Most church leaders believe in evangelism but find it difficult to get their people involved. The resources listed are tools to motivate, train, and guide others in sharing the Good News.
Note: an asterisk (*) indicates a book is not listed in the most recent Books in Print and therefore must be sought through libraries, used-book sources, or the publisher.
Aldrich, Joseph C. Life-Style Evangelism. Portland, Ore.: Multnomah, 1981. How to use natural relationships to cross traditional boundaries in evangelism.
Brestin, Dee. Finders Keepers. Wheaton, Ill.: Shaw, 1983. A practical model of how to share the faith with friends and neighbors.
Coleman, Robert E. The Master Plan of Evangelism. Old Tappan, N.J.: Revell, 1978. A classic study of Jesus’ methods with his disciples.
“Comprehensive Evangelism Newsletter,” published by the Charles E. Fuller Institute of Evangelism and Church Growth, Box 989, Pasadena, CA 91102.* Offers a good list of resources available to train laity.
Conn, Harvie M. Evangelism: Doing Justice and Preaching Grace. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan, 1982. Balances evangelism with social concern.
Engel, James F. Contemporary Christian Communication. Nashville: Nelson, 1979. Excellent training resource on the process of motivating conversion.
Engel, James F. and Wilbert Norton. What’s Gone Wrong with the Harvest? Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1975. Communications strategy applied to evangelism.
Ford, Leighton. Good News Is for Sharing. Elgin, Ill.: Cook, 1977. A guide to evangelizing through friendship and love. Also available are training films for use in the church.
Gerber, Vergil. God’s Way to Keep a Church Going and Growing. Pasadena: William Carey Library/ Gospel Light, 1973.* A manual for evangelism and church growth.
Green, Michael. Evangelism in the Early Church. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1967.* Examines first-century evangelism and challenges contemporary methods.
Griffin, Em. The Mind Changers. Wheaton: Tyndale, 1976. Describes the art of persuasion.
Griffiths, Michael. God’s Forgetful Pilgrims. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1975. A challenge to the church to return to the primary task of evangelism.
Henderson, Robert T. Joy to the World. Atlanta: Knox, 1980. A highly recommended resource on the joyful aspects of sharing the Good News.
Hunter, George G. III. The Contagious Congregation. Nashville: Abingdon, 1979. Offers tools and training for involving the congregation in effective evangelism.
Innes, Dick. I Hate Witnessing. Ventura, Calif.: Vision, 1983. Designed to help people break out of stereotypic witnessing molds to share their faith personally and effectively.
Johnson, Ben. An Evangelism Primer. Atlanta: Knox, 1983. Up-to-date resource with practical principles for congregations.
Krass, Alfred C. Evangelizing Neopagan North America. Scottdale, Penn.: Herald, 1982. A resource for evangelism addressing the cultural framework of non-Christians in North America.
Little, Paul. How to Give Away Your Faith. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity, 1966. A practical training tool for witnessing and for training others. Often used with Little’s Know Why You Believe.
McPhee, Arthur. Friendship Evangelism. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1978. Focuses on reaching out to natural contacts such as friends, relatives, and working associates.
Metzger, Will. Tell the Truth. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 1981. A training manual on the message and methods of God-centered witnessing.
Neighbour, Ralph, Jr. and Cal Thomas. Target Group Evangelism. Nashville: Broadman, 1975.* Directing evangelism toward people in certain natural groupings.
Packer, James I. Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 1961. A helpful tool for explaining God’s providence versus human decision making.
Peace, Richard. The Church’s Guide to Evangelism. Boston: Evangelistic Association of New England, 1982.* Designed to help stimulate ongoing evangelism in local churches through regular and special programs.
Pippert, Rebecca Manley. Out of the Salt Shaker and Into the World. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 1979. Excellent resource for motivating and training in evangelism as a way of life.
Sisson, Richard. Training for Evangelism. Chicago: Moody, 1979. Good for mobilizing laity.
Southard, Samuel. Pastoral Evangelism. Atlanta: Knox, 1979. Emphasizes the need for balancing care with evangelism.
Watson, David. I Believe in Evangelism. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1976. Perhaps the best general introduction to evangelism available.
Youth Evangelism Explosion, c/o Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church, 5555 North Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308. Adapts the adult model for use with teens. One of the only programs available to train and mobilize teens in evangelism.
Copyright © 1984 by the author or Christianity Today/Leadership Journal. Click here for reprint information on Leadership Journal.
