As we look ahead to the future of the church, we are faced with a critical challenge: evangelism is on life support in many congregations. This stark observation comes from Carey Nieuwhof, a bestselling author, speaker and podcast host, whose insights have been instrumental in shaping church leadership conversations across North America. In “5 Disruptive Church Trends That Will Rule 2025,” Nieuwhof highlights a concerning reality for the church, one that requires our immediate attention and action—the crisis in evangelism.

Nieuwhof shares that, over the last five years, church leaders have focused largely on discipleship in response to the challenges posed by the pandemic. Yet, he argues, this focus often obscures a more profound problem: the decline of effective outreach to those outside our walls. As Nieuwhof points out, the number of pastors who say their church is very effective at outreach has dropped from 13 percent in 2015 to just one percent in 2023. This shift raises a vital question for us as a Salvation Army: are we reaching out to those who need to hear the gospel, or have we become a club for the already convinced?

The statistics are troubling, but they also present us with an opportunity—a call to action. As members of The Salvation Army, we are uniquely positioned to address this decline in evangelism. Our mission has always been deeply rooted in outreach and service to others, particularly the marginalized and those on the fringes of society. Yet we, too, must ask ourselves how effectively we are reaching those who have not yet encountered the transforming power of the gospel.

Nieuwhof’s analysis brings to light an important trend: much of the growth in many churches today is “transfer growth”—people moving from one congregation to another rather than new believers coming to faith. This trend is mirrored in the broader church landscape, where studies show that a significant percentage of churches are experiencing little to no conversion growth at all. This should cause us to reflect: are we prioritizing the growth of our institutions, or are we committed to the mission of reaching the lost?

For The Salvation Army, this is a particularly poignant moment. Our work has always been about both discipleship and evangelism—serving people in need while proclaiming the hope of Christ. But we must ask ourselves: are we still effectively sharing the good news in a way that engages the world around us? Are we innovating in our outreach methods to meet the needs of a rapidly changing society?

There is much at stake. As Nieuwhof argues, when evangelism is neglected, the very future of the church is at risk. Without a vibrant, outward-facing witness, the church risks becoming inwardfocused, losing sight of its mission to bring the love of Christ to those who need it most. Evangelism is not about growing numbers for the sake of numbers—it is about fulfilling our mission of salvation. It is about loving our neighbours, including those who may not yet know Christ, and showing them that God’s love is real, present and transformative.

So, what can we do? Nieuwhof’s solution is clear: take evangelism seriously. It is time for us, as The Salvation Army, to renew our commitment to reaching those outside the walls of our church buildings. We must ask ourselves: how can we better engage our communities with the hope of Christ? How can we reach out to those who are far from God, in a way that is both compassionate and compelling?

In the coming months, let us reflect on our own practices and ministries. Let us be bold in sharing the gospel, and let us commit to innovative, compassionate outreach that speaks to the needs of the world around us. As we do, may we find new ways to embody the heart of The Salvation Army—offering the hope of Jesus Christ to a world desperately in need of his love.

Together, let us reignite the fire of evangelism in our mission, so that the world may know the transforming power of Christ’s love through The Salvation Army.

COLONEL JOHN CHAMNESS is the chief secretary in the Canada and Bermuda Territory.

Photo: Lydia Bennett/Lightstock.com

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