4 Lessons for Evangelism Beyond Economic Boundaries

They are talking about middle-class people (and wealthier people) reaching out to the poor. You do not often see struggling churches in economically disadvantaged areas launching outreach programs for mothers who drive Volvos and live in neighborhoods with names like “The Pines at Oakbrooke Gables.” I don’t know—maybe they should.

In any case, many churches find that the socioeconomic barrier is the most difficult one to overcome in evangelism. Ethnic barriers, on the other hand, are more obvious, and mature congregations will carefully seek to avoid creating divisions within the church. But so-called class differences can be more subtle. People from different socioeconomic backgrounds may look alike and speak the same language, yet have very different experiences of daily life.

Some Lessons

Here are a few things I have learned while leading a church that tries to reach people from different backgrounds.

1. We Are Not So Different

It is often intimidating to try building relationships with people who have a different life experience, especially in areas that seem so important: clothing, work, education, expectations, and living conditions. But in reality, these things make up only a very small part of who we truly are.

You probably have much in common, even with people who seem very different from you. Everyone—except perhaps a few British people I know—wants to be loved, known, and accepted. We all love our children and are grateful to people who are kind to them. We all worry about what the future may hold. But most importantly, we are all “in Adam” and desperately in need of a Savior (1 Corinthians 15:22).

Churches that want to move beyond socioeconomic barriers must take their first step toward others based on these common realities. It is simple: treat others with genuine sympathy and respect, as fellow travelers toward the grave, to borrow a phrase from Dickens. This approach helps avoid the sense of condescension that ruins many well-intentioned outreach efforts across social boundaries.

2. It Is Helpful to Be a Blessing

You do not want to build your evangelism only around giving people things—food, money, or gas cards. These things can be useful, but if that is all you do, people may come only for charity without being challenged by the source of the love behind the charity. Nevertheless, you can use the resources the Lord has given you to help build relationships with others.

For example:

• A Christianity exploration class for people living in a local homeless shelter begins with a homemade meal in the home of a church member. For some people living in shelters, simply eating a home-cooked meal in someone’s dining room is a true blessing. It feels normal and comforting. Conversations and relationships form more naturally around a good meal.

• A grandmother refused to allow her daughter to attend our youth outreach because she distrusted Americans. After we dropped her granddaughter off following a meeting, we sent her home with a few bags of groceries from our food pantry. After that, we were welcomed with smiles whenever we came to pick up her granddaughter.

• A local restaurant closed for one evening and invited us to bring poor and needy people for dinner. About 75 people enjoyed a delicious Italian meal—an experience many could never have afforded. Church members built relationships through laughter and shared meals. The Gospel was presented, and an evangelistic Bible study was organized afterward.

In each of these situations, we used our resources to bless people, build relationships, and ultimately share the Gospel.

3. Environment Matters

If you want to connect with people who are less fortunate and privileged than you, look around your church and your everyday life. Try to imagine how someone with fewer resources might perceive them.

Do your sermon illustrations assume that everyone attended college? Owns a car? Has access to a computer, cable television, or brand-name clothing? These things communicate a great deal about whether someone feels welcomed in your congregation.

Could your house—its size, neighborhood, or furniture—feel intimidating to someone with limited means? Would they immediately feel uncomfortable or out of place? If so, you may need to be even more intentional in reaching people.

Is your home located where poorer people—who may not own a car—can walk or use public transportation to visit? If not, hospitality becomes more difficult.

4. Know Your Audience When Explaining the Gospel

Finally, if you want to reach people from different backgrounds, think carefully about how you explain the Gospel. To be clear, the message itself must never change. Every man, woman, and child needs to hear about sin, the holiness of God, the death and resurrection of Christ, and the need to repent and believe.

However, you may need new methods to communicate this message to people who are not comfortable with English or with reading as a way of receiving information.

If I am sharing the Gospel with an educated professional, I may invite him to read a book with me to examine the claims of Christ. And many poor but educated people also enjoy reading. But we also need other communication methods for those who do not read. Two examples include using videos (such as Christianity Explored) or storytelling methods (like those used at Soma Church) to communicate the movements and themes of Scripture.