Becoming a Contagious Christian

If there was one book that has shaped my practice of personal evangelism more than any other, it is Becoming a Contagious Christian, by Bill Hybels and Mark Mittelberg.They present a practical form of personal evangelism that can help the ordinary person in the pew overcome their shyness or fears in talking about their faith in Christ.I was once the obnoxious in your face evangelist, but I've changed. Becoming a Contagious Christian helped me change my approach to personal evangelism and now I teach these same principles in my materials throughout the US and Latin America.I have made them my own, rephrased them to suit me, and these principles are integrated into the DNA of the evangelism style I teach.The primary topic of course is relational evangelism, and the idea of forming “strategic friendships with non believer’s” with the goal of helping them become fully devoted followers of Christ.I found the book very helpful in stressing* a holy lifestyle* relational connections to non-Christians, and* training in being able to clearly communicate a gospel script.I read evangelism books for a living, and many focus on just one of those three.The core of the teaching of Becoming a Contagious Christian is summed up in this principle:Close Proximity + High Potency + Clear Communication = Maximum ImpactClose Proximity centers on forming relationships of integrity. I can testify from my workshops that many lifelong Christians have no irreligious friends and don't even know how to befriend a non-church goer. Hybels and Mittelberg give the reader several practical steps to form relationships with non-Christians.High Potency centers on living a holy life – a life that demonstrates the work of God, and a life that bears witness to the truth within us.Clear Communication calls us to share the gospel with words. This book doesn't teach that you life is the only witness you need. Instead the authors remind us that we need to communicate the gospel with words as well.Maximum Impact is all about how to help a person become follower of Jesus.The greatest contribution this book makes is the recognition of various evangelism styles.In the book, Becoming a Contagious Christian, Bill Hybels and Mark Mittelberg point out that there are a variety of different evangelism styles.Confrontational: Peter, Acts 2.Intellectual / Philosophical: Paul, Acts 17.Testimonial: Blind Man, John 9Invitational: Woman at the Well, John 4Serving: Dorcas (Tabitha), Acts 9: 36ffSigns and Wonders: First Corinthians 2:1-5.To this list, I would add “Chance Conversations,” based on Phillip and the Ethiopian Eunuch.This list has become a fountainhead for a lot of other teaching. For example, it is the foundation for Jeffrey Johnson's work, "Got Style?", which helps your church decide the best evangelism course based on it's personality.Some who read this book claim that it presents a "man centered" form of evangelism and minimizes the work of the Holy Spirit.However, being familiar with Hybels' writing and teaching, this critique holds no water. Hybels clearly speaks of the role of the Holy Spirit in evangelism. He tells stories where he feels the nudge of the Holy Spirit. These quotes also go to show that Hybels knows that the Holy Spirit has an active role in evangelism.Another common critique is that it is relational evangelism. Most of these critics come from the viewpoint that one doesn't need to build a relationship first before the gospel is shared. If you are a fan of the urgent confrontational style of evangelism, for example, Way of the Master, then this material will bother you because of its emphasis on building relationships and earning the right to be heard.If your church doesn’t believe in engaging the culture and having relationships with non-churched people, then this book will be so against the grain of your church’s DNA that it won’t work period [there are some very separatist type churches out there].The final critique I see most often is that this book is not theological enough. If you want a theology behind evangelism, then I agree – this book is not oriented in that way. It is extremely practical in how to talk with people, how to be genuine with people, and how to have spiritual conversation. This wasn't written as theology book, nor does it pretend to be one.This book has had a tremendous impact in my own life. I do what I do in my international ministry, in part because of teaching like what is contained in this book.

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I love this book. It makes sharing so easy! I’ve noticed God setting up conversations about Him when I am willing to share. This definitely helps ease the anxiety!

as a follower of Jesus Christ and so willing to follow His command to preach the gospel, the problem i've always had is how to start, what to say, how to be articulate, how not to make a fool of myself. yes, alot about me, me, me.Bill Hybel is someone i'll love to just sit and listen to for a whole day (or more if he doesn't mind)i found the book very enlightening, educative, encouraging and exceedingly equipping! i've only read it once, but know it's something i have to read a few more times.loved it. certainly. thanks Bill.now i tell myself it's not up to me! never have been. praise the Lord for that.i try to listen more to the Spirit. He is the one who gets the job done anyway. i'm merely a tool (what a relief).i'd recommend this book to everyone who's eager to share their faith and simply don't know how to get started

This book greatly expands the information in the DVD series of the same name. The content is clear and illustrates the point with numerous examples. I particularly liked the way it breaks evangelism down into a series of bite-sized, understandable pieces that can be learned by anyone interested. It also makes to point of evangelism clearly and concisely. The content can be used by new Christians and those who have Christians for a long time. If you've been through the DVD course, this book expands on that in useful ways that add additional layers of understanding. For me, the most important point was that the book demystifies evangelism and shows how ti can become an part of everyday life for a Christian.

I loved this book so much I suggested my pastor should offer a group on it. Somehow she got me to lead but it was a great study even with me leading because the book is so well written and there are participants guides.

Good book for a leader or group study. I don't agree with everything put out in the book so far (I'm on chapter 5) but it is worth reading and studying with others.

I haven't finished the book yet, but so far the author of this book has challenged me in my thinking of what it means to be a contagious Christian, something I have been desiring to be for a long time but not quite sure how to go about it. I love the practical illustrations and the scripture appropriately used to illustrate what it means to be like Jesus and how to be contagious in doing so. Thanks for putting this together!

yet again, bill hybels uses both his very real faith and experience with his common sense, human and straightforward way of writing to fashion a truly practical guide to becoming a far more contagious christian.

A classic by now but with many thought provoking ideas and example. Very encouraging too. Would recommend, but allow for US context.

Going through this with a friend. So far so good.

Great book

Great book, easy read with good illustrations. I would recommend this to all Christians.