“Where’s Waldo?” If you were a child in the 1990s, or even a college student, you probably spent copious hours diligently searching brightly colored pages in oversized books hoping to find an iconic figure. Characterized by his blue pants, red-and-white striped shirt and cap, with an impish grin and unruly hair, circular glasses and wooden cane, not to mention his striped socks . . . who could miss Waldo? Yet, he always seemed to be either lost or in hiding, needing finding. The whole series of books is founded on one assumption: Waldo needed finding!
Real Life Waldos
We live in a world of real life Waldos. In 2024 the Washington Post reported that 29 percent of Americans identify as “nones” in terms of religious affiliation, with Axios sharing that 49 percent of the U.S. population rarely or never go to any religious services. People are “lost.” Unfortunately, our enthusiasm for finding a fictitious cartoon character has apparently surpassed our interest in finding real-life Waldos, lost people, those who are unchurched and unreached.
In April 2025 Carey Nieuwhof published his “Five Disruptive Church Trends That Will Rule 2025,” based on studies of congregations across North America. In it, he assessed, “Evangelism is on life support in most churches.” While the conversation among church leaders over the past five years has been dominated by disciple-making, two issues emerged: (1) “Fuzzy and unclear” descriptions of disciple-making, and (2) Evangelism is absent from disciple-making!Based on a recent Barna Group study, when ministers were asked to assess the evangelistic outreach of their congregations, they reported that it had dropped from 13 percent in 2015 to just one percent in 2023!
Reversing the Trend
How can evangelism become a priority for the church? What can be done to reverse the current circumstances? First, start recognizing lost people. How familiar are you with the community in which you minister? Not just the congregation, but the community. Where are the lost and broken people? What opportunities for ministry and sharing the gospel does this present? Studying the neighborhood and community around the congregation, receiving a demographic study and determining who God has specifically placed within your reach is indeed a reminder of reality beyond the congregation’s walls.
Second, equip individuals to do evangelism. When I served with the Lincoln Christian Institute, the most frequently requested seminar was “How to Share My Faith,” a seminar on evangelism. Churches cannot assume people know how to evangelize. They need both training and resourcing to effectively share the gospel.
Third, encourage people to do evangelism. Highlighting the opportunities within the community, sharing first-person videos of conversion stories, and identifying those who have actively engaged in evangelism are ways to encourage others to do evangelism. Stories demonstrating the power of the gospel always motivate others to share their faith.
Fourth, become a welcoming church. If Christ accepts someone, we need to accept them as well. We need a discipleship pathway, a “What’s Next” for someone who has accepted Christ, a path forward for new believers.
The Crux of the Evangelism
Three parallel parables are found in Luke 15, all about reaching out to the lost. Jesus teaches about the lost sheep (3-7), the lost coin (8-10), and the lost son, better known as the prodigal son (11-32). In all three instances, something is lost and is found. Upon finding each lost item, a celebration occurs! This is, of course, preceded with a period of intense desire and diligent search for the lost item; like the father who saw his returning son “while he was still a long way off” (v. 20). Naturally before a search can occur, we must acknowledge its absence. Why look for something that isn’t lost? But all of this is contingent on one final observation: You have to value that which is lost. If it’s just a dumb sheep who has wandered off, not even realizing its lost, who cares. If it’s just one coin, it may not be worth bending over to pick it up, like a penny falling out of your pocket. If the son is prodigal, then he is getting what he deserves. He asked for it; let him face his own consequences. We would never notice their absence, conduct a search, or celebrate upon their return. Evangelism begins with valuing lost people.
It comes down to this: Do you care? Do you value lost people? Do you have the same compassion for them that Christ had for you (John 3:16; Romans 5:8)?
Recent postings: A director of campus ministry is needed at the University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign). Stillwater (Pa.) Christian Church is looking for both a lead pastor and a youth pastor. Lexington (Ohio) Church of Christ is seeking a full-time senior minister. Norwin Christian Church in North Huntingdon, Pa., needs a full-time worship minister. Lycoming Christian Church in Linden, Pa., is seeking a minister of children, youth, and young adults. Michigan City (Ind.) Christian Church needs a senior minister. And more . . .
By taking these symbols of Jesus’ body and blood, we announce we believe there really was a Jesus, and he really did die for us and carried all our sins down to a grave . . .
Southeast Christian Church’s “Purpose in Pandemics” is a documentary that follows the response of the church to pandemics throughout history. The “Purpose in Pandemics” website also includes a study guide for small groups and individuals.
I soaked up Sam Stone’s wit and wisdom during our lunches together. Afterward, I’d take notes about our conversations. After hearing of his passing, inspired by his wordsmithing, I felt compelled to share just a small part of his story.
In memory and appreciation of our former editor, Sam E. Stone, who died early this week, we share this 2011 column from Christian Standard’s archives in which Sam discussed four Scripture verses significant to his life.
Mark A. Taylor shares memories of his colleague, teacher, and friend, Sam E. Stone. Sam, who was Christian Standard’s longest-serving editor, died on Monday.
Three Bibles of historical significance to Cincinnati Christian University were the first books place on the shelves during relocation of the George Mark Elliott Library.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. saw in minority groups’ struggles for social equality in America a parallel with Israel’s bondage in Egypt. King envisioned God’s goodness would deliver the U.S. from the evil of segregation.
Since I first enrolled at Ozark Christian College, Mark Scott has been my kingdom hero, and I’m not the only young preacher Mark has shaped. Over his 35 years at OCC, Mark has inspired generations of students.
In its first full year, the Christian Church Leadership Foundation has accomplished much to ensure Christian education and resources would continue to be available to people in the Greater Cincinnati area.
If I were counseling an aspiring young preacher fresh out of Bible college or seminary, champing at the bit to lead in the church, I would offer these three bits of advice.
When the Powell quintuplets were born in 2001, all of Kentucky celebrated, including Southeast Christian Church, where the Powells are longtime members. Now the quints are 18 and are all headed to the same university.
When the COVID-19 crisis eases, I anticipate that reentry is going to be harder than some people think. Churches, especially, need to prepare for this.
The focal point during this sacred time of remembrance is the death of our Lord on the cross. As we meet around his table we are in essence commemorating two deaths: Jesus dying for our sins and we, as believers, dying to our sins.
Recent studies contend that the joys of Christmas can be carried beyond December and result in good mental and physical health by regularly going to church.
Praise God for the assurance that because of the Lord’s sacrifice we are cleansed and forgiven of every trespass. Father, forgive us for we know not what we do.
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