Years ago, an older brother in the faith took me aside and discipled me in something called lifestyle evangelism. The concept is something of a reaction to older forms of evangelism. Like preaching on a street corner. Or shoving a gospel tract into somebody’s hands. Incidentally, I’m not suggesting that either of those is wrong—or even bad.
But the idea behind lifestyle evangelism is that we—quote—“earn the right to be heard” by virtue of the life that we live. And there’s something to that. When it comes to sharing Christ with my neighbors, I’ve worked hard at first being a good neighbor—as in loaning them tools, or helping take in their trash cans. No point in sharing Jesus if I won’t share my stuff.
Lifestyle evangelism underscores that making disciples is a process. Conversion is rarely instant. So far so good.
My problem with lifestyle evangelism is that there is now statistical evidence that many of us end our witness with good deeds. But that’s only the starting point. Those good deeds are intended to lead to conversations. Conversations about Christ.
Yet George Barna can show us reams of surveys that show most of us never get to the talk. Maybe it’s because we’re scared. Or maybe it’s because we’re ashamed. Or maybe we’ve forgotten that despite the manicured lawn and shared interest in the Chicago Bears, that neighbor over the fence—apart from a saving relationship with Jesus—really will spend eternity burning in hell.
At some point it comes down to words. Bible words. It has to. Or it’s not really evangelism. Could I challenge you? Keep on doing those nice things for your neighbors. But don’t forget the kindest act of all: sharing Jesus verbally. To ignore that is to be the worst kind of neighbor.