In every generation, the church is called to rediscover the gospel—not because its message has changed, but because the world around us has. Today, we find ourselves in a cultural moment marked by rising secularism, post-truth narratives, and profound spiritual confusion. Evangelism now requires more nuance, discernment, and courage than ever before. Yet amidst the complexity, the mandate of Jesus remains unwavering: ‘Go and make disciples of all nations’ (Matt 28:19).
As I’ve written before, imagine a future where the radiant ideals of the Great Commission and the Great Commandment shape our global reality—where the passions and pursuits of every believer align with Christ’s call to disciple the nations (Matt 28:18–20). What if the missio Dei was not just a theological framework but the lived vocation of every Christian? A gospel-shaped life lived in the midst of a gospel-starved world.1
This is the heartbeat of the Lausanne vision—to see the gospel for every person, disciple-making churches for every people and place, Christlike leaders for every church and sector, and kingdom impact in every sphere of society.2 But how do we proclaim this gospel with clarity and confidence in a world that distrusts truth, doubts institutions, and resists the exclusive claims of Christ?
That question was front and center in a recent Lausanne Proclamation Evangelism Network webinar with Professor John Lennox, where global evangelists, leaders, and thinkers gathered to reflect on what it means to share the gospel in an age of skepticism. Through pre-meeting responses and live engagement, participants expressed both a hunger for gospel fluency and a need for deeper confidence in witness.
The Gospel: More Than a Message
As the Seoul Statement powerfully affirms:
‘This gospel is not a formula or set of religious ideas but rather a story that conveys good news and the power to transform lives.’3
It is the story of God’s creation, humanity’s fall, Christ’s redemptive work, and the Spirit’s empowerment of a new people for the new creation to come.4 This gospel defines our identity and drives our mission. It is translatable into every culture, yet not malleable to every desire.5
This gospel is not a formula or set of religious ideas but rather a story that conveys good news and the power to transform lives.
In our efforts to be relevant, we must guard against reshaping the message to suit cultural sensibilities. Gospel fluency is not cultural improv—it is Spirit-led immersion in the eternal truth of Jesus Christ that transforms how we live and speak.6
Greg Stier reminds us that gospel fluency is ‘of first importance’ (1 Cor 15:3–4). Without it, movements stall. He offers this memorable axiom: ‘The Gospel is the steak. The method is the plate. Get the steak right before you serve it.’7
This article reflects on five key insights from the Lennox conversation held on Friday, 4 April 2025, and the surrounding discussion—a window into what global evangelists are experiencing, asking, and needing in today’s evangelistic climate. What follows is not just analysis but a call—to proclaim Christ in word, in love, and truth.
Five Gospel Challenges in a Secular Age
In the webinar, participants contributed reflections through Mentimeter. These real-time responses provide insight into the barriers, burdens, and burning questions shaping evangelism today:
1. Fear is the #1 Barrier to Evangelism
Fear topped the list when asked, ‘What is your biggest challenge in sharing your faith?’ Whether fear of rejection, losing friendships or getting it wrong, this emotional hurdle paralyzes many. As one attendee shared:
‘I’m afraid of saying something that will push people away, rather than draw them in.’
This echoes Greg Stier’s emphasis on gospel urgency—cultivating a deep compassion for the lost by seeing them the way Jesus did: harassed and helpless (Matt 9:36).8 Gospel urgency breaks the grip of fear.
2. Christians Want to Grow in Clarity and Confidence
When asked how equipped they feel to share their faith, most participants rated themselves between 3.3 and 4.3 out of 10 in areas like engaging non-believers, explaining the gospel clearly, and answering tough theological or cultural questions. One participant reflected:
‘Even knowing the Bible and experiencing God, I don’t know how to share that without sounding mystical or vague.’
This lack of confidence is not rooted in apathy but in uncertainty. Many believers deeply desire to witness but feel unequipped to do so effectively. This reflects a broader need within the church—not just for more training events or apologetics content, but for intentional discipleship that connects theological conviction with everyday conversation.
Gospel clarity is cultivated over time through immersion in Scripture, communal reflection, and lived experience.9 The task before us is not to oversimplify the gospel to make it palatable but to explain its depth with compassion and conviction. As Paul wrote, ‘We have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways . . . but by the open statement of the truth we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience’ (2 Cor 4:2, ESV). Clarity and confidence are born from truth that is well-understood and well-lived.
Gospel clarity is cultivated over time through immersion in Scripture, communal reflection, and lived experience.
3. The Credibility of Christianity Is Being Questioned
Today’s evangelistic context is marked by deep skepticism—not just about God but the church and its role in history. Participants identified common objections they often face:
- ‘The church has caused more division than healing.’
- ‘Christianity feels intolerant of other beliefs.’
- There’s no evidence for a higher power—just blind faith.’
Such responses reveal more than intellectual resistance; they often come from places of wounded trust or spiritual disillusionment. Gospel fluency requires more than solid arguments in this environment—it requires compassionate presence.
To be gospel-fluent is to engage these objections with truth, tenderness, boldness, and humility. We must be willing to listen before we speak and meet people where they are. As Peter urges, ‘Always be prepared to give an answer . . . but do this with gentleness and respect’ (1 Pet 3:15). Apologetics must not be a combative defense of ideas but a gracious invitation to encounter the person of Christ.
4. Engaging Other Worldviews Is a Real Need
Today’s evangelism takes place in pluralistic and deeply complex contexts. As one participant honestly confessed,
‘I don’t know how to share Jesus with people who don’t think or live like me.’
Another asked for guidance in sharing with LGBTQ+ friends, Muslims, and those who are spiritually indifferent. This highlights the pressing need for a gospel strategy—an intentional approach to evangelism that is relational, respectful, and rooted in truth. Greg Stier calls this the third pillar of a gospel movement.10 One helpful tool is the ‘Ask–Admire–Admit’ framework, which encourages believers to:
- Ask thoughtful questions that invite dialogue.
- Admire aspects of the other’s belief or story where possible.
- Admit their own need for Jesus, opening space for authentic gospel witness.
In a world of differing beliefs and identities, this posture invites curiosity rather than confrontation—and helps ensure that the gospel is shared with clarity and compassion.
5. People Are Asking Deeper Theological Questions
A final insight shaping current evangelism efforts is the need to be deeply grounded in theological truths.
Mentimeter participants asked:
- ‘Why was Jesus’ death necessary?’
- ‘Why would a loving God send people to hell?’
- ‘How do I talk about Jesus without sounding arrogant?’
These questions aren’t signs of doubt—they are signs of hunger. Gospel fluency must go beyond clichés. We need thoughtful, Scriptural answers grounded in love.
A Gospel for Every Person: Our Sacred Mission
This is not merely a Lausanne slogan—it is the heart of the gospel and the mission of the global church. As the Lausanne Covenant urges, we must ‘break out of our ecclesiastical ghettos and permeate non-Christian society.’11
The gospel is for the rich and poor (Luke 4:18), for every tribe and tongue (Rev 7:9), and for every person—seen and unseen. From unreached peoples to secular creatives, refugees, and skeptics, the gospel recognizes no boundary it cannot cross, no heart it cannot reach.12
Greg Stier calls us to gospel-advancing sustainability—creating a culture where evangelism is not just an event but a way of life. This requires ongoing prayer, disciple-making, leadership modeling, and bold vision.13
We need this in our churches, ministries, and networks.
A gospel-fluent church is one that:
- Sees the unseen with the eyes of Christ.
- Speaks truth with clarity and compassion.
- Lives in such a way that the gospel becomes visible.
As the Seoul Statement states:
‘Through our presence, our practice, and our proclamation, we tell the story of the gospel to the ends of the earth.’
So, let us live the gospel.
Let us tell the gospel.
Let us embody the gospel—until Christ returns.
A Prayer for Gospel Fluency
Lord Jesus,
Give us the boldness to proclaim your truth, the wisdom to speak with clarity and love, and the humility to live as your witnesses in a skeptical and fragmented world. May your Holy Spirit shape our hearts, our words, and our lives, that we might declare your gospel to every person, in every place, until you return.
Amen.
Endnotes
- Desmond Henry, The Gospel for Every Person. Lausanne Movement, 2024.
- Lausanne Movement, Lausanne 4 Vision. https://lausanne.org/lausanne-4.
- The Seoul Statement, Lausanne Movement, 2024, https://lausanne.org/statement/the-seoul-statement.
- Ibid.
- Christopher J. H. Wright, The Mission of God: Unlocking the Bible’s Grand Narrative. (Madison,WI:IVP Academic, 2006).
- Andrew F. Walls, The Missionary Movement in Christian History. (Maryknoll:NY: Orbis, 1996).
- Greg Stier, 4 Keys to Launching a Gospel Movement. (Arvada, CO: Dare 2 Share, 2023).
- Stier, 4 Keys to Launching a Gospel Movement.
- Ibid.
- Ibid.
- The Lausanne Covenant, Section 6, 1974.
- John Piper, Let the Nations Be Glad: The Supremacy of God in Missions. (Ada, MI: Baker Academic, 2010). 13. Greg Stier, Gospelize Your Youth Ministry. (Arvada, CO: Dare 2 Share, 2022).
- Greg Stier, Gospelize Your Youth Ministry. (Arvada, CO: Dare 2 Share, 2022).