Meet the Engel Scale

Years ago, James Engel introduced a scale that shows the different levels of receptivity a person goes through in their relationship to Christ. The Engel Scale helps us to see evangelism as a journey, moving people from no knowledge or awareness of God to becoming fully devoted followers of Christ. We have often seen the back end of this journey--discipleship--as a process, but failed to see the front end of the journey as a process as well.

More recently, Paul Hazelton has modified the scale to update it into today's society. Click on this link to see it: http://www.hazelden.org.uk/pt02/art_pt068_modified_engel_full.htm

If we lived in an area (or maybe I should say “era”) where everyone was a -4 or -3 then we could just share the gospel and see pretty positive results. However, I think we are all aware that we mingle among people who are at all different levels of the scale, beginning at -12 on up.

All of us understand that evangelism is a process that is highly individualized. We need to recognize where a seeker is on the scale and develop ways to move them to the next level. Another important thing we need to consider is that it will take some time, depending on where they are on the scale. The further down they are, the longer it may take. We must help our church members to "not faint in well doing" as they create and strengthen friendships with people who are not believers. We must also help them to understand that they may not see the fruits of their efforts but they are still an important cog in the machinery of helping transport that person to the next level.

That is why the value of Sunday School class fellowships are so important and making sure that your class members are bringing their non-believer friends to those times of fun and fellowship. It is in those times of fellowship where they experience the love of God and begin to differentiate between their life-style and the life-style of a believer (and, hopefully, it's a more pleasant one!).

Make it a goal for your Sunday School classes to provide ample opportunities for your members to develop relationships with prospects and make sure they are equipped to know what to do when God opens the door for the gospel to be received in the life of a non-believer.

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