Evangelizing Door to Door

[PietroPaolo]

Hi guys,

I had an interesting experience last night. I was approached by a door to door insurance salesman who I ended up talking with for a couple hours. Hours after he left it occurred to me that I had missed a great opportunity to evangelize (I talk in more detail about the situation on my blog).

I’m wondering if anyone has tried to use a door to door sales pitch as an opportunity to spread the Good News about Christ and His one holy Church. And if so, how did it go? I’m hoping to try to use the next time someone rings my bell to introduce them to Christ. It’s not quite as intimidating as pounding on doors (ala the Mormons or JWs) but still it’s a chance to reach some (possibly) lost souls.

God bless.

 

[Della]

Considering he was there to sell you something–which means he was on a definite mission, I rather think your 2 hour visit would have been shortened to 2 minutes if you had started evangelizing him.

Evangelizing is best done when real opportunities arise, such as when people want to know what you have that makes you so loving, kind, helpful, etc. When God gives you opportunities you will know it, if you are open to his direction.

Door to door salesmen aren’t there to listen to you, they’re at your house to sell you something. I doubt you’d have made a dent, if you’d tried.

 

[PietroPaolo]

Considering he was there to sell you something–which means he was on a definite mission, I rather think your 2 hour visit would have been shortened to 2 minutes if you had started evangelizing him.

Getting him to leave in 2 minutes might have made it worth it too

 

[Joe_5859]

Considering he was there to sell you something–which means he was on a definite mission, I rather think your 2 hour visit would have been shortened to 2 minutes if you had started evangelizing him.

Evangelizing is best done when real opportunities arise, such as when people want to know what you have that makes you so loving, kind, helpful, etc. When God gives you opportunities you will know it, if you are open to his direction.

Door to door salesmen aren’t there to listen to you, they’re at your house to sell you something. I doubt you’d have made a dent, if you’d tried.

I think it is true that the most effective evangelization usually involves longer-term established relationships as the basis. But I don’t think it discounts the possibility of reaching strangers.

I know a guy who tries to share the Gospel with telemarketers who call him. I don’t know that he’s had anyone drop everything and ask for Baptism at that moment, but he has had some pretty good conversations and I’m sure he has at least sown some seed that may yet bear fruit. Some people are just waiting for a “sign” to come along and call them to conversion. We can be that sign.

 

[pensmama87]

One thing I have thought about doing, since I don’t answer the door when I’m not expecting someone, is leaving a basket for brochures, tracts, whatever, and having another with info on Catholicism. That way I can pitch the tracts rather than have them given to someone less secure in their faith, and if there ever is a fantastic deal on gutter cleaning, I’ll still know about it.

 

[Della]

I think it is true that the most effective evangelization usually involves longer-term established relationships as the basis. But I don’t think it discounts the possibility of reaching strangers.

I know a guy who tries to share the Gospel with telemarketers who call him. I don’t know that he’s had anyone drop everything and ask for Baptism at that moment, but he has had some pretty good conversations and I’m sure he has at least sown some seed that may yet bear fruit. Some people are just waiting for a “sign” to come along and call them to conversion. We can be that sign.

Yes, there can be such occasions. However, door to door salesmen aren’t telemarketers who are being paid by the hour by a corporation. A salesman who comes to one’s house earns his daily bread on commission, so he’s not going to waste his time on someone who has no intention of listening to his sales’ pitch.

 

[Joe_5859]

Yes, there can be such occasions. However, door to door salesmen aren’t telemarketers who are being paid by the hour by a corporation. A salesman who comes to one’s house earns his daily bread on commission, so he’s not going to waste his time on someone who has no intention of listening to his sales’ pitch.

Fair enough. It would need to be a quick sales pitch for Jesus.

 

[Della]

Fair enough. It would need to be a quick sales pitch for Jesus.

Yes, very quick.

 

[tabycat]

If it is someone ‘selling’ their religion, I do not see anything wrong with answering them.

 

[Della]

If it is someone ‘selling’ their religion, I do not see anything wrong with answering them.

In the OP’s case it was insurance. We have a “no soliciting” sign on our mailbox. It keeps such encounters from happening. If it’s a religious group, I have stood toe-to-toe with them on my front doorstep. They go away with a few new things to think about after meeting me.

 

[pensmama87]

In the OP’s case it was insurance. **We have a “no soliciting” sign on our mailbox. It keeps such encounters from happening. ** If it’s a religious group, I have stood toe-to-toe with them on my front doorstep. They go away with a few new things to think about after meeting me.

Those “no soliciting” signs seem to be interpreted as “dares” by the folks around here. The only time I’ve ever caught a break is when I had a birth announcement on the door…though that also could have been the weeds (including ones with thorns) growing rampant on the walk up to the door since I had no time to clear them away. They’re unfortunate looking…but they ARE a nice deterrent.

 

[ccmcmg]

Hi guys,

I had an interesting experience last night. I was approached by a door to door insurance salesman who I ended up talking with for a couple hours. Hours after he left it occurred to me that I had missed a great opportunity to evangelize (I talk in more detail about the situation on my blog).

I’m wondering if anyone has tried to use a door to door sales pitch as an opportunity to spread the Good News about Christ and His one holy Church. And if so, how did it go? I’m hoping to try to use the next time someone rings my bell to introduce them to Christ. It’s not quite as intimidating as pounding on doors (ala the Mormons or JWs) but still it’s a chance to reach some (possibly) lost souls.

God bless.

I have done it twice. Once with JWs, and another with a magazine salesperson. The latter left with a rosary and tract, plus $10 for lunch, since I knew that the organization she ‘worked’ for was a scam that exploited young people. If I feel safe, or it is prudent to do so, I will answer the door, but nowadays, you have to be so careful.