The other day I posed a quote by Rob Bell, “When people think about changing the world, they do not think of the church.“ Then asked the follow up question, “Why do you think that is?“

Virgil had a great response:

“My guess would be that it is because the church has decided to only care about the afterlife. The mentality is that you get as many of em in as you can” - who needs to change the world?”

You know, I really think he’s on to something here. I had a conversation with a student who told me, “Do I care about where I go when I die? Why should I? That’s for old people like you to think about.” Evangelism has changed. The message hasn’t, but what matters to people has. Americans never want to think of themselves as old. Death isn’t something that’s thought about very often - it’s just not sexy.

And is eternity the only message behind the gospel? Isn’t there a here and now to Christ? Why is that so hard for us to convey? Here’s the one thing that you can do to evangelize effectively everyone you know: tell them what Christ has done for you. That’s what they want to hear. We are the “what’s in it for me” society. Really think and articulate what having Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior has done for you. Don’t give them the, “he’s forgiven my sins!” answer.

How has knowing and walking with Christ changed your existence in this world? Answer that question, honestly and from your heart… and people will listen. That is what evangelism is about. Not saving souls. Not packing them down the aisles. It is our job to simply share the good news of what Christ has done for us. It’s about changing the world one life at a time. That is what people need to hear.