Creating an Evangelism Team

Evangelism is a Greek word meaning good news. The word has the same root as angels, messengers who announce good news.

To be about the task of evangelism is to announce the Good News of Jesus through word and deed. Creating an Evangelism Team at your congregation can be a wonderful opportunity. It can be a joy to encourage people to become stronger, vibrant witnesses to the love of God made known in Jesus Christ. But what does an Evangelism Team do?

Evangelism Team Job description:

Wait a minute! Doesn’t that sound like the calling of every follower of Jesus? Each of us is called to be a witness to Jesus Christ. Absolutely!

Jesus said, “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

Invite, encourage, and train your whole congregation to be part of the Evangelism Team. Imagine not limiting the Evangelism Team to just a few people. What if every member of the congregation participated in bearing witness to Jesus Christ? How might you expand the concept of the Evangelism Team beyond a few on a committee or task force? No doubt, it will take some creative effort in preaching, teaching and planning.

The church cannot afford to allow a few to be the entire Evangelism Team. That is not what Jesus Christ had in mind when he commanded us to be his witnesses.

Questions to Ponder:

  1. How might you invite and encourage others to share the good news of Jesus?
  2. What training would be helpful as you witness to Jesus Christ?
  3. How can you support others to offer their gifts to bear witness to the Good News of Jesus Christ?


Writer: Robin McCullough-Bade
Copyright © 2004 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
May be reproduced for local, non-sale use provided the above copyright notice is included.
E-Tips, Division for Congregational Ministries - Evangelism.
www.elca.org/dcm/evangelism