Sharing Your Faith with Nominal Christians

According to the Pew Research Center, 70.6% of Americans identify as ‘Christian.’ We don’t need statistics to know about the vast divide between how many claim to be ‘Christian,’ and how many are actually followers of Jesus.

Though surrounded by these people – nominal Christians, ‘in name only’ – we often feel uncertain about how to interact with them spiritually. Do we treat them as complete unbelievers? Do we treat them as genuine Christians until it becomes ever-so-obvious that they aren’t?

While I don’t have the answers to all the questions, I want to address three important topics. What is your goal when interacting with nominal Christians? What is not your goal? And what can you do to help them spiritually?

What is your goal?

Paul commended Timothy to the Philippians as one who ‘will be genuinely concerned for your welfare.’ Your goal in every relationship – with an unbeliever, a nominal Christian, or a genuine believer – should be the same: to be genuinely concerned for their spiritual welfare. You want each person you interact with to have a strong relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

Recognizing your goal will help you determine what to focus on. If the focus is on their spiritual condition, you won’t focus on showing them the evils of a particular denomination or arguing a secondary topic of Scripture (though these may be important conversations). You will find a way to help them in their spiritual relationship with God.

What is not your goal?

Your goal is not to ensure that they have the same social, political, or theological opinions as you do (though some of those opinions may be important). Your goal is not to make sure they are in the same denomination that you are in. Your goal is for them to have a healthy, vibrant relationship with God. (If they have a genuine relationship with God, submitted to the Lordship of Christ, and living life in light of the Bible, their opinions will change).

More generally, it is also not your goal to question their testimony or force them to acknowledge their lack of genuine spirituality. You don’t have to be the ‘theology police’ and point out their bad doctrines. You don’t have to immediately confront their denominational affiliation. (If they are anything like most Americans, they probably don’t even know what their denomination teaches; even if they do, they don’t necessarily believe those specific points of doctrine). In fact, you don’t even have to force them to a ‘decision point’ in their spiritual life.

Please don’t misunderstand me (it would be easy to!). I’m not saying that you shouldn’t bring up concerns or challenge them. I am saying that when you enter into a conversation, your primary goal should be to help them develop a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

What can you do?

Understanding that your goal is to ‘genuinely care’ for a nominal Christian’s spiritual welfare, there are a few practical steps you can take.

Share testimonies, focusing on regeneration

As you show genuine care for this person, you can ask them about their spiritual ‘journey.’ How did they become a Christian? What is their ‘testimony?’ What has God done in that person’s life?

Don’t leave it at that; share your own testimony. First, it exalts God to tell others what He is doing. Plus, they might be intrigued by your testimony. If you share your testimony well, it will exalt Jesus and reveal that He is the Lord of your life.

As you share your story, focus on regeneration – the way that God changed you from being a God-hater to one who loves and worships and seeks Him. Talk openly (but appropriately) about the sins He saved you from, and describe your great desires – to know Him, to spend time with Him, to learn about Him.

Discuss the Gospel and the storyline of the Bible

Asking ‘what do you think the Gospel is all about?’ could lead to some great conversation. Again, share your own thoughts as well. Focus on regeneration.

Discuss the storyline of the Bible. Show how the Bible is a connected story that points to Jesus Christ, and then discuss how Jesus Christ changes lives. These are fascinating topics for anyone to hear about. Your friend might be challenged to reexamine their own beliefs after the conversation.

Be willing to humbly point out obvious inconsistencies

There is a time and place to do it, and sometimes you need to take the next step of pointing out obvious inconsistencies between a nominal believer’s words and lifestyle. Don’t point out something that is not an obvious inconsistency.

If you point out an inconsistency, focus the conversation on your genuine care for that person and how their lifestyle doesn’t seem to be in line with their calling as a Christian. It’s a great opportunity to have a cross-centered discussion and discuss what it means to be a Christian. Don’t make the whole conversation about ‘you need to change this aspect of your life.’

Invite them to continue the conversation

Having one conversation with a nominal Christian may not be enough. Sometimes you can continue your relationship by inviting them to a Bible study, small group, or Bible reading event that you are hosting or participating in. You never know what sort of conversations could take place in this setting. Inviting them to church can be good, too, but more personal settings are generally more ideal.

Conclusion

Sharing your faith with nominal Christians is somewhat of a trial-and-error process – just like all of evangelism. Fortunately, God’s doesn’t need us, and our mistakes don’t hinder His purposes. Just get out there and care for others genuinely!