When D. James Kennedy took over at Coral Ridge and Chuck Smith started Calvary Chapel, significant overt (intentional) evangelistic effort was the cornerstone of their growth. This has been true throughout history. Albeit, biblically literate clergy preaching in large group venues have been a norm, it does not account for the majority of conversions overall. The account of the Ethiopian eunuch and Phillip is an early example of personal (one-in-one) soul winning.
Tragically, the prevailing worldview has degraded significantly. Apologetics has thus taken a more prominent role in dialogue with unbelievers, who are admittedly more vociferously and self-consciously hostile to the propositions of the Christian faith, not to mention intensification of cult expansion. But it does seem that evangelism outside of the four church walls has declined sharply, especially with the rise of political correctness and charges of intolerance. Today, reformed, as well as broadly evangelical, denominations do careful demographic studies and traffic surveys and cash flow projections to determine church growth strategy. I call it the ‘Field of Dreams’ strategy of church growth; namely, ‘Build it, and they will come.’ Thus, church growth is predicated on attraction (property, promotion and programs), but evangelism not so much. Leaders additionally anticipate luring disaffected members of nearby sick (if not dead or dying) congregations. I euphemistically call this ecclesiastical ‘grave robbing.’
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