Is Evangelism Dying?
The landscape of Christianity in America is undergoing dramatic transformation. As traditional church evangelism declines and pastoral burnout increases, Need Him Global is responding to these challenges with innovative approaches to digital ministry.
Recent statistics paint a concerning picture. We see more and more churches (over one-third of Southern Baptist churches last year) reporting zero baptisms. Another research study found that only 1% of pastors believe their church is very effective at evangelism (down from 13% in 2015). And while interest in faith is growing, church membership in America dropped below 50% for the first time in recorded history.
This decline stems from several factors. Those considering religion or church have too often encountered an “us versus them” mentality from believers they find to be unloving and judgmental. The issue is not disagreements about faith or orthodoxy as much as an issue with Christian hypocrisy.
We also see too many churches settling for transfer growth rather than actual conversion, with some congregations abandoning evangelism entirely in favor of discipleship-only approaches. These two objectives should work together and not be a one or the other decision.
Simultaneously, we’re witnessing an unprecedented spiritual crisis among church leaders. A staggering 42% of pastors are seriously considering leaving ministry, with one in every six reporting thoughts of self-harm or suicide, and burnout is widespread especially among younger pastors.
The COVID-19 pandemic proved to be a breaking point for many church leaders, creating impossible situations as congregations divided over health protocols and politics. This crisis is particularly acute among younger pastors, with only 35% under age forty-five reporting satisfaction in their ministry roles compared to older colleagues being twice as satisfied.
Despite these challenges, tremendous opportunity exists. While church attendance declines, spiritual openness remains high with more Americans expressing spiritual interest, especially among younger generations. People haven’t rejected faith; they’ve rejected traditional institutional expressions of it.
This is where Need Him Global’s approach becomes vital. Our Resident Leadership Program is training the next generation of pastoral leaders. These students gain invaluable experience handling over 2,500 conversations annually on difficult and diverse topics with people from all backgrounds. This program combines the critical and practical preparation for meeting people where they are with the traditional seminary training that historically lacks a strong evangelical component.
Today’s mission field has shifted online, where we meet seekers on their terms. Building trust takes longer and must be done on the terms of those searching. Modern spiritual seekers need safe spaces to explore questions without judgment, exactly what thoughtful online evangelism provides.
As Jesus commanded us to go where people are, today that increasingly means engaging them online. The Gospel has not changed but how we invite the world into it has. By preparing future pastors and meeting people on their terms, we are making the message more accessible and relevant. The place it happens is less significant than actual and authentic conversation. That is what transforms lives and eventually feeds new believers and well-prepared pastors into healthy bible teaching churches.
