Is evangelism still a priority in our churches? According to church leaders, the answer is yes—and it’s a shared mission. Learn how leaders are equipping their people and what gives them confidence for the future.
Is evangelism still a priority for Australian church leaders? Absolutely.
According to the 2021 NCLS survey, 76% of senior church leaders say evangelism is highly important in their church. That includes leaders from Catholic, Protestant, and Pentecostal backgrounds, with Pentecostal leaders the most likely to emphasise evangelism (87%).
But how it happens varies. While some churches have particular leaders who specialise in evangelism (22%), others report that most leaders are involved (28%), or that gifted attenders carry most of the load (18%). Encouragingly, a majority of leaders (56%) believe that all or most attenders evangelise as part of their everyday lives.
Many leaders feel prepared for this work:
- 26% say they have a personal gift for evangelism
- 41% feel very well equipped for mission and outreach
- Another 47% feel equipped to a basic level
There’s also a growing sense of optimism. Most leaders believe their church is well positioned for growth—whether that’s in new relationships, new disciples, or broader impact in the community.
The big picture:
Evangelism isn’t just the work of a few—it’s a shared calling. With confident, equipped leaders and engaged attenders, local churches can offer hope to the world around them.
More information
Read the research reports for more detailed findings.
