Christians have long known that evangelism is important. And yet, debate rages over evangelistic principles and practices. Some say big events, others say no events. Some say altar calls, others say no offer at all. Some say evangelism is an individual’s game, others say it’s a team sport. How do we make sense of so many diverging views? This issue of Church Matters will consider what the Bible says about evangelism as well as pastoral principles for how churches may best approach the task at hand. 9Marks exists to help pastors build healthy churches. We create resources and host events focused on expositional preaching, gospel doctrine, conversion and evangelism, church membership, church discipline, discipleship and growth, church leadership, prayer, and missions. Learn more at 9Marks.org. Table of Contents Editor's Note by Jonathan Leeman What Is Evangelism? A Biblical Understanding of Evangelism by Mark Dever The Whole Commission: Why Making Disciples Includes More Than Evangelism by John Sarver Must Every Christian Evangelize? by Tim Beougher They Will Listen: Evangelistic Confidence in a Cynical Age by Paul Billings Evangelism and the Church Connecting Evangelism and Church by Jonathan Leeman Evangelistic Expository Preaching by Mark Dever Addressing Nonbelievers in Corporate Worship by Jamie Southcombe How to Equip the Church for Evangelism by Brad Wheeler Three Ingredients for an Evangelistic Church Culture by Mike McKinley Five Ways for Pastors to Cultivate Their Own Evangelism by Matt Merker Reaching the “Converted” by Bob Johnson Building a Culture of Evangelism Takes Time, So Be Patient and Get to Work by Sam Emadi and Caleb Greggsen Why People in Your Church Don’t Do Evangelism—and One Really Important Thing to Do About It by Isaac Adams Evangelism in Children’s and Youth Ministry by Mitch Kimbrell Evangelism Without an Altar Call by Aaron Menikoff Fisherman or Fishermen? Considering the Church’s Corporate Mission by Matt Sliger Evangelistic Programs or the Alternative? by Mack Stiles Growing in Evangelism Commend the One You Cherish: Learning Evangelism from John Piper by David Mathis Pre-Evangelism: Building Relational Trenches by Paul Billings What If I’m Discouraged in My Evangelism? by Zach Schlegel Five Reasons We Don’t Evangelize by Mike McKinley What Place Do Gospel Tracts Have in Evangelism Today? by Alberto Puente Evangelism on the Ground The Gospel for a Gay Friend by Garrett Kell Evangelism in a Post-Christian Culture by Elliot Clark Evangelism as a Community Project by Joel Kurz Evangelism in the Workplace by Ashok Nachnani Evangelizing Prosperity Gospel Disciples by Godwin Sathianathan How to Evangelize Cross Culturally by John Folmar Evangelism Across Economic Boundaries by Mike McKinley How Hospitality Helps Evangelism by Sam Crites Evangelizing the Nations at Home by Andy Johnson Reaching Our Neighbors with the Gospel by Allen Duty Evangelism Stories How Spurgeon Got His Congregation by Geoff Chang Tim Keller on Apologetics as Evangelism by Collin Hansen Japanese Student Finds Life in Switzerland and Takes It Back Home by Christian Schmid