Door-To-Door Missionaries

[Dondi]

Well you have my admiration Dondi, I am a total extrovert by nature but I couldn't do it. I could stand in front of 4 million people and waffle all day but ask me to knock on a door and I would get chicken and run away.

I understand what you mean here. There must be some dynamic about being in front of an audience as opposed to a one-on-one conversation. In an audience, you're likely to be addressing those who both agree and disagree with you. The comfort of knowing you are preaching to the some of the choir can outweigh the discomfort of speaking to people who are at odds with you.

But when you start off one-on-one with a stranger, you have no idea whether they agree with you or think you are a nutcase. I guess that is the fear of not knowing where the other person stands is the thing that's unnerving.

May I play devils advocate for a moment. Would your time not be better spent talking with people that want to hear about your faith, that want to learn? I post on a forum for Muslims but people that join do so as Muslims, those considering converting and those just interested in learning. Is there nothing like that for you, where you can share the love of G-d with people that are receptive to hearing it?

Believe me, you are no devil, MW.

I have witnessed online before. But it is a rather impersonal approach, imo. There is something about confronting another in person that makes it much more satisfying when one responds positively to the message. When you see the other's heart come alive with joy with the realization that God loves them. You see the change in them. And you rejoice with them. Jesus many times confronted people one-on-one.

I understand what you mean by going to people who have interest, but how are people going to have an interest if they don't even know? Like I said, many I've spoken to just had no idea of what the Bible says about a relationship with God. Nor about the process of salvation. Some have misconceptions of what it's all about, either because they see a false image of Christianity from others that ridicule the faith or were presented with a shallow version. I'm sure you can appreciate this, MW, in light of what many perceive of Islam. My objective is to generate a spark in another person to look at the matter biblically and straightforward and thereby incite ithe interest needed to pursue the matter further.

 

[Dondi]

Mee... You heard the infamous story of the JW door to door? My friend who is an elder said that this lady went to a rapists door (Alone) and she got away without any harm.... and he was caught a day or two after... She went to see him in prison to ask why he didn't invite her in and you know rape her.... He said because there was the other JW guy standing at the end of the garden path looking down to the doorway..... Spooky eh?

That is why we have certain protocols when on visitation. We always go two-by-two for the very reason of protection, both from physical harm and against any one who wishes to slander one of our churchmembers with false accusations. It's good to have another witness. And also ladies go with ladies and the men with men, we never mix teams unless they are husband and wife.

 

[17th Angel]

Yeah... Understand the dangers.... But, there wasn't anyone with her! But the guy says he saw a man standing at the end of the path!!! *Que the twilight music now!*

Don't worry Dondi, do not try to adjust your pc monitor... The signal is fine, we have total control for the next 30minutes..... There is a fith dimension beyond that which is known to man, it is a dimension as vast as space and as timeless as infity...... It is the midle ground between light, and between dark. Between science and between superstition... It lies between the pit of man's fear and the summit of his knowledge... This is the dimension of imagination.... You can unlock this door with the key of imagination, beyond the door lays this dimension of sound, of sight... A dimension of the mind you're moving into a land of shadow and substance... Of things and ideas... You've just crossed over into...... The Twilight zone!$!£"$!£$!£

 

[Dondi]

Yeah... Understand the dangers.... But, there wasn't anyone with her! But the guy says he saw a man standing at the end of the path!!! *Que the twilight music now!*

Don't worry Dondi, do not try to adjust your pc monitor... The signal is fine, we have total control for the next 30minutes..... There is a fith dimension beyond that which is known to man, it is a dimension as vast as space and as timeless as infity...... It is the midle ground between light, and between dark. Between science and between superstition... It lies between the pit of man's fear and the summit of his knowledge... This is the dimension of imagination.... You can unlock this door with the key of imagination, beyond the door lays this dimension of sound, of sight... A dimension of the mind you're moving into a land of shadow and substance... Of things and ideas... You've just crossed over into...... The Twilight zone!$!£"$!£$!£

Ah, I understand now. Bing! Hebrews 13:2, got it!

 

[17th Angel]

That is always an interesting scripture.... (angels pretending to be humans aye?) I am yet to meet one ;/

 

[Dondi]

That is always an interesting scripture.... (angels pretending to be humans aye?) I am yet to meet one ;/

I wonder if they are pretending to be humans. I've yet to meet one also, at least that I'm aware of.

 

[17th Angel]

It would be so clear wouldn't it? There would just be some unreal presence/aura around said person if they were some angelic being.... Awesome...

 

[wil]

I wonder if they are pretending to be humans. I've yet to meet one also, at least that I'm aware of.

Aren't we all? Isn't that why you go door to door. To help the person identify the spark of G!d/Christ within us all?

 

[17th Angel]

Wil, I am sure this will be hard for you to imagine... PRETEND you have no freaking interest in god, and believe 98% there isn't one.... You are there Saturday morning.... Just finished a week of s... work... And just want to rest.... You're laying in. knock knock, knock..... Someone awakens you... You telling me You'd "identify" a spark of god in the strangers at your door? lol... Or would you identify a weak point on the side of their head to spark them out?

OH he played on the words... like electric, liquid dynomiiiiite!

 

[wil]

Wil, I am sure this will be hard for you to imagine... PRETEND you have no freaking interest in god, and believe 98% there isn't one.... You are there Saturday morning.... Just finished a week of s... work... And just want to rest.... You're laying in. knock knock, knock..... Someone awakens you... You telling me You'd "identify" a spark of god in the strangers at your door? lol... Or would you identify a weak point on the side of their head to spark them out?

OH he played on the words... like electric, liquid dynomiiiiite!

quite interesting now...am I now the one who was awoke from overwork or hangover or latenight partying...who 98% doesn't believe G!d exists? If so odds are I wouldn't (If you've read my commentary you know I didn't) see the G!d within them, I didn't see them as angels coming for my benefit. But if they played their cards right and at my verbal abuse, smiled, left a card, a pamphlet, a cd, and said something to the affect of, "Please pass these on to someone who you think may be interested", or "We are here whenever you need us", or "Go with G!d my brother and have a great day, we apologize for interrupting" It may register as nothing as I toss the info in the garbage, I may think of someone to pass it on to, or later I may be telling the story of my encounter when someone says, "What did they give you? Do you still have it?" Regardless a seed was tossed in my direction....upto me to decide what kind of ground I am. Could be it lie dormant for years, decades, prior to sprouting.

Or if I am the door knocker....do I overly concern myself with the 98%? or is it my job to see the 2%?

 

[17th Angel]

So that he believes 2% there is a god? ;\ Seems low... Won't meet your targets going about it like that.... But yeah, I guess I can see what you're saying... IF the person takes something from them he can I guess come back to it or pass it on or whatever ;\

 

[bob x]

Do you know why Jehovah's Witnesses don't like Halloween?

Because they can't stand the thought of strangers knocking on their door!

(Rim shot: badda bing!)

 

[17th Angel]

lmao!!! Oh my my my, that be a doozy

 

[Quahom1]

That is always an interesting scripture.... (angels pretending to be humans aye?) I am yet to meet one ;/

Be careful when dealing with strangers, one never knows when one might be entertaining an angel...

 

[Muslimwoman]

In an audience, you're likely to be addressing those who both agree and disagree with you.

Oh they could all be antiIslamists and I would still get up and speak, I could also speak one on one if invited to do so (I was at the front of the queue when confidence was handed out ).

It is just the idea of invading someones privacy I think, mentally. Maybe that is just the Brit coming out in me? But I see what you mean, I could find a crowd of jeering hate mongers much easier to handle than a single person telling me to sod off, it seems more personal somehow.

I have witnessed online before. But it is a rather impersonal approach, imo.

It does not need to be, you can make it very personal. The site I am registered with has a small profile about you and people contact you that are interested in speaking with you about your faith or conversion. So it is not like a forum where everyone can read what you discuss. It goes through email to begin with but once you get chatting you swap IM addresses, then swap family pictures, talk to peoples children online, etc. It becomes very personal if you befriend them rather than just preach at them. Of course I only do this with women, I do not respond to men that email me but it amazing how quickly you contect witha person this way and teach them about your faith.

I understand what you mean by going to people who have interest, but how are people going to have an interest if they don't even know?

You really are such a treasure Dondi. I don't know what Christianity says about sealed hearts but the Quran says Allah closes some hearts and opens others. No amount of preaching can reach a sealed heart. Perhaps Allah has set them on a different path? We cannot change that. That energy is better spent with people who have a little crack that you can pry open.

My objective is to generate a spark in another person to look at the matter biblically and straightforward and thereby incite ithe interest needed to pursue the matter further.

I most certainly do understand where you are coming from. There are times I want to climb a mountain and shout so the world can hear about Allah, the truth about Him from my perspective that is (can it be truth if it is from my perspective??).

You go for it, I feel sure you will reach many hearts and turn them toward G-d. He is worth our praise and worship.

Salaam my friend

 

[pattimax]

What do you get when you cross a JW with a unitarian?

Someone who knocks on your door, but doesn't know why.

(It fit)

Seriously, I never tried knocking on people's doors.

Before I became a Christian, some people did knock on my door about Christ (I'm not counting JW's), but there was no follow through. I was nice to them, but they never came back. I even called their church the next day to check them out. And then that sorry little church never called back. At the time, it was a black mark against them.
They gave me more ammunition not to become a Christian.

So I guess my point is that if you are gonna do something, do it right. With the right person, knocking on doors could be a lot of fun!

 

[mee]

Do you know why Jehovah's Witnesses don't like Halloween?

Because they can't stand the thought of strangers knocking on their door!

(Rim shot: badda bing!)

LOL
or even because of this following ,

ROOTED IN PAGANISM

Halloween’s roots, although not found in the Bible, can be traced back to a pagan origin. The pre-Christian Egyptians, Greeks and Romans all celebrated a festival for the dead. These ancients believed that on these occasions the spirits of the dead returned; therefore food was left for them and lamps were kept burning so they would not lose their way................ yet another falsehood , Jehovahs witnesses have no part in falsehood .

 

[mee]

Mee... You heard the infamous story of the JW door to door? My friend who is an elder said that this lady went to a rapists door (Alone) and she got away without any harm.... and he was caught a day or two after... She went to see him in prison to ask why he didn't invite her in and you know rape her.... He said because there was the other JW guy standing at the end of the garden path looking down to the doorway..... Spooky eh?

well when it comes to the preaching work, Jesus did say he would be with his followers until the conclusion of the system of things. matthew 28;19-20 . no one can really say it was true or not . and in bible times Angels did protect Gods servants.
(Hebrews 1:14)
(Daniel 3:25)
Daniel 6:22.
(Acts 5:17-24; 12:6-12)
Acts 27:13-24.
2 Kings 6:15-17)
Psalm 34:7; 91:11. but in this time of the end the preaching work is Jesus concern. dont get me wrong i am not saying that bad things dont happen , but no one can say if the thing you mentioned is true or not .

 

[17th Angel]

I know! That is the issue mee... These people... they could be,...... Lying to me..... :| But JW's don't lie!

 

[Dondi]

It does not need to be, you can make it very personal. The site I am registered with has a small profile about you and people contact you that are interested in speaking with you about your faith or conversion. So it is not like a forum where everyone can read what you discuss. It goes through email to begin with but once you get chatting you swap IM addresses, then swap family pictures, talk to peoples children online, etc. It becomes very personal if you befriend them rather than just preach at them. Of course I only do this with women, I do not respond to men that email me but it amazing how quickly you contect witha person this way and teach them about your faith.

Well, I'll have to see about this avenue. I don't spend a whole heck of a lot of time online to begin with. But the internet has become a fascinating place to encounter all kinds of people, as this forum has shone. If I can find such a site like you describe above, I might give it a try.

You really are such a treasure Dondi. I don't know what Christianity says about sealed hearts but the Quran says Allah closes some hearts and opens others. No amount of preaching can reach a sealed heart. Perhaps Allah has set them on a different path? We cannot change that. That energy is better spent with people who have a little crack that you can pry open.

There are some Christian circles that believe that God specifically chooses who will go to heaven and who will not, and that we have no real choice in the matter. I, for one, do not believe as such. I believe we all have a free will to make choices about what we will believe. But I also believe that in order to make that choice, one must be informed. And that is the whole idea about witnessing the Gospel to people. You present them with the idea of God and they are confronted with the choice of whether to believe or not to believe. Jesus went around preaching to all, but not all accepted the message. Many went away. It is very telling when he said, "They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick." If a person sees no need to come to God, then they won't come. But I do not know a person's spiritual condition. I just plant a seed and hope and pray that something takes hold. A person may just not be ready. But maybe in the near future when he realizes he needs God, he will remember our encounter.

I most certainly do understand where you are coming from. There are times I want to climb a mountain and shout so the world can hear about Allah, the truth about Him from my perspective that is (can it be truth if it is from my perspective??).

You go for it, I feel sure you will reach many hearts and turn them toward G-d. He is worth our praise and worship.

Salaam my friend

Thanks, MW, for your encouragement.