One method for walk up or door-knocking evangelism is take with you a survey to complete with those who speak with. One of the surveys that I have used while on Summerfest is ’5 quick questions’:

1. What characteristics best fits your idea of God?
   a. Loving
   b. Angry
   c. Distant
   d. Relational
   e. Other
2. Who do you think Jesus is/was?
3. What do you think is the biggest cause of the problems in the world?
4. If you could ask God one question what would it be?
5. Why do you think God hasn’t stopped the suffering in the world?

BENEFITS

• Like all surveys, where you ask a large collection of people, you can gauge popular opinion.
• You can get to know the peoples beliefs, concerns, ideas, of those who your church is trying to reach.
• The questions get to the heart of most peoples objections to Christianity.
• It’s a 2-way conversation, where the respondent has the power of the conversation. Less threatening for them as they can say no to you, turn you away, or stop you mid-survey.
• Helpful diagnostic tool to see where people are at with the Christian Faith.
• The results in themselves are valuable as they give you insight, plus they might even provide some sermon illustration material; bible study openers: how would you respond to the person who says… etc.
• Stimulates conversation.

CHALLENGES

• Can just look manipulative. Just using the survey to get in so to bible bash them.
• Sometimes hinders ability to share the gospel (often the aim of door-knocking) as once the survey is completed the conversation is over.

TIPS

• Be polite and friendly.
• Introduce yourself…
  Hi I’m Hayley, I go to Church by the Bridge, just doing a survey & would love your opinions on a 5 quick  questions…
• If they say NO straight out… respect their decision and thank them for their time:
  Thanks anyway, hope you enjoy the sunshine this afternoon.
• Be genuinely interested in hearing peoples responses.
• Don’t force conversation on people.
• Be happy to walk away with just survey results.
• Close the survey by saying: ‘just wondering if I can ask one more question in response to one of your answers… e.g.
  Why do you think God is…
  What do you mean when you say Jesus is the Son of God?
  If Jesus is just a good teacher, why do you think Jesus was killed by the authorities for disturbing the peace (insurrection)?
  You said, Jesus was the Saviour? Who do you think he was saving and what was he saving them from?
  How does your worldview answer the question about suffering, if you think Christianity can’t?

What are some good will gestures you and your church could do to show your genuine love to your local community and contribute to creating space where unbelievers can have time to get to know you and be able to think well of you even if they disagree with your Christian world view?

At Church by the Bridge, we try to do this in a number of ways:

• Art Exhibition and Prize
• Fair Trade Markets
• Winter Appeal & Christmas Appeal collection for the needy
• Community Lunches
• Clean Up Australia Day

The only other thing I can think of are:

• Free Winter Care Hampers…. My idea is to get a washing basket (or another container that people would use) and put a blanket, food, a beanie, woolies voucher, etc,… Potentiall there may be opportunity to parnter with an organisation like ANGLICARE and ask them if they can help you give to those in need in your area. Somehow partner together. I am going to investigate this so I will get back to you with what I find out.

What are some things your church does, or things you hope to do, or have stored away on your ideas shelf?

In the last 2 weeks, 2 people from my local area asked me “where have you been? it’s been ages since we have seen you?” One of the guys who said this to me even asked “have we done something to offend you?”

I found these remarks both an encouragement and a rebuke… mostly felt the latter though.

Encouragement: locals not at church miss me when I am not out and about in the community
Rebuke: where have I been if I haven’t been out and about in the community?

Good question… and I agree with them. I haven’t been out and about in the community as much as I previously did last year.

Upon reflection I’ve forgotton to take heed of my own advice, ‘If I was a Community Pastor…’

• Pray for my community.
• Have time flexible to just to hang about and be open for conversations.
• Have coffee with unbelieving locals, locally.
• Be interested in the things that locals are putting on.
• Be a friend to those who are lonely… pop-in-and-say-hello ministry.
• Say hello to strangers.
• Get involved in community activities/meetings.
• Go gospelling

These have dropped from my list of priorities because:

• Change in routine from last year; lack of preparation for strong routine in 2011.
• Not putting ‘hang time’ in my calendar
• Letting administration and maintenance of ministries dominate my time.
• Impatient in seeing fruit of my labours.
• And in my favour, this year I have been trying to invest more in believers at church and so mobilse them to do some of the ‘community pastoring’ work with me, rather than going out on my own. This takes time and will hopefully bear fruit later.

Solutions:

1. Plan.

2. Prioritize.

3. Patience.

4. Prayer.