Skip to content
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
The Baptist Paper
The Baptist Paper
  • SBC 2025
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your state news
  • Classifieds
  • SBC 2025
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your state news
  • Classifieds

First Person: Reasons Christians stay silent about their faith

  • May 10, 2022
  • Lifeway Research
  • Latest News, Lifeway
(Canva photo)

First Person: Reasons Christians stay silent about their faith

Most Americans are interested in conversations about Christianity, but few Christians seem willing to talk about their faith, according to a recent Evangelism Explosion study conducted by Lifeway Research.

Why aren’t Christians more willing or proactive to discuss their faith? 

In my years teaching evangelism in the local church, on the mission field, and in academic settings, I’ve learned there are several reasons Christians are silent about their faith.

1. A desire to be friendly

Evangelism is a loving act of telling someone why you have hope in a broken world. It’s talking about something (or someone) important to you. However, for too many, evangelism conjures a negative image; it feels unkind.

We have no problem talking about our kids, grandkids, new cars, or even a television series we’re watching. But when it comes to talking about Jesus and the difference our faith makes in our lives, we freeze.

We’ve accepted the idea that evangelism is unfriendly, so we remain silent.

2. Fear 

It’s human nature to avoid uncomfortable things. In fact, it keeps us alive. For many, evangelism is a frightening prospect. I’ve observed this fear takes three forms.

Fear of failure

According to Mohsin Shafique, “Fear of failure is the number one reason people don’t set goals or try new things.”

An article in the LA Times noted fear of failure plagues 31% of adults. This is greater than the fear of spiders (30%), being home alone (9%), or even ghosts (15%).

Instinctively, we know most of our conversations about Jesus will not end with someone confessing faith in Christ. If we define a successful evangelistic conversation as one that ends in new birth, we’re setting ourselves up for failure, something most of us would rather avoid.

What if we shifted our definition of successful evangelism? What if we followed the guidelines given by Paul in 1 Corinthians 3:6-8 where he writes:

“I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So, then, neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his own reward according to his own labor.”

What if we understood that successful evangelism is a cooperative effort with multiple people and multiple encounters — sowing and watering, then reaping when God gives the growth?

With this new definition, failure is almost impossible.

Fear of not knowing enough

We usually couch this fear in a sentence like, “I am afraid someone will ask me a question I don’t know the answer to.” This is a legitimate concern.

The Bible is a big book, and there are so many complicated theological and ethical questions that no one can really know it all. However, we can’t let this fear keep us silent.

Consider:

  • According to Romans 1, it’s the gospel, not our well-thought-out answers, that is God’s power for salvation.
  • “I don’t know,” is an acceptable answer. In fact, it’s a great answer because it communicates honesty and provides a reason for a follow-up conversation when you find the answer.
  • Unanswered questions rarely, if ever, keep someone from becoming a Christian. After all, you’re a Christian, and not knowing the answer didn’t stop you from trusting Christ.

Fear of saying the wrong thing

Several months ago, my wife and I were in a big box store, and a man stopped us to ask if we knew where the bathroom was. We pointed to the back of the store, and he walked off. Then we realized we’d sent him in the wrong direction.

What a terrible reality to discover you’ve given someone bad directions. However, as with the other fears, this one is often exaggerated in our minds. I’m not suggesting that content is not important in evangelism. However, God uses our efforts to accomplish his purposes.

3. A tendency toward forgetfulness 

I think this is the number one reason Christians don’t talk about Jesus.

We’re just too busy or too distracted to remember to do so. A 2019 study from Lifeway Research discovered 55% of those who attend church at least monthly say they haven’t shared Christ with anyone in the past six months, although nearly the same percentage (56%) say they pray for opportunities to share at least once a week. And 23% say they pray daily for evangelistic opportunities.

What’s happening here?

Are we to assume these Christians didn’t talk with any unbelievers? Are we to believe God refused to answer these prayers? I doubt this is true. My guess through —personal experience — is most of these folks started their day with good intentions, but then, as events unfolded, they simply forgot.

What can you do to remember to share Christ?

  • Make a list of names and pray specifically for them.
  • Make plans to share. Make this part of your schedule.
  • Create a team, those you can partner with for evangelism.

We are surrounded by people who need Jesus, and research tells us they’re open to talking.


EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Scott Hildreth and originally published by Lifeway Research. 

Share with others:

Facebook
X/Twitter
LinkedIn
Email
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email

Latest News

  • Amendment on women pastors falls short again
    Amendment on women pastors falls short again
    June 12, 2025/
    0 Comments
  • SBC affirms resolution on gender, marriage and family
    SBC affirms resolution on gender, marriage and family
    June 12, 2025/
    0 Comments
  • Southern Baptists defeat motion to abolish the ERLC
    Southern Baptists defeat motion to abolish the ERLC
    June 12, 2025/
    0 Comments

Sign up for the Highlights

Get all latest content delivered to your email a few times a month.
Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

Related Posts

Amendment on women pastors falls short again

Messengers voted 3,421 to 2,191—60.74 percent to 38.90 percent—in favor of a motion to “clarify” only churches with male pastors are considered in “friendly cooperation” with the SBC.

SBC affirms resolution on gender, marriage and family

Messengers to the Southern Baptist Convention in Dallas voted to affirm all eight resolutions brought to the floor — with some debate — but with only one amendment, deemed friendly.

Southern Baptists defeat motion to abolish the ERLC

Messengers to the SBC annual meeting in Dallas voted 3,744 (56.89 percent) to 2,819 (42.84 percent) on June 11 to reject a motion introduced by Willy Rice of Calvary Baptist Church in Clearwater, Fla., to abolish the ERLC.

Lifeway aims to ‘build things’ to come alongside churches as they make disciples

In his report to the Southern Baptist Convention on June 11, Ben Mandrell said Lifeway’s role is to “build things for the body of Christ,” not to be one-size-fits-all.

Want to receive news highlights throughout the week? Sign up here!

Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

About

  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Our Partners
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Contact us
  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Our Partners
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Contact us

Explore

  • State-specific news
  • Archive
  • Opinion pieces
  • Sunday School lessons
  • Persecuted Church
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • State-specific news
  • Archive
  • Opinion pieces
  • Sunday School lessons
  • Persecuted Church
  • Podcasts
  • Videos

Submissions

  • Story suggestions
  • Your Voice/Letter to the Editor
  • Photos / Videos
  • Corrections/other
  • Submission Policy
  • Story suggestions
  • Your Voice/Letter to the Editor
  • Photos / Videos
  • Corrections/other
  • Submission Policy

Subscribe

  • Subscribe
  • Renew subscription
  • Gift a subscription
  • Start a new member subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Request free trial
  • Subscribe
  • Renew subscription
  • Gift a subscription
  • Start a new member subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Request free trial
The Baptist Paper
Address:
3310 Independence Dr.
Birmingham, AL 35209
Copyright © 2025 TAB Media Group
  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ
  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ

Email:
news@thebaptistpaper.org

About

  • Our Team
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Donate
  • Photo Galleries
  • Contact us
  • Hosted Church
  • Our Team
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Donate
  • Photo Galleries
  • Contact us
  • Hosted Church

Explore

  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your State News
  • Persecuted Church
  • Editorials
  • Opinions
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Archive
  • Submit your news
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your State News
  • Persecuted Church
  • Editorials
  • Opinions
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Archive
  • Submit your news

Subscribe

  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Subscribe
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Subscribe
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate

Log Out?

Lost your password?

Log In

Lost your password?

Log in

Become a part of our community!
Forgot your password? Get help
Privacy/Terms of Use

Reset password

Recover your password
A password reset link will be e-mailed to you.
Privacy/Terms of Use
Back to
Login
×
Close Panel