My last column spoke to the issue of leaflet distribution in public places. This time I want to focus on door knocking.
In knocking on doors (as with handing out leaflets in the street), we need to remember that we are representing our Lord and King before women and men who are lost, blind and hopeless. We are his ambassadors. We are to conduct ourselves in a way that is Christ-like, gracious and attractive. To this end, the ‘rules’ for doorknocking are as follows:
1. Meet together as a team for pre door-knocking prayer and instructions
Note: My preference in door-knocking is for a letter-box drop to be done in advance (same week) gently advising residents that you'll be visiting. Always have a pre-determined "knock-off' time. Meet as a group for prayer and de-brief. Conduct door-knocks in daylight only.
2. Always go in two's (for accountability, security and encouragement)
Man/women is ideal. I am less happy about man/man (as it may intimidate householders [or look like a particular cult group] ) and even less happy about woman/woman (a security concern and may suggest that church is not for men).
3. Dress modestly
Make sure you have no unseemly/suggestive logo's or images or phrases on tee-shirts et al, wear a hat, take a water-bottle and wear a large I.D. badge between your chest and shoulder. What else should you take? In a small backpack I suggest:
a. A mobile phone.
b. A street map with your "knocking' area clearly designated. Knowing where public toilets are located is an advantage (as you may not request the use of loos in the homes you visit).
c. Perhaps a health food bar or an apple to much on the way (never speak with a mouthful when the door opens and never chew gum).
d. A pen.
e. Half a dozen small gospels of Mark or John.
f. Half a dozen general info brochures from the church (if that's actually what you're giving to people [ie the purpose of the door-knock " see "4' below] then you have that aspect covered).
g. A simple "record of visits' sheet. Once you've left a house (and are out of sight, immediately record details of your visit). Pray as you leave, eyes open, walking.
h. Half a dozen gospel tracts. Eg: "What is a Christian' or "Believe it or not'. Make sure the tract you select has a prayer of commitment in it. It may be you lead a person to Christ there and then.
i. An A5 note pad. You may need to draw "Bridge to Life' or "Do/Done'.
j. 20 or so "While you were out" calling cards from the church. Leave under door or in letterbox. Card should have church details and you write time of call and your first name on the card.
4. Be clear on the purpose of your visit
Is it "image' (ie simply to give a leaflet [or a Bible] and/or be a friendly first contact with the community) or "action' (to give an invitation to an event, to conduct a survey, to do a cold-call gospel presentation) ?
5. Always pray quietly before you enter a property
You can do this with your eyes open as you walk in.
6. Note "beware of dog signs'
Generally this means people do not want any kind of community interaction. Exercise extreme care if you elect to enter. My preference is that you pass by, pray for the household and leave note/card in the letterbox. Do not enter homes with "no hawkers or canvassers" signs.
7. Knocking on the door:
a. Rap firmly four times. If no answer (after about 90 seconds [as some elderly people may take time to get to the door, for example]) repeat knocking (resisting the urge to knock louder), wait a minute and if no reply then leave. Note: neighbours (or the frightened person who is not wanting to open the door) may be watching. Make sure you exit in a quiet and gentle way.
b. With doorbells and buzzers, two short rings are adequate. Repeat as per above if no answer. Note: You may have to go through your presentation via an intercom and security-cam. Look directly into the camera if you can, smile and if at all possible let them see your I.D. badge. Keep still as you speak.
8. Decide in advance who will do the presentation when the door opens
Only one person is to speak while the other prays quietly. Alternate the speaking from one house to the next. Do encourage each other once you leave and if appropriate offer gentle/constructive comments.
9. Do not look people "up and down'
When they open the door, don’t visually evaluate them, or try to peek inside their home. Maintain good eye contact. No ogling.
10. Conversation " general:
a. Say the most important thing first. People won't cope with complicated stuff in the first minute or so. They are also making a judgement as to whether or not they will trust you.
b. Make sure your hat does not obscure your face or your eyes. You must take sunglasses off when you speak to people. Do not stand in shadows.
c. Be sure there is a good deal of space between you and the resident (at least a metre as we don't want to frighten people). Never get "in their face".
11. Always start at the top of tower blocks
This ensures you don't have to confront or have difficult conversations with the "no's' you might encounter on the way up.
12. Conversation - specific:
a. When a door opens, the person doing the speaking should (slowly and clearly begin):
(Smiling gently [both of you]) " Good afternoon, I am Khalil and this is Sophia (both point to name badges) and we're visiting from St. Brian's (pause [and don't attempt a hand shake as this may be too threatening] ); may we
i. give you this Bible/leaflet/invitation to xxxx ? or
ii. take no more than x minutes of your time to ask four simple questions [you must let people see the questions and the answers you write] or
iii. have x minutes of your time to explain what Christians believe?"
b. Wait for their answer and if "no' then smile, thank them for their time, leave quietly, close the gate (carefully and gently) and move on.
c. If "yes' give them the Bible or ask the survey questions, record the info and promptly move on.
13. Conduct all "business' at the door
In many (if not most) cases you'll be speaking through a locked metal mesh screen door. Do not ask to go inside and politely decline invitations to come in (for security and propriety's sake).
14. If people become aggressive, bring the discussion to a swift end
Thank them for their time and promptly leave. Do not get swept into arguments. Ensure your conversation is gentle, even and gracious. Always remain calm and unshockable.
15. If you don’t know, say so
If you are asked a question about an issue and you don't know the answer then say so. At this point ask your colleague if they know. The colleague is to wait until asked. If you both don't know, then say so and ask if you can get back to them with the answer. Make a time.
16. Meet back with main group at the arranged time
Don't fall into the "just one more" trap. Do be punctual as they will be concerned for your safety if you are late.
17. Hard work, but worth it!
Door knocking, whilst hard work, often bears wonderful fruit if not immediately then down the track. Residents remember the "lovely' people who visited from the church (and tell their friends/relatives). Note: the reverse is (sadly) true too!
Stuart Robinson is the National Mission Facilitator for the Anglican Church with church planting experience in Western Sydney, the CBD and Europe, and the rector of St Paul’s Anglican Church, Chatswood.
