The Reluctant Witness: Discovering the Delight of Spiritual Conversations

by Don Everts

Publisher:

IVP

, 2019

Overview

New research finds that Christians are less involved in spiritual conversations today than we were twenty-five years ago.

As society has changed, it seems we have become more uncomfortable talking with people about our faith. We are reluctant conversationalists. As a result, many of our churches and communities are shrinking instead of growing. What can we do about this?

Don Everts, himself a reluctant witness, grew up assuming that spiritual conversations are always painful and awkward. But after falling into one spiritual conversation after another, he was surprised to discover that they aren’t. Don’s surprising—and sometimes embarrassing—stories affirm what Scripture and the latest research reveal: spiritual conversations can actually be a delight. Unpacking what God's Word says about spiritual conversations and digging into the habits of eager conversationalists, Everts describes what we can learn from Christians who are still talking about their faith.

With original research from the Barna Group and Lutheran Hour Ministries on spiritual conversations in the digital age, this book offers fresh insights and best practices for fruitful everyday conversations.

Key Features

• Addresses the need for evangelism in the church today
• Explores the positive aspects having of spiritual conversations
• Includes fresh insights and best practices for evangelism

Contents

• Reluctant Conversationalists
• Why We Stopped Talking
• Delightful Conversations
• People Who Are Still Talking
• Everyday Conversations

Praise for the Print Edition

The Reluctant Witness is the best book on evangelism I have read in years. It will convict you, inspire you, and train you at the same time.

—John Ortberg, senior pastor of Menlo Church, author of Eternity Is Now in Session

As one who teaches in the field of evangelism, both in local congregations and in seminary—this is a book I have long been waiting for. I truly believe that Don’s book has the capacity to unlock witnesses for Christ in this missional moment. We desperately need ways to set people free to tell the story of Christ. Filled with important statistical insight, amazing stories of witness, vulnerable examples, and rich biblical insight—this book is simply a must for the church today.

—Jim Singleton, associate professor of pastoral leadership and evangelism, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary

I have long admired the life, work, and writing of Don Everts (I Once Was Lost). The Reluctant Witness now adds to my admiration. I was moved by it. Why? Over my forty years of ministry, I have seen spiritual conversations go from cool or hip to something as awkward as kids at their first junior high dance to it now being assumed that spiritual conversations will automatically get mixed up in our coarse, even hateful, civil discourse. Don cuts through all this. Using easily digestible data, he shows us that we really don't have to be so guarded, so afraid, so on our heels. Don gently leads us toward renewed confidence as spiritual conversationalists. I can't think of a more timely and well-aimed book on evangelism.

—Todd Hunter, Anglican bishop, former director of the Alpha Course USA, author of Christianity Beyond Belief

Product Details

• Title: The Reluctant Witness: Discovering the Delight of Spiritual Conversations
• Author: Don Everts
• Publisher: IVP
• Publication Date: 2019
• Pages: 180
• Resource Type: Topical
• Topic: Evangelism

About Don Everts

Don Everts is a writer for Lutheran Hour Ministries and teaching pastor at Bonhomme Presbyterian Church in St. Louis, Missouri. His many books include Jesus with Dirty Feet, I Once Was Lost, and The Reluctant Witness. He and his wife, Wendy, live in a wonderfully messy multigenerational household in the St. Louis area with their three children and Don’s mother, plus a dog that thinks he’s a cat, and a cat that spends time in the neighborhood sewers.