By someone who’s had to learn this the hard way.
There was a moment recently—a clarifying conversation in our local community—where I could feel the tension in my own chest. I had the option to say the surface-level thing, to make it easier. And honestly? Part of me wanted to. Because being an evangelist doesn’t always mean you’re bold. Sometimes it just means you want everyone to feel connected—even if it means avoiding the hard truth.
That’s the struggle of being an evangelist in today’s world.
We’re living in a culture pulled in every direction—political division, cultural suspicion, online echo chambers, and a growing loss of shared language. It’s a world where nuance is rare, conflict is common, and people are quick to label and dismiss.
In that kind of environment, it’s easy for evangelists to become chameleons. To blend in, avoid offense, and just keep the peace. But that’s not our calling.
The Shadow Side of Connection
Evangelists are designed to connect. We know how to find common ground, speak someone’s language, make them feel seen and invited. But if we’re not careful, that desire to relate can slip into people-pleasing. We soften the message too much. We avoid difficult conversations. We choose harmony over holiness.
Alan Hirsch reminds us in 5Q that immature evangelists are often tempted to be overly accommodating. They thrive on relational energy—but without deep-rootedness, they risk becoming “a mile wide and an inch deep.”
I’ve seen it in others, and I’ve seen it in myself.
The Call to Be Deeply Rooted
In this cultural moment, we need evangelists who are not just passionate—but anchored.
We need Good News carriers who are:
- Grounded in spiritual disciplines and Jesus’ truth
- Courageous in uncomfortable conversations
- Discerning about the difference between empathy and compromise
If we’re going to represent Jesus in today’s fractured world, we need to abide before we proclaim. We need to slow down long enough to be formed by the message we carry.
Evangelism isn’t about adjusting to every context. It’s about bringing the unchanging truth of Christ into every context with love, wisdom, and courage.
Joy That Can’t Be Faked
Here’s the joy part: when we do speak with integrity—when we stay rooted and still choose to reach out—something holy happens. People don’t just hear a message. They sense life. A way of being. A presence that’s not performative but authentic.
That’s the kind of evangelist our culture needs.
Not the loudest one.
Not the flashiest one.
But the one who carries good news because they live it.
An Invitation
If you’re an evangelist, let me challenge you:
Don’t drift into noise.
Don’t disappear into people-pleasing.
Don’t settle for shallow connection.
Instead, stay rooted. Let your joy come from the Source. Let your urgency be anchored in truth.
Because in a world that’s fractured, fearful, and fraying at the edges—your voice, your presence, your story matters.
Are you an evangelist who wants to grow in spiritual maturity and cultural clarity?
Our Evangelist Pilot Cohort is designed for people like you—those ready to go deeper, live bolder, and embody the Good News with conviction.