I have been interested in doing more outreach as a member of my church. This past year (and I think even before) I have become interested in doing evangelism so I decided to try to get involved in a nascent evangelism group at my church. Since it just started it has not been very active and it is evident that we are still unsure how to go about doing it. So the past two Sundays I have done some door to door evangelism with some friends who are doing it with other churches. I have mixed feelings about door to door evangelism. It seems to emphasize the power of the Word, but on the other hand it seems to impersonal; but it has been a good place to start so far. There haven’t been any conversions yet. Some people have been interested in listening to the gospel, others have been very terse and not very open (literally–some people barely open there doors), and we have also met quite a few people who seem to be Christians.
Today, I went with a friend to a certain neighborhood in Chattanooga (in Eastridge). Most people were either “too busy” or not at home. One exciting thing for me, though, is that one of the persons we visited was a hispanic who didn’t understand English very well, so I was able to use my Spanish. He was very nice and welcomed us into his house almost as soon as I began speaking in Spanish. He said he went to a pentecostal church downtown Chattanooga, that he believed in Jesus, and that He had changed his life. I asked him questions to try to discover what his particular beliefs were, but his answers were somewhat vague; but he allowed me to share what I believed and he said that we could come back whenever we like.
The last person we met was an older man, perhaps in his late fifties. He said that he believed in God and Jesus and that he was a born-again Christian; but he also said that he wasn’t married but his girlfriend lived at home with him. He also said that he was going through rough times because he was having difficulty with his son. He seemed sad. Just before we left we asked if we could pray for him and he said we could. After we prayed for him he said that he appreciated it.
I felt so inadequate and inept and that there was so much more I should have said to people. I am confident though that God can and will use our work even if it is in a very small way.
Incidentally, what do you all think about door to door evangelism?
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
It seems to me that the more Christian a culture is, the better door-to-door methodology works. That’s because most people in that culture “know better” and are more likely to respond to the prompting of someone knocking on their door. However, in the postmodern world…and in the younger generation, this method lacks relationship. This makes door-to-door seem cold, impersonal, agenda-driven. Postmodern people want relationship – not confrontation over truth. And so as a method, I think this one will continue to slowly die away in the Western world. The challenge will be to confront with truth in the midst of relationship. Actually, the bigger challenge will be just the relationship itself. Most Christians are too busy with church to have time to build effective relationships with non-Christians (just my opinion).
Alan’s statement is in agreement with what I told you before. I do think it’s good experience to get out there and try it, though.