Door to door witnessing

[Willie T]

And did you go for breakfast?

No, I was helping with the breakfast we were serving at our own church.

 

[Triumph1300]

No, I was helping with the breakfast we were serving at our own church.

Competition? ;-)

 

[Willie T]

Competition? ;-)

Not really. I think they were Methodists — not my thing, at all. And besides, the church we were attending at the time was even in another city.

 

[brakelite]

Our pastor just this morning related a story from when he was first given his church to care for, and decided that he would visit door to door this new community. After knocking on numerous doors, and having only a very few answer the door, and those that did clearly not trusting him one little bit, finally discovered after many attempts, the reason for his lack of success. He came across someone he knew, and after being questioned, this friend informed the new pastor what the problem was. This was an opal mining community. The tax department had just sent over 20 tax collectors into the area looking for dodgers.

 

[Helen]

Our pastor just this morning related a story from when he was first given his church to care for, and decided that he would visit door to door this new community. After knocking on numerous doors, and having only a very few answer the door, and those that did clearly not trusting him one little bit, finally discovered after many attempts, the reason for his lack of success. He came across someone he knew, and after being questioned, this friend informed the new pastor what the problem was. This was an opal mining community. The tax department had just sent over 20 tax collectors into the area looking for dodgers.

Oh good one!!

~ .~ .

 

[Enoch111]

So, is it effective to witness to strangers at their home with tracks?

You meant tracts, and the answer is "perfectly acceptable, but the effectiveness is not in the hands of those who distribute tracts".

 

[Stranger]

You meant tracts, and the answer is "perfectly acceptable, but the effectiveness is not in the hands of those who distribute tracts".

A friend of mine years ago was very involved in tract ministry. We would go to a cafe for breakfast and he would pull out several napkins from the napkin holder and place a tract, and then put the napkins back in. You wouldn't know who got the tract but you leave it to God. And, any mail he received where they provided a postage paid envelope for response, he would place a tract in it and send it back. One can get pretty innovative.

Stranger

 

[Willie T]

A friend of mine years ago was very involved in tract ministry. We would go to a cafe for breakfast and he would pull out several napkins from the napkin holder and place a tract, and then put the napkins back in. You wouldn't know who got the tract but you leave it to God. And, any mail he received where they provided a postage paid envelope for response, he would place a tract in it and send it back. One can get pretty innovative.

Stranger

I can't think of much more deceptive ways to turn off honest people to God than what you just described.

 

[Helen]

I can't think of much more deceptive ways to turn off honest people to God than what you just described.

A few decades ago we were taught that that was "the way to go."
But who knows. Just like those who paid for and dispensed the Gideon Bibles in all the hotel and motels. Only God knows the hearts that were touched. In my life I have heard of two men different men who were saved in their hotel room by reading the Gideon...
One 'unto salvation' and the other from suicide.

If God could use a donkey for Balaam .........?

 

[Willie T]

A few decades ago we were taught that that was "the way to go."
But who knows. Just like those who paid for and dispensed the Gideon Bibles in all the hotel and motels. Only God knows the hearts that were touched. In my life I have heard of two men different men who were saved in their hotel room by reading the Gideon...
One 'unto salvation' and the other from suicide.

If God could use a donkey for Balaam .........?

Gideon Bibles in a motel room are hardly the same thing.

 

[aspen]

Gideon Bibles in a motel room are hardly the same thing.

They are just as impersonal

 

[Willie T]

They are just as impersonal

I don't even mind "impersonal". There is a particular billboard in St. Pete that has always had religious things on it. But that tract stuff he mentioned is just plain sneaky... IMO not God's way of doing things.

 

[Helen]

Gideon Bibles in a motel room are hardly the same thing.

~. ~.

 

[aspen]

My issue with handing out tracts is that it only gratifies the person handing out the tract....it is mechanical and low risk, and tells nothing about a personal relationship.

If you are going to share the most important relationship you have ever experienced....we better have a close relationship......same norm applies when discussing your relationship with your spouse.

 

[Helen]

My issue with handing out tracts is that it only gratifies the person handing out the tract....it is mechanical and low risk, and tells nothing about a personal relationship.

If you are going to share the most important relationship you have ever experienced....we better have a close relationship......same norm applies when discussing your relationship with your spouse.

Yes, totally agree...but many "baby Christians" are started out that way. For us it was only a few months...then we did Friday nights Pub and Bar evangelism ...not that anyone wanted to hear what we had to say .
And we were amazed that the Bar man always let us go in and talk to people...and because we did it for 5 years the Barman seemed happy to see us when we came in

But..fruitful? No idea..only God knows that! ha!

 

[Stranger]

I can't think of much more deceptive ways to turn off honest people to God than what you just described.

We wern't looking for honest people. We were looking for sinners who needed Jesus Christ. Sorry your holiness was insulted.

Stranger

 

[Stranger]

I don't even mind "impersonal". There is a particular billboard in St. Pete that has always had religious things on it. But that tract stuff he mentioned is just plain sneaky... IMO not God's way of doing things.

(2 Cor. 12:16) "But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile".

That 'tract stuff' has saved many a soul. It provides many avenues of distribution. Christians should use them and distribute them however they can. If you are too above that, then don't do it.

Stranger

 

[Stranger]

My issue with handing out tracts is that it only gratifies the person handing out the tract....it is mechanical and low risk, and tells nothing about a personal relationship.

If you are going to share the most important relationship you have ever experienced....we better have a close relationship......same norm applies when discussing your relationship with your spouse.

You can hand out tracts and witness about Jesus Christ at the same time. Many and varied are the ways to distribute tracts. No, you do not need a close relationship with an individual to witness to them. That's a bunch of bull. You just witness. Who cares about your spouse? I am talking about witnessing, not marital counseling.

The power of the Gospel is the Gospel. Not you. The tract presents the Gospel. (Rom. 1:16) And yes the one handing out the tract and presenting the Gospel is gratified as he is doing the work that God wants him to do.

Stranger

 

[brakelite]

If we are going to write off any witness that doesn't have a deep personal relationship as a component, then we need to write off this forum, TV ministry, radio ministry, billboards, advertising,....

 

[aspen]

If we are going to write off any witness that doesn't have a deep personal relationship as a component, then we need to write off this forum, TV ministry, radio ministry, billboards, advertising,....

I am comfortable with that.