Who’s Idea Was This Anyway?
September 1st, 2007 by Sonja

It’s a beautiful day up here on “the point.” Temps in the 70’s. A few clouds scudding across the sky. Nice breeze. The lake was filled with sailboats and other boats. It’s the last weekend of the summer. This morning was the last Saturday morning. Coffee on the porch. Anticipation in the air. Some of the leaves are even beginning to turn.

Imagine my surprise when complete strangers appeared on the porch and knocked on the door. A woman in a dress and two girls also in dresses. No one ever dresses like that out here so I knew something weird was up. The woman gave me a fake smile and started in on her pitch. “Are you having a great time out here. Boy, it’s really paradise out here. But have you ever given any thought to what it might be like to have a real paradise?”

O.

MY.

GOD.

Get OFF my porch! Get out of my face! Why are you shoving a piece of paper in my face and trying to convince me of the truths in the Bible on this beautiful morning? Go away and spend this gorgeous day with your family.

But I didn’t actually say any of that.  I spoke around the knot that arose in my stomach.  I smiled.  LightBoy told her he was homeschooled (and we got big gold stars for that).  I tried to be nice and assured her that I read my Bible and didn’t need her tracts. She felt better knowing that I’ll be with her heaven … whereever that is. My soul is safe. Okay.

Has anyone, any one ever done any kind of statistical study on how effective door to door evangelism really is? I mean really? What does it accomplish besides pissing people off. It may “save” one soul … but does that compare to turning 50 people away from church forever? I get the idea of catching that one poor hurting person … but if the cost is 50 people, ummm … I think the price might be too high. Or even if the price is 10 people? What then? Are we willing to condemn 10 people to save one? What’s up with that? That’s doesn’t seem very loving.

So give a look at this video. I have to introduce it … I don’t necessarily condone what this fellow has to say about Mormons. He doesn’t really like them all that well and ummm … he doesn’t hide it. I also don’t necessarily support atheism. But just watch this and open the the walls of the box a little bit. Thanks to Barry at Honest Faith for posting this originally …


5 Responses  
  • Patrick writes:
    September 1st, 20077:56 pmat

    Oh no! You’ve found the hole in my armor! When I was working in a church, mid-20s, fired up like no ones business, creative and passionate, the entire opposite of cynical and burned out, I spent around 4 or 5 months of dedicated time putting together a big team of folks to help design a new way of using the church building. Like an extra evening service but one emphasizing broad leadership, lots of creativity, major amounts of non-staff participation, meant to be a place where folks who weren’t touching base with the church could gather and grow (this was 2001 before extra services became gauche). Two weeks before the big kick off I was sitting in church and there was an announcement. The lead pastor decided to refocus all the ministries and emphasize door to door evangelism. There would be a mandatory class on it for all leaders. At the same time, in the same place as everything I had been planning. I was entirely tossed aside by an announcement during the service. Aack. Needless to say I’ve no fondness for the topic, on top of the reasons you mention.

    Eddie Gibbs had figures on it, which I don’t remember, though I know it’s the least effective method possible. Effectiveness, however, isn’t the point. It’s the martyr’s complex, the feeling of “doing something”, that enhances ones own feeling of participation with God. All the thrill of Godly service, with little of the Spirit’s guidance and pressure.

    I hate being told I should do it, but I generally feel bad for those who come to my door so I usually play along. Let them go through their spiel, adding a bit of my own enthusiasm. I likely should argue doctrinal points I suppose, but I’m never up to it. I just want to listen and be the easy house for their likely hard day.

    Maybe that attitude is why the lead pastor knocked me off to the side. :-)

           
  • kay writes:
    September 2nd, 20079:30 amat

    I used to be a Jehovah’s Witness. I was required to do door to door ministry at least once a month (but it was encouraged to do it weekly).

    It was a pain in the ass.

    As far as I could tell it was not effective at converting anyone. Those that ended up coming into the congregation were usually “obtained” by other means.

           
  • Sonja writes:
    September 3rd, 20077:59 amat

    Patrick …

    I promise to *try* to stop pushing your buttons!! 😉

    I used to do door-to-door evangelism of a different sort. When I first moved to DC, I worked for U.S. PIRG (Public Interest Research Group) … I canvassed door-to-door for them, raising money and the public’s consciousness about issues such as lemon laws, clean water, the Bottle Bill, etc. At the first the young fresh-faced activist in me was thrilled with it. But after several months I couldn’t bear it. I was really good at it and almost always one of the top money makers. But to this day I cannot stand knocking on anyone’s door, even when I’m expected … 20 someodd years later. Gives me the willies.

    So I usually just try to send people on their way very quickly (without being rude) so they can hit another house where they might have more luck.

           
  • Sonja writes:
    September 3rd, 20078:56 amat

    Hi kay …

    Welcome … and thanks for the perspective!!

    You said, Those that ended up coming into the congregation were usually “obtained” by other means.

    Yeah … and there’s something icky about that too. I don’t know why but lately (as in the last 5 to 7 or so years, I just can’t stomach the whole idea of “evangelism.” It feels like selling used cars. I like Brother Maynard’s line … “Live your life, share your faith.” I love the idea that my faith would be expressed in how I live, not what I say. Hopefully, that is so.

           
  • kay writes:
    September 3rd, 20079:22 amat

    It feels like selling used cars.

    I completely agree and was why I chose the word “obtained.” Evangelism of this sort has a sleaze about it that I just can’t stand.

           


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