Door to Door Envangelism?

matthew11v25 · #1 (**permalink**) 12-27-2007, 01:03 AM

Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses are known for their door to door evangelism. It has always seemed to me as an smart approach, and it seems to be the primary approach that these cults take (the way that their numbers grow...dont get me wrong not saying its about numbers).

What are your thoughts on door to door evangelism?

Perhaps talking with your pastor to get guidance and then taking a brother and going from house to house to those that will listen?

Semper Fidelis · #2 (**permalink**) 12-27-2007, 01:08 AM

I went door-to-door with my Pastor a few times when at an OPC in CA. Some people are actually surprised when a real Christian is knocking at their door. Where we lived in CA there were a lot of JW's and Mormons that came around.

I even had a Roman Catholic come to my door one day trying to spread their news. I left him pretty puzzled when I started challenging him on Chalcedon and trans-substantiation and invited him to return (he didn't).

North Jersey Baptist · #3 (**permalink**) 12-27-2007, 01:24 AM

Matthew, door-to-door is an effective approach so long as you have realistic expectations. I view door-to-door as a means to invite the individual(s) to church rather than to seek a decision on the spot.

Pergamum · #4 (**permalink**) 12-27-2007, 04:01 AM

I am as evangelistic as they come. I want to say that before I begin.

Okay, here goes:

I applaud the motivation that leads many people to go door to door.

And when a church is committed to door to door evangelism, usually that means that they are committed to training the laymen on how to witness usually.

(This is good...especially because many Reformed churches do not mobilize the laymen because they elevate the elders and leadership (good) but they speak of the duties of laymen primarily as listening and obedience in the context of church.)

In the past many good men went door to door. I recall reading about Robert Murray McCheyne and how he actually mapped his entire neighborhood with every single house and wrote down how many tmes he visited and prayed with the people and wrote - to the best of his ability - their spiritual state.

Now THAT'S dedication.

But this was in another time and when communities were closer.

In closer communities this approach - as one approach among many - may work, but I do not see it as being real fruitful in most North American suburban contexts. Maybe small small towns....maybe...

You just become a huge bother to people and the JWs have raised the suspicion level way high.

No one in America likes sales calls and they hate sales visits even worse. We just become a cheap hawker of merchandise if we engage in the same techniques. Many of the techniques taught by experienced door to door guys is the same as salesl techniques, such as the foot in the door technique.

I have done door to door. It was always to invite people to church and to gather prayer requests and pray for people.

To enter someone's home and try to push them into a decision is the utmost in rudeness and makes a bad reputation for all evangelism efforts (self-rightous pushy folks trying to twist your arm and lay on the guilt and not even respecting your own boundaries).

I know that I have always been annoyed by folks knocking on my door. To the best of my ability I have tried to ascertain if they were "the good guys" or not and if they were the good guys I offered to pray for them (and usually still quickly sent them on their way...I don't want to be bothered at times).

One group from a church I knew was really Arminian I invited in and asked them how they were saved and then showed them the Calvinistic verses that spoke of perseverance, unconditional election, etc. They really did not know their stuff. Jesus was knocking but apparently couldn't break down that door if He wanted to... They left visibly angry at me and called me an apostate. I was merely combatting that God is sufficient to save and God has not, in fact, cast one vote for me, the devil was never invited to the election and I was not around either.... THey were not even Arminain, but Pelagian and so I hit them hard.

For JWs I have invited them in to dispute, but after once I read over 3 John again and decided to heed 3 John's commands not even to greet a person spreading lies. So, I told them that they could discuss at the door but no hospitality would be shown to a teacher of hellish doctrines. Sorry if that sounds harsh.

Because door to door is not received well by most Americans, I beleive efforts should be diverted to other means. For instance, Christian radio programs keep lists of callers calling for prayer and when they call they could be asked if they would be open for followup. A booth at a fair or carnival where people can approach and enquire about spiritual things if largely ineffectual too, but at last does not invade privacy or harden people towards any evangelistic witness at all.

My dad still threatens to shoot the JWS that come to his door (he lives out in the boonies) because he has a sign out front that says "No soliciting" He says, "Either you cannot read, but I see you carrying a book, so I have to conclude your a thief, because youre not friend or family..."

We can even solicit God and can make our witness unwelcome is we invade people's privacy.

That being said, it is a legitimate method and fits better in some times and cultures. It does not fit in the USA right now. A man's home is his castle.

The BEST way to evangelize is through your existing web of friends. The Barna Group interviews Christians and the responses of how people are saved reveals that 9 out of 10 people are not saved on Sunday during a sermon but during the week through casual and prolonged conversations with friends and family. 70 were "led to the Lord" by a close friend or relative.

Overseas the stats are the same. A study in Java revealed that official church witness claimed only a few in the reporting. But 70% of Javanese mslm background believers were "led to the Lord" by gentle and prolonged witness by family and friends.

This seems also to be Biblical, since the NT echoes much of this. Plus, the church is, after all, for believers and the Seeker sensitive (sinner sensitive) church - when it uses church to evangelize rather than build up believers turns church into largely a bankrupt effort.

"Cold" witnessing is largely ineffectual. And most of the "results" are due to social pressure or people's inability to say no to anything, even a pushy evangelist hawking his wares.

I urge that people invest their time in "Spiritual Projects" nurturing your family members and friends closely loving them and deliberately showing them grace. You are the best hope that they have of hearing - actually hearing and listening to what you say - about Christ.

But...if you livein a small community or a context that fits...go for it!

Raj · #5 (**permalink**) 12-27-2007, 04:53 AM

It is a good approach and we have got some contacts out of it. Some people were really good to listen but there are times, when some did not welcome us and got very angery on us for spreading the teachings of Christ.

We usually accompany with our youth and members to do this.

toddpedlar · #6 (**permalink**) 12-27-2007, 08:37 AM

I'm sure some are able to make ultimately productive contacts through going door-to-door, but I think ultimately it's a way of giving offense that is unnecessary (and if offense occurs it is probably NOT limited to an offense because of the gospel - but offense because of the intrusion of a stranger onto one's doorstep, which is different)

I can see going door-to-door if you've planted a new church in an area and want to let people know of your presence (though still, the door-to-door salesman model offends I think), but I don't think this is a good primary vehicle for evangelism. We all have more than enough hours in the day in which we are in contact with others in work and social situations. Is that not sufficient mission field? I know a number of people who have gone door-to-door, thinking they've "done their duty" but rarely raise a word or two to their friends and acquaintances about Christ. There's something wrong with that. Instead of door-to-door efforts, I honestly think we need to be equipping our membership to speak freely and openly about their lives in Christ to others - not to do so in "salesman" way (as in "My life is so much better since I became a Christian.") but in an honest and forthright way, speaking about belief and trust as it naturally comes up - as it should, daily, even hourly, with those with whom we live.

Anyway, my tuppence - probably more than enough blabbed.

CaseyBessette · #7 (**permalink**) 12-27-2007, 09:54 AM

You might be interested in this, as it discusses various forms of evangelism:

Biblical Evangelism Today: A Symposium (Philadelphia: The Committee on Christian Education of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, 1954)

Stephen · #8 (**permalink**) 12-27-2007, 10:56 AM

The Protestant Reformed Church in its July 2005 issue of The Standard Bearer had several articles entitled, Equipping Our People For Personal Evangelism. I have never seen anything like it and I would recommend highly. The approach they use is practicing Christian hospitalitly, developing strong covenant families, and fervent prayer. What a novel concept. So many who claim to be Reformed practice "decisional" evangelism, which is nothing more than repackaged Finnyism. I must confess that the hospitality of some Christians in North America is deplorable and many would not know what a covenant family was. Our pagan neighbors practice hospitality better than some members in the visible church. Door to door canvasing is great, but only if you are genuinely interested in people's souls and not after a "decision." Christianity Explored is a more Biblical approach then some of the things that are used today, so I would certainly recommend it to your churches.

BJClark · #9 (**permalink**) 12-27-2007, 11:25 AM

When my oldest daughter was about 5 years old, she wanted everyone in the neighborhood to have a bible..I went out and bought a couple boxes of bible's for about $15 each at the local Bible book store for her..she put the bible's in her wagon and proceeded around the neighborhood giving away bibles.

Only one man commented about it...with a rather gruff voice to her, and asked why she was doing this..she looked at him and said "I want to know everyone in my neighborhood has an opportunity to at least read about God." He said, "Your not going to invite me to your church?" She said "No, I just want you to have God's word." He gave a really puzzled look and we moved on to the next house. When we were walking past there on our way back home he was sitting on his porch reading it, and yelled out to her..."thank you." She smiled and said "your welcome" and continued home.

When I was looking for a new church home after our pastor left, the new pastor had offended many people which brought on a huge split in the church body, he had the nerve to tell many of the elderly in our church they couldn't be christian's because they didn't even know how to read." One of the men told him "I may not be able to READ, but I can certainly have others read it to me, and I've heard many a paastor teach it to me." the pastor asked him..and "How do you know what they said was correct, when you can't even read it on your own to know for sure." But many churches in the area heard about the church split and what was happening..and went out door to door inviting people to their churches...they didn't know WHO went to that church and who didn't..so they just went out and invited everyone...to come and fellowship with them and their church body...and I actually visited a few of them that came and invited me to come and worship with them..I didn't join any of them...but I did take the time to at least visit them..

I invite people to church all the time, I strike up conversations about Christ in the grocery store line (you know where they have all those tabloid magazines) I pick them up read some of the most absurd head lines and make comments..most people will comment back..and a conversation about Christ and what the Bible says typically begins...and I ask where they go to church, some go, some don't..and I extend an invitation to visit our church body sometime..

Our church has an outreach program, that when someone comes to visit our church and fills out the visitors card..someone takes cookies to them later that afternoon..making contact with them, letting them know we are glad they came to visit..then someone else calls and makes an appointment to go visit them sometime during the week...but they don't typically, at least to my knowledge do cold calls (much like sales) going into neighborhoods inviting people in...unless they have a church plant, then a few from our church will go to that area and invite people to come visit...

I personally don't get offended with people coming to my door inviting me to their church, never have...because I know for the most part, they care about peoples souls and they don't know who God is calling to Himself and who He isn't, so they invite everyone they can....and they may be the one God has chosen to use to invite them in...granted some may not look at it that way, and do it as a works based thing...but I know I am that way, I invite others because God prompts my heart to speak up..not with everyone, but He does with many people..and if I don't say something then...I may never get the opportunity to do so again..and I realize even when I speak up..it may be to their salvation or to their damnation...just as God hardened Pharoahs heart, He could be using what I say to harden their hearts..and that is a fearful thing to think about...

Consider all the Pastors standing up proclaiming the Gospel each week from from their Pulpit..and the members of their congregation who are NOT Christians, whose hearts are being hardened against God every week they do not believe it to really be true..they heard but didn't believe..that is a fearful thing..to understand the words they speak on behalf of God will be used to condemn a person for eternity...and those Pastors who get behind a pulpit each week who are not called by God to be there, who are wolves in sheeps clothing and do not really believe God to be GOD..and how their own speech will be used against them..again that is a fearful thing...

Pilgrim's Progeny · #10 (**permalink**) 12-27-2007, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stephen

The Protestant Reformed Church in its July 2005 issue of The Standard Bearer had several articles entitled, Equipping Our People For Personal Evangelism. I have never seen anything like it and I would recommend highly. The approach they use is practicing Christian hospitalitly, developing strong covenant families, and fervent prayer. What a novel concept. So many who claim to be Reformed practice "decisional" evangelism, which is nothing more than repackaged Finnyism. I must confess that the hospitality of some Christians in North America is deplorable and many would not know what a covenant family was. Our pagan neighbors practice hospitality better than some members in the visible church. Door to door canvasing is great, but only if you are genuinely interested in people's souls and not after a "decision." Christianity Explored is a more Biblical approach then some of the things that are used today, so I would certainly recommend it to your churches.

Here is the article and a link to it for those who do not want to search for it or will not. I have not read it's entirety yet, but so far it seems to be well worth the read.:
The Standard Bearer

Quote:

Volume 81, Issue 18
Go Ye Into All the World

Equipping Our People for Personal Evangelism (3)
By Rev. Jaikishin Mahtani
Rev. Mahtani was the eastern home missionary of the Protestant Reformed Churches who has recently taken the call to Bethel PRC. Previous article in this series: May 1, 2005, p. 344.

Godly Christian hospitality, a healthy covenant family life, broader study, and fervent prayer

I would like yet to suggest several practical and concrete ways by which we can help equip our people in personal evangelism.

The first is the exercise of godly Christian hospitality. The word translated "hospitality" in the Greek Scriptures literally means "the love of strangers." God's people are commanded to exercise hospitality! This was done in the Old Testament already: "Love ye therefore the stranger: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt" (Deut. 10:19). Since God has in His mercy drawn us to Himself, we are to have a gracious disposition towards strangers. It is true that we are to exercise hospitality also one to another, as I Peter 4:9 instructs: "Use hospitality one to another without grudging." However, we must not limit the exercise of hospitality to the communion of saints. As children of our Father in heaven, we must show love and mercy to all men, even to our enemies (Matt. 5:44, 45). This we do out of the love of God, who loved us and saved us in His Son.

The parable of the Good Samaritan recorded in Luke 10:30-37 is a good example of such instruction. We must not ask who is my neighbor, but to whom might I be a neighbor? Whom has God placed on the pathway of my life so that I might show him the love of Christ and bring the mercies of Christ with deeds and with gospel words? From my experience, it is much harder to evangelize when we have not established some kind of rapport. True, we might give out an invitation, or we might even debate a certain point of doctrine in the midst of small conversation here and there, but if there is no trust, care, and love, personal evangelism is impossible. Why should our neighbors or our colleagues listen to what we have to say about the holy gospel when in every other sphere we show ourselves unfriendly and inhospitable? But if we show a gracious and hospitable and friendly spirit, the door is usually open to some kind of spiritual conversation.

One of the concerns usually raised is that if we encourage such personal evangelism we stand in danger of encouraging our people to compromise with the world. I believe, however, that there is a proper, biblical way in which we must learn to befriend the stranger, even when such a one may not be a Christian. This is different from establishing a friendship, for our friends must be the people of God. We must not use personal evangelism, for example, as an excuse to enter into a romantic relationship with the unbeliever. This is dangerous and this is wrong. We must beware lest we use personal evangelism as a cloak whilst we pine after the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (I John 2:15-17).

Nevertheless, it is equally wrong to go to the opposite extreme and refuse to do personal evangelism. The call to an anti- thetical life is an intensely spiritual matter. The lines that are drawn must not be physical lines but spiritual lines. We must not live in isolation. We live in this world. God has placed us here for a purpose. We are to be lights in the midst of darkness. We must not use the calling to be antithetical as an excuse not to do personal evangelism.

We must refuse to be "hyper-Calvinist" when it comes to personal evangelism. I firmly believe that our doctrinal stand is in no way hyper-Calvinist. That is oftentimes the false accusation hurled at those who deny the free offer of the gospel. Nevertheless, we must be careful that in our practice we do not put on a hyper-Calvinist attitude and refuse to work with people who come with all kinds of previous baggage. Neither must we be rash in condemning everything and everyone outside of our own denomination. Then we are guilty of making people shy away from the very truth that we claim to treasure and uphold, the truth of God's amazing grace, which humbles the pride of man and teaches us to give glory and gratitude to God alone.

Godly Christian hospitality must extend to strangers, not only to those who are Christian but also to those outside the faith. Again, we must not do this out of any carnal desire to make friends with the world and simply have a good time. We must do this because we know that that is why God has placed us on this earth. In fact, I would say that the only reason—whether at work, school, in the grocery store, or in a restaurant—that God has placed His people in this world is that they might evangelize. This ought to be our motivation. We must walk in love for strangers so that through our faithful testimony others might be won to Christ.

After all, the motivation for all evangelism ought to be love—love for God and love for our neighbor. God has so greatly loved us. He has given His only begotten Son for our salvation. We deserve not that love. Now, out of gratitude to God, we evangelize. We who know the grace of God must be gracious to our neighbor. We who know His bond of friendship ought to be friendly towards others. God does not show us His grace merely in giving us things. He reveals Himself to us and speaks to us His Word of love and mercy. We too must love our neighbor that way. Not only by showing compassion by acts of kindness, but also by speaking the word of the gospel to our neighbors. Jehovah has shown His great love to sinners and has drawn us to His own house; we, His covenant people, must manifest that great love by drawing sinners, even into our homes.

Does that mean we allow the sinner to come in and corrupt our homes? What if he comes cursing and swearing? Clearly, when we make contact with unbelievers, we must ensure that we do so without fellowshipping with their sin. We must be careful not to allow unbelievers to be an ungodly influence on us and on our children. In that regard, we must make sure that we have a healthy covenant family life if we are to do personal evangelism within our homes. This, as we shall see next, is one of the most powerful ways to do the work of personal evangelism.

We must be sure that the purpose of our contact is to bring them the gospel by a godly witness. When one enters into our home who is either an unbeliever or yet un-Reformed in his thinking, our prayer and our hope is that our covenant life and testimony might be a good influence to him. We do not condone the taking of God's name in vain or any other corrupt act. We let such a one know that if he insists on displaying his sin in our home, he is not welcome back. But we have found that if this is done with love and not with condemnation, the stranger goes away impressed. Such a one is welcome back, if at least while in our home he behaves! And the door is open to personal evangelism. At other times, such a one does not wish to return, or closes the door to further communication. Then, because he has clearly rejected our hospitality (and only then) we know that we must not "cast our pearls before swine."

The Word of God never returns to Him void. It always performs a twofold work. It draws the elect, but it also hardens the reprobate. This takes place not only under the preaching of the Word, but also through the personal witness of the saints. We must know that, so that we do not always expect and look only for positive fruit. Sometimes God may be pleased to use us to expose error and to show the unbeliever the error of his way. But always we must bring the Word of God with fear and sincerity, refusing either to change the message or present it in a sinful way.

One of the hindrances to personal evangelism is that we (all of us) naturally desire to remain within our own comfort zones. It is easier to have conversations with those of the same background, whether that be faith or culture. It is easier to invite those into our homes with whom we agree and who probably would invite us into their homes. But in personal evangelism we must be willing to put away those selfish thoughts and extend hospitality to those who might disagree with us and who might be very different from us.

There are many peoples in our neighborhoods that are different from us. We do not necessarily have to reach these "nations" by going abroad. Yes, we must do foreign missions too, but we must begin here at home. There are so many nationalities in this country, especially in the larger cities. Several of our congregations are located in or near those cities. It is important that our people be equipped to do personal evange lism with them by adorning a hospitable spirit.

Officebearers must take the lead in this, since this is one of the qualifications listed in God's Word for an officebearer. Romans 12:13: "Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality." I Timothy 3:2: "A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach." Our preachers, elders, and deacons must take seriously the calling to love strangers so that we might equip our people to the task.

The church is like a hospital: when visitors come, they must be treated like patients in need of help; the doctors and nurses are the officebearers, and all God's people are volunteer helpers. Together they must exercise much patience (unlike the regular doctor's office, hospital, or clinic, where we patients need to wait and wait patiently for a doctor or nurse). And why so? Because some of the visitors at the church might be elect sheep! They must not be despised or sent away without treatment; they must be received and welcomed and instructed and healed. The only medicine is the Word of God, and the only Physician is Christ, and the only Applicator is the Holy Spirit! But God our Father uses His children to draw His other children, and He does that by instructing us to be lovers of strangers!

Of course, as we exercise this hospitality we must balance that with a godly covenant family life. This is another concrete way to do personal evangelism. We must never forget the command of God to love our spouses and give godly instruction to our children. We must not only have the love of strangers in our hearts but also the love of our own family and especially our covenant children. This aspect of personal evangelism must be remembered. We are a powerful testimony to others by the way we treat our spouses and our children. If we maintain, for example, the sanctity of marriage as a lifelong bond that cannot be broken except by death, we must make sure that we dedicate time and prayer in maintaining those marriages so that in that way we are personally witnessing to the truth. If we maintain that God establishes His covenant with us and our children unconditionally, then we must raise our children in His fear and discipline them when they walk contrary to His Word. This aspect of the covenant is emphasized in our churches—we bring our children with us to worship, we send them to Christian schools, we promote godliness among our youth, and we are constantly reminded of these obligations in the preaching.

However, it is important to remind our people that this focus on the covenant ought not to be pitted against evangelism. The two are not opposite and contrary callings. We must recognize the unity of both those callings so that we promote a healthy balance. We may not be so busy with evangelism that we neglect our children. Neither must we focus only on our children and say we have no time for missions. We must seek both the preservation and the increase of God's church (Lord's Day 48 on the second petition: Thy kingdom come). We must not bring home all our missionaries so that our pulpits can be filled. Both the building up of our church and the spread of the gospel are callings we must take seriously, and never at the expense of each other. Here is where oftentimes we need prayerfully to seek a good balance.

After all, the father of all believers, Abraham, to whose spiritual seed God promised the covenant, was also made the father of many nations (Gen. 17). The apostle Peter, in Acts 2:39, reminded God's people that the promise was unto them and to their children, but he did not forget to add that that same promise was to those afar off! Both from within our loins and from outside, God is pleased to call as many as have been ordained to eternal life. Therefore I say that a godly covenant home life, coupled by a godly love for strangers, will serve as an effective tool for personal evangelism. We ought to equip our people to realize the unity of those callings.

This leads us to the next practical and concrete way we can equip our people: it is the way of study: careful, serious, broad, and comprehensive study. We have many good sermons, books, and pamphlets to help equip our people for personal evangelism. However, most of these sermons, books, and pamphlets at the disposal of our people address listeners who are Reformed or at least have some sort of Christian background. It would be good if we could develop some soundly Reformed and biblical messages, tracts, pamphlets, and books that our people could use to present the gospel of grace to non-Christians or non-Reformed contacts.

It is not that such material is unavailable. I am sure that if we search, we will find some excellent material that our people can use. Besides work done by our own ministers, other organizations and other denominations have also produced such material. We could avail ourselves of them. The distinctive positions we hold are missing in those books and pamphlets, but we should not be so afraid that we are unwilling to read and research.

I believe that one of the greatest hindrances to personal evangelism is our own lack of knowledge or our fear of approaching someone of a different background. We realize that we could be embarrassed, or be put on the defensive. The solution is study—broader and careful study of other religions and cults so that we can present the truths of the gospel over against the false teachings of man. Our churches could equip the saints in this by providing a good library for them. Our churches could help further to equip our people by requesting our professors to do some writing, keeping in mind those who are outside the faith or are un-Reformed in their thinking.

Our churches could also equip our people in personal evangelism by giving their missionaries a sabbatical so that they can be relieved for a season from active mission work and devote themselves to writing such material for the benefit of our people.

Above all, I think preachers and elders can encourage our people to read. Read the Bible, read good, solid, Reformed books, read good magazines—all this to be kept informed so that personal evangelism becomes a joy and not a burden. Study to give good answers in a godly way. Study and be prepared so that we might speak the truth in love.

Finally, of course, we must emphasize prayer: the work and the fruit is the Lord's! We must ourselves pray, and we must ask the saints to pray! We must pray for the work of evangelism, and we must remember to pray for newcomers, each and every one of them. We must learn to begin the day praying: "Lord, make me ready to speak a word of truth to the neighbor that is put on my path." Jesus said that the harvest is plenteous but the laborers few; He did not tell us that due to this reality we should try all kinds of new methods! Neither must we begin to worry when we see vacant pulpits, or begin to complain that we have too much mission work to do. No! We are to pray! We must look to the Lord of the harvest that He might send forth laborers into His harvest!

We must examine ourselves, seeking to improve, and that is good. But we must not forget to pray! Let us equip our people by praying for them and asking them to pray for the preaching, to pray for more preachers, to pray for our elders and deacons. Let us urge our young people to consider prayerfully the ministry themselves! When we face difficulties in missions due to lack of money, time, or manpower, and when God's people ask how they should deal with this or that hurdle in personal evangelism, let us never forget to remind them: whatever you do, do not forget to pray!

May God grant us grace to take heed to ourselves and to the flock, also in regard to personal evangelism, through humble prayer. May we take the prayer of the psalmist upon our lips: "God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us; Selah. That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations."

matthew11v25 · #11 (**permalink**) 12-27-2007, 04:58 PM

thank you all for your input thus far. I agree that evangelism in general should stay away from the "make a decision"/ close the sale call mentality.

North Jersey Baptist · #12 (**permalink**) 12-27-2007, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matthew11v25

thank you all for your input thus far. I agree that evangelism in general should stay away from the "make a decision"/ close the sale call mentality.

Matthew, I'm a salesman by trade. I don't peddle the gospel, but if you have extra money in your pocket I have this length of white hair for sale that I found on the floor of a barber shop in Wisconsin.

white hair.jpg

Ivan · #13 (**permalink**) 12-27-2007, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BaptistInCrisis

Quote:

Originally Posted by matthew11v25

thank you all for your input thus far. I agree that evangelism in general should stay away from the "make a decision"/ close the sale call mentality.

Matthew, I'm a salesman by trade. I don't peddle the gospel, but if you have extra money in your pocket I have this length of white hair for sale that I found on the floor of a barber shop in Wisconsin.

Attachment 81

Would that happen to be Janesville, Wisconsin?

Semper Fidelis · #14 (**permalink**) 12-27-2007, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matthew11v25

thank you all for your input thus far. I agree that evangelism in general should stay away from the "make a decision"/ close the sale call mentality.

Yeah, just to put everybody's concerns to rest that the only thing that an OPC Pastor and I were doing was getting folks to "make a decision", we didn't do that.

Rather, we would walk up to their door and tell them: "We don't drink alchohol because we don't want to stumble a weaker brother."

Several were cut to the heart and said: "What must we do to be saved?!"

Pilgrim · #15 (**permalink**) 12-27-2007, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StaunchPresbyterian

You might be interested in this, as it discusses various forms of evangelism:

Biblical Evangelism Today: A Symposium (Philadelphia: The Committee on Christian Education of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, 1954)

That report is an eye opener. Most unbelievable of all is that it recommends contacting the ACLU if you run into legal problems! The ACLU always had a secularist agenda, but I guess they may not have been quite as strident with it back then.

Pilgrim · #16 (**permalink**) 12-27-2007, 08:21 PM

I wonder what kind of connection there was between American households getting TV's and the decline of tolerance for door to door calls, whether religious or commercial.

Regardless, my thinking is that the Mormons and JW's wouldn't keep doing it if it didn't work. In many neighborhoods it is prohibited though. Also harder to do in rural areas.

calgal · #17 (**permalink**) 12-27-2007, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pilgrim