Our church is beginning a series through Philippians on Advancing the Gospel. Ultimately we learn about evangelism and missions by actually doing evangelism and missions. It’s kind of like fishing—you can read all of the fishing books in the world but until you actually cast a line into the water you’ll never catch a fish. Evangelism is the same way—we can have all of the training in the world and if we never venture out in faith to share the wonders of Jesus, then we’ll never truly be fishers of men.
At the same time there is nothing wrong with being equipped. Here are the best books that I’ve found to equip and inspire believers to do evangelism/missions:
Inspire:
Let the Nations be Glad by John Piper
A Holy Ambition by John Piper
Radical by David Platt
Revival and Revivalism by Iain Murray
Memoirs and Remains of Robert M. McCheyne
Equip:
Tell the Truth by Will Metzger
Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God by JI Packer
The Gospel and Personal Evangelism by Mark Dever
The School of Biblical Evangelism by Comfort and Cameron
Evangelism Handbook by Alvin Reid
Speaking of Jesus by Mack Stiles
What would be on your list?
Without a doubt, the number one book for someone like me (concerned about the details of engaging and dealing with doubt/unbelief) would be “Tactics” by Greg Koukl: http://www.amazon.com/Tactics-Game-Discussing-Christian-Convictions/dp/0310282926
On the foundation that these books (you’ve listed) provide, Tactics has given me with street-level details of how to winsomely and confidently engage in conversations with skeptics. Sounds like the publisher paid me to write that! But I can’t speak highly enough of Greg and his commitment to helping people think clearly about ways to share the gospel.