Acknowledgments

I never dreamed of becoming an author. During my freshman year in college, I received a B+ on every theme paper I wrote, convincing me I would never excel as a writer. Then a seminary professor wrote a comment on a term paper: “You are a very good writer.” That statement changed my perspective, even though to this day I often question its accuracy! I enrolled in a writer’s conference held at my seminary and published an article soon thereafter. I have been writing ever since.

I share this little glimpse about my writing for three reasons. First, it illustrates the power of words. The things we read do affect our lives. We can make a difference through what we write! Second, it shows an individual can change. My perspective about my ability to write changed through a simple comment. I pray that the words of this book will convince you that you can make a difference in evangelism—and, if you are not confident in your ability, that you can change. Third, we can misjudge our abilities. I do not consider myself a great writer, but I believe I can write. I had misjudged myself. Whether you are a pastor or a deacon, minister or layman, student or teacher, if you have doubts about your ability to make an impact for the kingdom of God, read on. You might discover that you, too, have misjudged yourself and the God who has called you to follow Him.

This book builds on my Introduction to Evangelism released in 1998, on the eve of my fortieth birthday. I turned fifty as this revision and major expansion was coming to completion. A conversation a few years ago began my journey that has become this book. My former student and current colleague Bruce Ashford and I enjoyed breakfast one day in my tenth year at Southeastern. He asked me a question that I could not let go. “What do you teach differently now about evangelism than when you taught me almost 10 years ago?” he asked. I mumbled something to the effect that I taught essentially the same. But inside my head I already had ideas spinning, motivated by troubling thoughts about the way the Western Church has practiced evangelism, about our failure to reach the hard-core unchurched, and about how we were losing youth faster than we could win them. This book culminates much of what I have thought about and learned over the last 10 years.

The gospel itself never changes. But culture, technology, and many other vital parts of life change all the time. Applying the unchanging gospel in a changing culture through churches that vary in degrees of effectiveness (more are actually ineffective) means we must adapt the unchanging message to unsteady times.

Like a good book, life is lived in chapters more than years. This book signals a new chapter in my life—a renewed focus on teaching and a passion for the gospel. Many have contributed to the various chapters of my life. While these words are mine and the many limitations and weaknesses of this book are mine, I have been aided by an abundance of friends and colleagues in its writing. In particular I have been assisted by several leaders in the field of evangelism and missional thinking through the contribution of articles throughout the book. These include Tom Johnston on how translators have utilized the word for “evangelize,” Chuck Lawless on spiritual warfare, David Mills on practical helps for personal witnessing, George Robinson on effective short-term mission trips, Ed Stetzer on church planting, and David Wheeler on servant evangelism and evangelism to those with special needs. I am particularly grateful for my friend Thom Rainer for writing the foreword. Thom has been both an inspiration and an encourager for all the years I have been a professor. Finally, Roy Fish was my teacher and my mentor in PhD studies. He has been a hero for most of my ministry. Thanks, Dr. Fish, for writing the afterword.

My president, Danny Akin, and dean, David Nelson, have been the best folks with whom I could ever hope to work. I am grateful to them and to the trustees at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary for granting a sabbatical to complete this work. Denise Quinn helped with the typing of the manuscript. So many students contributed ideas and insights, and in particular my fall 2008 small group—Nathan Akin, Melissa Clift, Sabrina Crawford, Jason Delapp, Shaina Duncan, Brandy Griggs, Josh Reid, Walter Strickland, and Scott Talley—helped with feedback on the chapters on the cities, church planting, and paradigms.

More than anyone I thank the Lord Jesus Christ for such a great salvation we have the honor of sharing with others. Finally, I thank God for my wife, Michelle, and children, Josh and Hannah. They put up with a lot of my daydreaming, time away, and general hyperactivity. I love you all more than life. Anything I accomplish for Christ is a tribute to you three. Ministry is wonderful, but family is better.