10 Books on Relational Evangelism

Over the years, I’ve discovered that my personal evangelism style leans toward conversation and relationship. I enjoy meeting people where they are on their spiritual journey—whether that’s a friendly talk after church, a cup of coffee with a neighbor, or a chance encounter that turns into a meaningful discussion about faith.

This approach fits both contact and incarnational styles of evangelism, but it thrives when relationships lead the way. I’ve seen again and again that people are far more open to spiritual conversations when they sense genuine care and curiosity.

That’s why I often coach pastors and church leaders to build a culture of relational evangelism in their church. Create a culture where everyday believers learn to share faith naturally through authentic relationships. It’s not about memorizing scripts, though evangelism scripts are helpful in the right moment.

Instead, relational evangelism is about listening, loving, and living out the gospel in ways that draw others toward Jesus.

If you want to explore this further, here are ten of my favorite books on relational evangelism. Each one will help you refine your personal evangelism style and equip others in your church to do the same.

My 10 Favorite Books on Relational Evangelism

Life-Style Evangelism: Crossing Traditional Boundaries to Reach the Unbelieving World

By Joseph C. Aldrich

Aldrich’s classic work lays the foundation for relational evangelism as a lifestyle, not a program. He challenges readers to see evangelism as a natural overflow of Christlike living, where your relationships become the bridge to faith. This book helps pastors and church leaders model personal evangelism in a way that feels authentic, not forced.

Reimagining Evangelism: Inviting Friends on a Spiritual Journey

By Rick Richardson

Richardson helps believers move away from scripted presentations and into spiritual conversations. He explores how friendship, curiosity, and prayerful attentiveness open doors for the gospel. This is one of the most practical books on relational evangelism for people who feel uncomfortable with traditional methods.

Spiritual Conversations

By Gary Rohrmayer

Rohrmayer equips church members to talk about faith in natural, meaningful ways. He focuses on how to ask good questions, listen well, and find the right moments to share hope. This is an excellent resource for training small groups and hospitality teams in relational evangelism. (For further reading: Spiritual Conversations)

Organic Outreach for Ordinary People: Sharing Good News Naturally

By Kevin Harney

Harney’s book helps everyday Christians integrate outreach into their daily routines. He gives practical strategies to make evangelism “normal” in your home, workplace, and community. For pastors coaching members in personal evangelism style, this book is a must-read. (For further reading: Organic Outreach For Ordinary People)

Eats with Sinners: Reaching Hungry People Like Jesus Did

By Arron Chambers

Using Jesus’ table fellowship as a model, Chambers reminds readers that relationships often begin over meals. He shows how hospitality can become a doorway to evangelism. If your church is growing in its hospitality ministry, this book connects that effort directly to relational evangelism. (For Further Reading: Eats with Sinners)

The Unexpected Adventure: Taking Everyday Risks to Talk with People about Jesus

By Lee Strobel and Mark Mittelberg

This book is full of real-life stories that will challenge and inspire you to look for divine opportunities in daily life. Strobel and Mittelberg show how ordinary conversations can become spiritual adventures. It’s a motivating read for anyone hesitant about sharing faith. (For further reading: The Unexpected Adventure)

Hitchhiker’s Guide To Evangelism

By William Tenny-Brittian

This practical guide helps church leaders equip others for outreach in post-Christian culture. Tenny-Brittian offers adaptable tools for small churches and ministry teams who want to reach their neighborhoods relationally. It’s especially helpful for pastors developing a church-wide evangelism strategy.

Just Walk Across the Room

By Bill Hybels

Hybels emphasizes the power of a simple gesture — walking across the room — to start a meaningful conversation. This book helps believers recognize the Holy Spirit’s promptings and take small relational steps that lead to eternal impact.

I Once Was Lost: What Postmodern Skeptics Taught Us About Their Path to Jesus

By Don Everts and Doug Schaupp

Everts and Schaupp share research on how people today come to faith, especially in a skeptical or postmodern culture. They outline five distinct thresholds people cross on their journey to Christ. This framework helps pastors and small groups understand relational evangelism as a patient, Spirit-led process. (For further reading: I Once Was Lost)

Becoming a Contagious Christian

By Bill Hybels and Mark Mittelberg

A modern classic that helps you discover your personal evangelism style. Hybels and Mittelberg show how every personality — whether bold, relational, or intellectual — has a natural way to share faith. Perfect for small groups or leadership teams ready to equip others in relational evangelism.

Do you want help in Personal Evangelism?

Start here with this MP3 Download on Evangelism Training from the store to help you see where you need to grow.

In this 70-minute MP3 AUDIO recording on personal evangelism you will learn:

• How church invitations are part of evangelism
• How to discover and share your own journey to faith
• What you can say about the gospel message.
• How to personally lead someone to faith in Christ.

It’s a 70-minute audio file that takes just a few minutes to download, but it may help you answer the question:

What can you do in the next 90 days to grow in your evangelism skills?

Buy and Download this MP3 Download