TRAINING COURSE

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EVANGELISTIC VISITING

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(Material needed. Overhead projector. Prepared slides. Pens for projector)

1. The area it covers

a. Selected visiting - Seeking to interest friends, neighbours and acquaintances.

b. Unselective visiting - Door to door visiting in the Parish.

2. The fears and difficulties such work raises in the mind.

(Get the Group to write down such fears and difficulties they feel they have. Then get them to share them in the Group. A list is put up on the overhead projector, and discussed together. The purpose of this is so that these fears can be clearly faced and seen. They will not seem so bad when identified. Also to seek out ways to combat them)

Fears that may be present -

Fear of peoples reaction - abuse, contempt, ridicule, indifference, etc.

Fear of ourselves - Being tongue tied, not being able to answer questions, letting Christ and the Church down, etc.

Personal character - shyness, sensitiveness, etc. (This is one of the biggest problems to overcome)

Finding the right and best time to visit - fear of calling at an inconvenient time.

Fear of failure - not knowing what to say, or fear of failing to take advantage of opportunities presented.

3. Appreciating the importance of the task.

(Get the Group to write reasons for the importance of the task on their sheets, and then share them. Reasons will be written on the overhead projector and discussed in the Group as to importance and implications)

Why should we be engaged in this activity?

Some reasons for the importance of visiting -

Jesus commanded us to preach the Gospel to all creatures. (Matthew 28:19)

The condition of all who are unsaved. (John 3:18)

The future of all who are unsaved. (Matthew 25:46)

Unless they are visited people will not hear the Gospel - if people will not come to church, then we must go to them - Jesus says "go" in Matthew 28:19.

Jesus calls us to be fishers of men. (Mark 1:17)

4. The reasons and encouragements to visit.

We have freely received, we can't keep it to ourselves - either the Gospel or the power. (Matthew 10:8)

Jesus has promised power from the Holy Ghost - power for the task. (Acts 1:8)

5. Preparation

(Again get the Group to write down on their papers ways that occur to them. Get the Group to share these reasons and write them on the overhead projector for discussion and amplification)How can we prepare ourselves for this work.)

Actions for preparation we can take -

Prayer - much prayer needs to be engaged in before evangelistic visiting. Jesus prepared himself for ministry by prayer.

Keep a close and vital relationship with Jesus. A healthy spiritual life is essential.

Chose a companion to go with on our visiting. Two is better than one, we support each other in prayer, and take it in turns to make the first opening in conversation.

Have a clear aim and strategy to employ. - e.g. A reason for visiting (introduce people to our church; Commending the church magazine; An invitation to a service or a special event). An aim and strategy gives a clear opening lead to open the conversation. It is important to choose the one we feel will be most fruitful.

Choose and have ready literature and material we will need for the visiting. Literature needs to be carefully chosen, and we must have read it ourselves and know its contents.

Take care about personal appearance and hygiene. Clean breathe and respectable clothes are important.

Have identification card with you to show if appropriate.

6. Starting out and making your visit.

Have the homes you plan to visit fixed and selected, and the most suitable time chosen.

Pray for special grace before starting out.

Check you have your literature, notebook, pencil, Bible, torch (if necessary), and any other thing you may need.

See if there is any information on the Parish Records on anyone you expect to visit. If there is such information it will be invaluable in your approach.

On reaching the house, don't hesitate, but walk firmly to the door and ring or knock.

Wait patiently. Some people take time to reach the door for various reasons - old age, because they are upstairs or in the garden, because they are busy with a job, etc. Nothing irritates so much a impatient ringing of the bell a second time too quickly. It may be better, at first, to ration yourself to one good ring or knock, and if there is no answer to move on.

When the door is opened, people rarely say anything first, but wait for the caller to state his or her business. Have your opening gambit ready and word perfect. If you don't, you will, in the tension of the moment, make a mix up of it.

After this, in faith, depend on the Holy Spirit to teach you what you should say as the conversation developes. Jesus has promised such aid.

7. Some basic rules to observe.

a. If the time is inconvenient, don't press your attention, but leave quickly; but try and leave an opening to call another time. e.g. "Perhaps I could call another time? Is there any time and day which would be more covenient?"

b. Never argue. If a person is wanting to argue, seek to graciously extricate yourself without seeming to be rude. Never be afraid to admit that you don't know the answer or that you can't answer their queries.

c. Never lose your cool even if the one visited treats you roughly or abusively. Be unfailingly patient and polite.

d. Always seek for an invitation to come into the home, and talk in a more relaxed way in doors. It may even be possible to say - "Could we come in and explain this further?" If you are invited to go in, never refuse unless there is some very good reason to do so. Accept any suitable hospitality offered gratefully.

e. Always have your prime aim, which is to speak for Christ, of the Gospel and spiritual things, ever in the forefront of your mind. Take up any opportunity offered or presented to speak for Christ. But don't force the conversation on to spiritual things. Don't be upset if the conversation remains on a secular level - friendship and confidence need to be built up before people will listen to the Gospel.

f. Leave some literature and use it as an opening to call again. i.e. Say "Perhaps we could leave this booklet with you, and we will call again soon to discuss it with you further!"

8. After the visit.

Make a note of when you said you will call again and don't let any thing prevent you from keeping that engagement. (Don't be too surprised if, when you call again, the reception is not so warm as you had hoped)

Pray much for the person or persons in the intervening days.

Make a record of your visit at the earliest convenient time. The earlier the better, so that you don't forget any of the details of the visit or information you have gleaned. Pass this information on for inclusion in the parish records. They will help others who may visit this home.

Be scrupulous in observing and keeping all confidences confidential. If you ask for prayer from others, never pass on information given in confidence. Some information may not be appropriate to put in the parish records.

If you promise to do anything for a person, do it as soon as possible.

9. General principles.

Be natural, courteous, sensitive, interested, caring, unshockable and discreet.

Don't be discouraged if the visiting is difficult or seems to be unfruitful. Keep at it.