Interest in evangelism is exploding in American churches. Virtually every denomination, from every tradition and theological persuasion, is putting renewed emphasis—with, it appears, genuine enthusiasm—on evangelism. “Mainline” churches, many of which did little evangelism in the sixties and seventies, are making big plans for the future. Conservative churches, such as those of the Southern Baptist Convention, are strengthening programs they never abandoned and growing at a pace almost unheard of 20 years ago. The emphasis is coming from the bottom up, in a wave of concern that makes itself felt in leadership circles. “You can even talk about evangelism in polite circles of society,” jokes Grady Allison, program director for evangelism for the Presbyterian Church (USA), which will launch a five-year evangelism plan at its general assembly later this year. “It’s an altogether different scene.”
Tim Stafford is a free-lance writer living in Santa Rosa, California. He is a distinguished contributor to several magazines. His latest book is Do You Sometimes Feel Like a Nobody? (Zondervan, 1980).
Have something to add about this? See something we missed? Share your feedback here.
Our digital archives are a work in progress. Let us know if corrections need to be made.
Annual & Monthly subscriptions available.
- Print & Digital Issues of CT magazine
- Complete access to every article on ChristianityToday.com
- Unlimited access to 65+ years of CT’s online archives
- Member-only special issues
- Learn more
More from this Issue
Read These Next
- TrendingAmerican Christians Should Stand with Israel under AttackWhile we pray for peace, we need moral clarity about this war.
- From the MagazineEmpty Streets to the Empty GraveWhile reporting in Israel, photographer Michael Winters captures an unusually vacant experience at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.
- Editor's PickShoes Stay On for Maundy ThursdayFew Protestant traditions continue the footwashing that Jesus did at the Last Supper. Some want a revival of the practice.