Sharing the faith with our increasingly non-Christian nation

The latest census shows that the number of Christians has decreased by four million. The church needs to be thinking about how it can share its faith - and share it effectively

I can’t help thinking that the latest survey from the Evangelical Alliance ticks a lot of boxes when it comes to sharing Gospel story in our God-forsaking generation.

There doesn't even seem to be a warm welcome for God in the hillsides at the moment either given the fact that the latest census has revealed that Caerphilly has registered a staggering 43% who claim to have no religious affiliation at all.

So what should we do and how do we need to engage with our challenging if not discouraging culture (see the Methodist Church's response)? Read more

Read also
New Census Reignites Debate over British Christianity's Future
Census reveals need for witnesses, says Catholic Church
Census reveals fall in number of Christians
Christianity not 'fading away' says Archbishop ahead of census figures
Census results 'challenging but not discouraging', says Church
Christians prefer 'friendship evangelism'

Effective 'friendship evangelism' requires Christians to move out of their comfort zones and to form genuine friendships with non-Christians. It involves maintaining these friendships even though they themselves may not see their non-Christian friends come to faith. It also involves initiating spiritual conversations with their non-Christian friends and verbally sharing the gospel. A resource that I personally recommend for those who have little or no experience bearing witness to their faith is Steve Sjogren, Dave Ping, and Doug Pollock's Irresistable Evangelism: Natural Ways to Open Others to Jesus [Group, 2004].