A Heralding People

The Call to be a Heralding People - a study on Evangelism in America

The Call to Be Heralds

Let’s be honest—when we hear the word evangelism, many of us instinctively recoil. It often brings to mind street preachers proclaiming fire and brimstone, door-to-door campaigns that feel more like cold calls, or awkward encounters where faith is reduced to a scripted sales pitch. We believe the gospel is good news, yet too often, the methods used to share it make it feel anything but.

Shane Claiborne, in Irresistible Revolution, captures this tension well:

"Sometimes when we evangelized, I felt like I was selling Jesus like a used-car salesman, like people’s salvation depended on how well I articulated things. And that’s a lot of pressure. I even heard a pastor explain that he used to work in the corporate world and now he was in a 'different kind of business' with the 'best product in the world.' But I wasn’t sure I was even selling them the real thing. Sometimes it felt like Jesus was a blue-light special at Kmart, or like I was in one of those infomercials in which people are way too happy to give you lots of cheap stuff you don’t need."

Many have walked away from such experiences feeling less like people and more like targets. Perhaps you’ve witnessed—or even experienced firsthand—the damage inflicted by manipulative tactics, rehearsed scripts, or high-pressure conversions that felt more like coercion than transformation. The sad truth is, bad evangelism has done real harm.

We must recognize the context in which we live. We are not stepping into a world untouched by Christianity. Rather, we are entering into stories where people may carry deep wounds inflicted by segments of the church. According to the Pew Research Center, the number of religiously unaffiliated individuals in the United States has been steadily rising, with many citing negative experiences with churches as a key reason for leaving. The cultural memory of Christianity in the West is marred by painful recollections—of those who falsely bore Christ’s name while perpetuating slavery, of complicity in the genocide of Indigenous people, of churches covering up abuse.

And yet, history also holds stories of the faithful church—defenders of justice, protectors of the vulnerable, communities that truly embodied the love of Jesus. But in a world where wounds remain fresh, our culture remembers the pain. And who could blame them?

Still, we hold fast to this: what was proclaimed by a man named Jesus over 2,000 years ago is good news. The question before us is this: How do we share this good news in a way that is truly life-giving and faithful to Jesus’s original message?

A Broken World, A Healing Gospel

We live in a time when many have already decided that Christianity is not good news. Just as the Israelites, burdened by the weight of slavery in Egypt, could not hear Moses’ announcement of freedom “because of their broken spirit and cruel bondage” (Exodus 6:9), many today struggle to hear the promises of God because they are deeply hurting. Understandably, wounded hearts have difficulty receiving good news.

If we live in an age of broken spirits, we must allow ourselves to be broken for them. Paul models this in 1 Corinthians 9:19-22:

"Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible... To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some."

Like Paul, we must step into the pain of others—not dismissing it, but allowing it to move us, to break us. To the broken spirited, we must become broken spirited. Only from a place of deep empathy and humility can we share the healing message of the gospel.

What is the Gospel?

The gospel is not merely about escaping hell and getting into heaven. That version reduces good news to good advice. As N.T. Wright notes in Simply Good News, the gospel is not a set of instructions for achieving a better afterlife, but rather an announcement—something has happened in the world that has changed everything.

Throughout the Gospels, Jesus and His disciples repeatedly declare, “The Kingdom of Heaven is near” (Matthew 3:2, Matthew 4:17, Mark 1:15, Luke 10:9). They are not saying, “The Kingdom is far away, but if you believe, you’ll get there one day.” No—heaven is breaking into earth. God is restoring, not abandoning, His creation.

The gospel is a story:

• Something has happened—Jesus entered the world, lived a life of perfect love, died for our sins, and rose again, proving that sin, death, and evil will not have the final word.

• Something is happening—Because of Jesus’s resurrection, God’s kingdom is breaking into our world now. We are being reconciled to God and heaven and earth are drawing near. Lives are being transformed. Healing is unfolding.

• Something will happen—One day, God will complete His work of renewal. Every wrong will be made right, every tear wiped away, and God will dwell fully with His people (Revelation 21:3).

  
  

This is good news—not a transaction, not a mere escape plan, but the restoration of all things.

When the Gospel Wrecks Your Life

We often hear the promise: “Give your life to Jesus, and everything will get better.” And in many ways, it does—life becomes richer, deeper, and filled with purpose. But better doesn’t always mean easier. In fact, by human standards, following Jesus often complicates life rather than simplifying it.

Shane Claiborne captures this paradox:

"I know there are people out there who say, ‘My life was such a mess. I was drinking, partying, sleeping around… and then I met Jesus, and my whole life came together.’ God bless those people. But me? I had it together. I used to be cool. And then I met Jesus, and He wrecked my life. The more I read the gospel, the more it messed me up, turning everything I believed in, valued, and hoped for upside-down. I am still recovering from my conversion."

We don’t want to downplay the liberation the Gospel brings. Within our own church community you will find people who were once bound by addiction and now walk in freedom. Some who lived in anxiety now have found peace. Some who walked the road of selfishness & pleasure at all costs but now walk in a life of love. But those same people will tell you—freedom isn’t always easy. Walking away from an old life or a favorite drug—no matter how destructive it was—still involves loss and grief. The false comforts we relied on don’t always disappear without pain or effort. In fact, following Jesus can feel like a death to your old self before it feels like new life.

The Gospel isn’t about securing an easy life—it’s about stepping into a truer one. One that strips away illusions, calls us to something deeper than success or status or mere comfort. The Gospel might wreck our plans and comfort zones, but it rebuilds something far better in their place.

How Do We Share the Good News?

In a world of broken spirits, the way we share the gospel matters as much as the message itself. Our method must reflect the character of Christ.

1. We are the Message

Before people listen to our words, they observe our lives. Jesus calls us “the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14), meaning our lives should radiate His love, grace, and truth. Aristotle keenly observed that when people listen to a speaker making claims, their primary question—whether consciously or unconsciously—is, "Is this person trustworthy?" They are evaluating the speaker just as much as the words being spoken.

Much has been made of the quote often misattributed to St. Francis of Assisi: "Preach the Gospel at all times. When necessary, use words." While many rightly point out that this sets up a false dichotomy between actions and words, this quote still may have something to offer us—especially in a world where words are cheap to hand out, but actions can cost us everything.

In Trauma-Informed Evangelism, Charles Kiser and Elaine Heath put it this way:

"Christians as a people are to faithfully embody the good news of Jesus Christ in such a way that it can be touched, tasted, and tried on [...]." In other words, we shouldn't merely tell people about God’s work in our lives—we should invite them to experience it. Dallas Willard, in The Divine Conspiracy, echoes this sentiment:

"You lead people to become disciples of Jesus by ravishing them with a vision of life in the kingdom of heaven in the fellowship of Jesus. And you do this by proclaiming, manifesting, and teaching the kingdom to them in the manner learned from Jesus himself."

Ultimately, we are the message. Our lives should be a living testimony, inviting others to taste and see what God is doing—not just hear about it.

2. We Go with Humility

Jesus did not come wielding power or dominance—He came as a servant (Philippians 2:5-8). In the same way, our posture must be one of humility, not coercion.

When Jesus sent His disciples out to preach the good news (Matthew 10), He sent them as "sheep among wolves"—not with wealth, status, or self-sufficiency, but empty-handed and dependent. They carried no extra clothes, no money, no guarantees of comfort. Instead, they were instructed to rely on the hospitality of others, to be good guests in people’s homes, and to accept whatever welcome they received. They went out vulnerable, unable to depend on material security.

This is how we are to share the Gospel—not from a place of superiority or force, but with humility and the peace God sends us with. We go not to overpower, but to invite. We go not in self-reliance, but in faith. We go not as conquerors, but as servants—just as Jesus did.

3. We Trust God’s Work

   Salvation is God’s work, not ours. As 1 Corinthians 12:3 reminds us, “No one can say, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ except by the Holy Spirit.” God does all the heavy-lifting. Our load to bear is pretty light.

   
   

   This truth should encourage us. Before we ever step into a conversation, God is already at work. Jesus makes this clear in Matthew 9:37 when He tells His followers, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.” We are sent into fields already tilled and nurtured by God—we are not solely responsible for the work, nor do we carry the full weight of transformation. This truth relieves pressure from us and dignifies those we meet. We are not necessarily the first to introduce them to God—they, too, may have encountered Him already. David Fitch, in Presence-Based Witness, captures this approach beautifully. When sharing the Gospel, he begins with a simple but profound question:

"I see God at work here. Can you see Him too?"

4. We Go as Learners

   Since God is already at work in the world, we must go to others to learn and not just to share. A powerful example of this is the Celtic Christian movement. When St. Patrick brought the Gospel to the Celtic people—whom much of the world had dismissed as barbaric—something unexpected happened. Their culture already reflected an aspect of God’s heart that the "Christianized" Roman world had overlooked.

   
   

   The Celts lived much of their lives in the open air, and when they embraced Christianity, they developed a deep appreciation for God as Creator, born out of the way of life from their cultural heritage. They saw Scripture’s call to care for creation and incorporated it into their faith practice. This stood in stark contrast to Roman Christianity, which often viewed the natural world as something to dominate and exploit (Celtic Way of Evangelism, George G. Hunter III).

   
   

   In other words, the Celtic people had a glimpse of God’s truth that challenged the assumptions of the Christian world that came to them. Likewise, as we share the Gospel, we will meet people who do not follow Jesus but have wisdom, experiences, and perspectives that can teach us. If we approach others not as conquerors, but as fellow seekers of truth, we will often find that God has been revealing Himself in unexpected places.

   
   

   We are not the only ones bringing something valuable to the table—we are joining a conversation God has already begun.

   
   

A Practical Rhythm for Heralding: BLESS

Here is a practical rhythm for sharing the good news with others, which we invite you to:

Begin with prayer—Pray for those who don’t yet know Jesus. Listen—Before speaking, take time to hear their story and learn from them. Eat—Share meals, build relationships, offer hospitality. Serve—Find tangible ways to love those around you. Share your story—When the time is right, share what God has done in your life.

Heralding Manifesto

We invite you to pray this prayer in response as often as you can:

Lord, make me a herald of your good news—  

Not only in words but in the witness of my life.  

Let my heart testify to your presence,  

Awake to how you move in my midst.  

Before I proclaim, let me first receive—  

A gospel that is truly good,  

A truth that is living,  

A love that is overflowing.  

Unveil to me the fullness of your kingdom,  That I may taste and see before I speak.

Lord, shape me into your servant.  

Make me small, that you may be great.  

Make me last, that others may come first.  

Make me trust, that the harvest is yours.  

Teach me to labor in faith, not in striving,  

To plant and water, yet surrender the fruit to you.

Lord, refine my proclamation.  

Let me speak only what I have truly seen.  

Season my words with gentleness and grace.  

Banish from me the need to win an argument,  

And awaken only the desire to love a heart.  

Let my life ring with the melody of your mercy,  

And my lips echo the sound of your truth. 

 Amen.

Resources & References

Check out the following resources that will help you in your practice of being a Heralding People & that were referenced for this post:

• Simply Good News, N.T. Wright

• Presence Based Witness: Six Steps to Power-full Witness in Christ's Kingdom, David E. Fitch & Gino Curcuruto

• The Celtic Way of Evangelism, George G. Hunter III

• Trauma-Informed Evangelism, Charles Kiser and Elaine Heath

• Divine Conspiracy, Dallas Willard