As a Catholic have you ever

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Gone door to door to evangelize? Do you want to? Would you consider it?

What would you say to a…

Jehovah Witness

Mormon

Baptist

Lutheran

Could you handle the slamming of the doors?
 
A few years ago our parish was conducting a census. We were tasked to visit each home in our neighborhood. It was very taxing and I would not do that again. Its very intrusive. I am comfortable speaking with anyone about the faith but there are other ways to initiate the conversation. When JW come to my door, I am very cordial. I do take immediate control of the conversation and steer it accordingly. I begin with asking them questions about why are they JW, ask them the history, and usually disrupt them completely when I explain how their translation of scripture is in direct contradiction with my faith and that no discussion is possible. Which is true…at least with Baptist, Methodist, their is some common beliefs to discuss.
 
PBP said:
A few years ago our parish was conducting a census. We were tasked to visit each home in our neighborhood. It was very taxing and I would not do that again. Its very intrusive. I am comfortable speaking with anyone about the faith but there are other ways to initiate the conversation. When JW come to my door, I am very cordial. I do take immediate control of the conversation and steer it accordingly.
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I want to be ready for situations like those, ie when I encounter someone who is talking about religion. Anyone have any tips?
 
I was planning to tag along with 2 guys from a local Legion of Mary group to go door to door. I don’t think I would say anything but to be with the guys to learn.
 
Yes, I have gone door-to-door evangelizing many times. I organize a twice-a-year door-to-door campaign for my parish. Interestingly, we’ve never had a door slammed in our faces, and we’ve gone to about 2,000 houses in the past few years. In fact, when people realize we’re Catholic, they are usually relieved we’re not Mormon or JW and listen to what we have to say. 🙂

I’ve had both JWs and Mormons come to my house in the past. In each case, I let them give their “pitch” then I start asking them questions about whatever it is that they said. I typically guide the questions in such a way that we begin to discuss the authority of the Bible and where the Bible comes from - I have found very few people know the history of the development of the canon. Since the Bible is a common authority, I figure its good to focus on that.

I actually had one Mormon pair visit me about 5-10 times over three or four months. They brought two of their bishops over that time, but eventually gave up on me as they realized I was just trying to convert them to Catholicism.
 
I have never done the door to door thing. I may just be lazy, but I wouldn’t want to do that. But, when the door to door evangelizers come to my house, I invite them in or we sit outside at a big table we have and we talk. Sometimes I give them refreshments, other times they refuse them, but we discuss Christianity. They always seem a bit put off their game when I excuse myself for a minute and return with bible and Catholic apologetic books and pamplets in hand. We then go over what they are telling me with the Catholic response. Sometimes they leave a bit offended, other times they will return to further discuss theology. We always keep it civil, and respectful, and I enjoy it. I doubt if I made any conversions, but I know I gave them some food for thought. Pax Christi
 
eric_sammons said:
Yes, I have gone door-to-door evangelizing many times. I organize a twice-a-year door-to-door campaign for my parish. Interestingly, we’ve never had a door slammed in our faces, and we’ve gone to about 2,000 houses in the past few years. In fact, when people realize we’re Catholic, they are usually relieved we’re not Mormon or JW and listen to what we have to say. 🙂

I’ve had both JWs and Mormons come to my house in the past. In each case, I let them give their “pitch” then I start asking them questions about whatever it is that they said. I typically guide the questions in such a way that we begin to discuss the authority of the Bible and where the Bible comes from - I have found very few people know the history of the development of the canon. Since the Bible is a common authority, I figure its good to focus on that.

I actually had one Mormon pair visit me about 5-10 times over three or four months. They brought two of their bishops over that time, but eventually gave up on me as they realized I was just trying to convert them to Catholicism.
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:rotfl: That rocks!
 
Howdy Y’all
I haven’t ever gone door to door, however I could do it as part of a group w/ someone who had experience doing it. (It can’t be much harder than trying to explain to my 17 year old daugther & my wife why Mass is important and explain that Jesus dearly and passionately loves them.
Anyway, back on topic, if folks slammed doors in my face…I am the age (48) that it would not bother me very much. I’m starting to get like Fr. Caripi he doesn’t give a rats rear what you think, he is telling you the Truth; nothing more nothing less.

I too have had Mormons come to my door, I just kept steering the conversation toward the Church Fathers and asking them to read the Fathers for themselves…they haven’t been back although I wouldn’t mind trying to convert them to the REAL CHURCH!!

Anyway, I for one am a re-vert to the Church I never really left BUT I never knew how rich the Catholic Church really is. Once your heart is enlightened to that fact watch out…you will want to do all those churchy things you used to think were only for fanatics.

I LOVE JESUS
I LOVE JESUS
I LOVE JESUS

jay
 
If I was to go door-to-door evangelizing, it would take the form of raking leaves, mowing lawns, stuff like that.

There is a story from the Russian Philokalia about two monks. The older of the two monks said that they were going to go down into the local village and evangelize. The two monks went to the village and walked around. They meet with people, talked to them, asked about their life. After a few hours the older monk told the younger monk that it was time to go back. As they were walking back, the younger monk turned to the older one and said, “Father when are we going teach the people?” The older monk replied, “We just did.”
 
Binary,

That is a great point - all our actions are evangelization. But we have to be careful not to be either/or on this (or “binary”, if you will :)). We are sometimes called to explicitly preach the gospel with our words as well as our actions. Going door-to-door or to the streets to tell people the good news about Jesus Christ is something many people are called to do, but because of embarrassment or fear they do not. There are so many hurting people out there that need to have someone tell them directly - “Jesus loves you and in the Catholic Church you can come to know that love in a deep and intimate way.” As St. Paul says,
It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
(Ephesians 4:11-13)
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eric_sammons said:
Binary,

That is a great point - all our actions are evangelization. But we have to be careful not to be either/or on this (or “binary”, if you will :)). We are sometimes called to explicitly preach the gospel with our words as well as our actions. Going door-to-door or to the streets to tell people the good news about Jesus Christ is something many people are called to do, but because of embarrassment or fear they do not. There are so many hurting people out there that need to have someone tell them directly - “Jesus loves you and in the Catholic Church you can come to know that love in a deep and intimate way.” As St. Paul says,
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Also a good point. As you pointed out, I tend to see things in terms of either-or (a failing, not something I’m proud of), hence the handle I chose.
 
Binary said:
If I was to go door-to-door evangelizing, it would take the form of raking leaves, mowing lawns, stuff like that.

There is a story from the Russian Philokalia about two monks. The older of the two monks said that they were going to go down into the local village and evangelize. The two monks went to the village and walked around. They meet with people, talked to them, asked about their life. After a few hours the older monk told the younger monk that it was time to go back. As they were walking back, the younger monk turned to the older one and said, “Father when are we going teach the people?” The older monk replied, “We just did.”
Click to expand...
Wasn’t the older monk Saint Francis of Assisi?
 
You are thinking of St. Francis’ famous quote: “Preach the Gospel always. When necessary, use words.”

It is a similar sentiment, but not the same story.
 
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