I had something happen to me for the first time since being at my church. I was out visiting some folks, and I came to the last person on my list. This person was a prospect and I had not called beforehand, but I figured I would stop by and say hello. We keep contact with those that are interested in our church. And we take notes on a prospect sheet that enable us as a church to know how much and when we contact them. The last note from a few months back said they were friendly and open to hearing about our church.
Besides, I had my secret weapon with me as well. His name is Jim. Jim is an older gentleman whose copious amounts of energy are barely tolerable. But he’s a great servant of the church, and he loves nothing more than to share his faith…with anyone.
I figured this visit would be congenial. I was wrong. Three milliseconds after saying I was from a church I was recovering from the ringing in my ears from the sound of a door being slammed forcefully in my face.
I looked at Jim, who was accompanying me. He shrugged his shoulders, halfway smiled, and said, “Sometimes they go that way. Let’s see if we can find someone else to talk to.”
When I got back to my office after outreach, I wondered how effective door-to-door evangelism and church visitation are in our current culture. So I did a little research in Internet hinterland. What I came upon interested me.
Apparently, when knocking on doors, people are more open to an invitation to church than to the gospel message. And a good number of people regardless of age are open to church invitations.
But the good news is limited. Only 39% of those who rarely, if ever, go to church are open to door-to-door invitations. So, the ones who are least receptive are the ones that we want to reach.
At our next outreach meeting Jim asked me if I wanted to go door-to-door with him again. Trying to quell his enthusiasm a bit, I told him that only 39% of people may be interested in what we have to say.
He cocked his head and smiled.
“You mean to tell me that at least 4 out of 10 people are actually going to listen to what we have to say?!”
“Yes,” I replied.
“Well, what are we waiting on? Let’s get out there and tell some people about Jesus!”
That evening Jim knocked on six doors. He met a Jehovah’s Witness, four unchurched folks, and one churchgoer. He shared the gospel message twice.
Perhaps the glass really is half full.
What do you think? Have any of you experienced success with door-to-door evangelism? Should you call ahead of time? These are issues with which my church is currently wrestling. What is your insight?
I like Jim!
I love door to door outreach as well as visitation. My entire family was saved as a result of visitation.
Our new church plant does door to door outreach in our community and it seems to work very well. In fact, one of our newest couples now attending our church come as a result of door to door.
I believe that Jesus would have us “GO” into all the world, starting with our neighborhoods and communities. The cults do it, why can’t we be aggressive and do it to. We have so little time left and many souls to win to the Kingdom!!
Stephy - praise God for those who are obedient to the Great Commission. I am encouraged to hear about your salvation as a result of visitation.
Stephy -
The last three sentences you wrote show where your heart is. Keep that flame for evangelism burning bright!
Amen, Stephy. I agree wholeheartedly. (Although, is it really being “aggressive”–or just obedient?) In addition to going to people’s homes, we can also find them in countless public gathering places (like the disciples did). We can very effectively talk with people at malls, parks, fairs, festivals, sporting events, etc. The lost can be found everywhere, and they’re waiting to hear the truth!
If you spend 30 years going door-2-door and only one person every came to saving faith, is it worth it? I guess it really depends on your motive for going door-2-door. There can be more than one good motive for it, but the motives will determine if it is effective(which really is sort of pragmatic type of thinking, more importatn questions would be if it pleases the Lord).
There is an article on my blog in the archives that talks a little about this.
But if your goal is to glorify God by sharing the Gospel then it is very effective. If your goal it to see people come to Christ, it is effective. If your goal is to get people to become members of the church, I am not as sure, but believe it is effective. If your goal is to “go out into the world” and take Christ with you, it is very effective.
I agree with Jim’s passion and I appreciate his dedication but I struggle with his methodology; door 2 door. Let me first concede by saying that door 2 door works. It is a proven strategy. But is it the best? Are we willing to adapt our strategies and methodologies to fit within the cultural context of the present? Past success is no rationale for continued effort.
Hey there Sam! I tell my students door to door is not the only or the best way to share Christ. But it is far better than none! I took an entire class recently out, over 60 total, to knock on doors. Of course I told them we were not going to make visits but to make friends. Out of the approximately 20 teams that went 3 by 3, at least 6 developed enough of a relationship to go be and visit some folks they met again. Including me. And, one person professed Christ that night.
We must increasingly spend more time building relationships and working through issues in an increasingly unchurched culture. But just as Paul went intentionally to areas in order to find the Lydias who were ready (Acts 16) we go to meet strangers in hopes that we can make friends. And then, help our friends to meet Jesus.
I am glad I found your blog. Many blessings.