'All the statistical evidence goes to show that those within our secularised societies who are being drawn out of unbelief to faith in Christ say they were drawn through the friendship of a local congregation'.
So writes Leslie Newbigin. A statement like this is easily passed over. It seems rather obvious at one level.
Yet, on closer reflection, it is, I believe, one of the keys to effective thinking and strategic action about evangelism in our churches today. What we need is not a new technique but a more thorough examination and application of this basic insight. Four observations from my own work would seem to bear it out.
