Often times we over complicate the process of intentionally meeting people. We read books about great ideas of handing out water, doing good deeds, handing out tracts, preaching on street corners, and so forth. The problem is that these yield low results and require a lot of cold calling and awkwardness. So if these don’t work, what is the secret? I want to suggest that there is no “secret” to evangelism. Rather, there is the obvious that has been overlooked. For example, several people inquire how they might meet people intentionally but they have overlooked (or neglected) to even meet their neighbors. I have been in my new home for about 2 days now. I have met both neighbors, an additional person down the street from our end, and have had several conversations with one of the said neighbors who planning on “hanging out” in the next week or so when I get back into town. How did I intentionally meet someone and get to a point of “hanging out?” I walked across my yard, knocked on the door, introduced myself, and began talking to him. I asked questions–beginning with “how much of the yard do I cut until it encroaches on your yard” and moving to discussions about our families and likes/dislikes. The wonderful part is, in a 5-10 minute conversation, I have made a friend who has now consistently stopped to talk to me every time (remember it’s only been a few days) we both see each other out and about. We have even talked about getting our wives together (AND IT WAS HIS IDEA!!!!).
I am not writing to have you say “WOW! Look how great Josh is.” My intention is to encourage you all to start simply by talking to those who are in your life every day but go unnoticed. It’s amazing what God will do when his people pray and seek out the “men/women of peace.”
So here’s the question: Who have you overlooked? What are other areas (besides physical neighbors) that the church could be looking for the people of peace? What has worked for you and what hasn’t?
I pray God has encouraged you to “get out of your home” and just “walk across the yard.” Whether that yard is physically or symbolic in nature.
-Josh
