AlexMcFarland.com or follow him on Facebook or on Twitter @AlexMcFarland. For more on the Truth for a New Generation conferences, visit www.TruthforaNewGeneration.com, or follow TNG on Twitter @TruthforaNewGen or Facebook.
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