Reaching neighbours

The value of churches having regular visiting teams going out with the gospel cannot be over-emphasised.

It is effective and not as difficult as many believe. Through visiting we meet people of all age-groups, and, given time and patience, we can gain their confidence and forge friendships with those who are interested to look into the Christian faith. Contact will be made with hundreds who do not attend church services.

What to take

We should be prepared to make notes using a notebook or assignment card. Bibles should be small and kept ready for use in pocket or bag. Suitable literature and Scriptures selected for distribution will have been read beforehand*. Leaflets about your church are essential as a means of identification, and can be given to those who express an interest.

Teams and assignments

Visiting is best carried out in pairs, and it will be necessary to decide in advance who will speak when the door opens. Someone with previous experience should be paired with an inexperienced or young Christian. An assignment to visit certain homes will be issued and should not be exceeded, or overlapping might occur,

On the way

Don't take short cuts across gardens. Keep to the paths.
Avoid chatting while at the door, someone may overhear.
Don't peer through windows.

When the door opens

Don't forget to smile! Then say something like: 'Good evening, we are visiting for . . . . . . . . church' and offer the church leaflet. If a pre-visit letter has been used, some spare copies should be carried. Then briefly explain the purpose of the visit, and be watchful for the way people respond. If they do not wish to talk accept the fact graciously and politely leave.

Encourage conversation

With those who want to talk encourage conversation by asking questions like 'Do you ever attend church?' or 'Do you have a Bible in your home?' and 'How often do you read it?' Other questions may be introduced like: 'Do you ever think about your relationship with God?' but do not bombard people with questions.

It is useful to remember that questions beginning with the letter 'w' demand more than 'yes' and 'no' answers, and are therefore more likely to promote conversation (e.g. Why, Who, What and Where). Therefore we might ask: 'Who do you think Jesus was?' or 'Why do you think Jesus came?' These kind of questions are designed to lead into discussion about the Lord, which, of course, will be the aim of the work where possible.

But the golden rule is: don't do all the talking! Let people speak about their religious views or their doubts and be sympathetic to their problems. Remember it is often necessary to earn the right to be heard.

Some do's and don'ts

Don't argue (see 2 Timothy 2.23-26).
Don't condemn people or set out to criticise other religions or denominations.
Don't pretend to know all the answers, but do offer to find out.
Don't overstay your welcome. It is better to leave too soon rather than stay too long.

God gives opportunities

Don't be unduly concerned when people are not interested. Many will accept literature, and we will simply be sowing seed. The Holy Spirit will particularly open up some conversations. Some will be genuinely seeking a faith in God, and others will take interest for a variety of reasons. These are the God-given opportunities to look out for in visiting.

Keeping records

As visiting proceeds, it is good to jot down one or two notes about conversations before the essential facts are forgotten, but this must be done discreetly. The information can be more fully written up back at base. Do not divulge matters given in confidence, unless you have been given permission to tell a church leader in order to provide help. The importance of carefully-organised follow-up of all worthwhile contacts cannot be too strongly stressed.

Remember to pray

This is a spiritual work. Know your Bible and the essential truths of the gospel message. Pray before going out, and continue to pray for those in need and those who express interest. Believe that people will come to faith in Christ as a result of the visits and literature left in the homes.

As a mission at work in the UK, Home Evangelism can give advice on house to house outreach through its team of evangelists, and visit your church to provide training. Please contact Home Evangelism, Tyndale House, 3 Grange Road, Egham, Surrey TW20 9QW (tel. 01784 432558).

*Scripture portions:
Scripture Gift Mission, Radstock House, 3 Eccleston Street, London SW1W 9LZ. Tel. 020 7730 2155.

Evangelistic literature:
Christian Publicity Organisation, Garcia Estate, Canterbury Road, Worthing, West Sussex BN13 1BW. Tel. 01903 264 556.

Some practical steps for house-to-house visiting