Door-to-Door

In Galatians chapter 5, we see how our love relationship with Christ affects the way we relate to others:
13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

I think this tell us that we are not to keep our faith to ourselves, but instead to allow the light of Christ to shine through us.   And, on this night, where children are flooding neighborhoods, going door-to-door asking for stuff, we can be challenged as believers that perhaps we can be motivated to go to people around us giving the love of Jesus.   The Lord loves people, Jesus gave His life for people, and we have numerous opportunities to reflect His light into dark places.

2nd Corinthians 4, verses 5 and 6, can help shape our perspective on radiating the light of Christ, especially on this particular day that has a dark history:
5 For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus' sake. 6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Tonight, across America, according to the website, DailyInfographic.com, 69% of U.S. households - some 78 million people will celebrate Halloween.   Over $11 billion dollars will be spent on Halloween.   And, here's an interesting stat: 74% of those surveyed said they would open their door and give something.   Now, I don't know what that means for the other 26%, but I suspect that means they either won't be home or won't answer the door.

Imagine that - children going into their neighborhoods and calling on their neighbors to give them candy.   And, generally, they don't think a whole lot about it - not particularly intimidated, probably.   But, if we were to consider going into our neighborhoods and calling on our neighbors to go to church, that could be a rather daunting task for some.  

And, the success rate is higher - according to Dr. Thom Rainer of LifeWay, in his book, The Unchurched Next Door, 82% of the unchurched are at least somewhat likely to attend church if invited.   He also says that "Only 2 percent of church members invite an unchurched person to church. 98% of church-goers never extend an invitation in a given year."

And he writes that “A study including more than 15,000 adults revealed that about two-thirds are willing to receive information about a local church from a family member, and 56 percent from a friend or neighbor. The message is clear that the unchurched are open to conversations about church.”

So, the trick-or-treaters have it right - going door-to-door, in neighborhoods can be highly effective in gathering candy.   And, I think in the same way, neighborhood evangelism can be very effective - building relationships with those that live around us, considering that perhaps half of them, or more, do not attend church regularly.    As we pray for our neighbors, and ask the Holy Spirit to provide power and wisdom in how we approach them about church attendance and their walk with Christ, we can see many come to a saving knowledge of the Lord.  And, pray for those involved in ministry throughout the Northeast, including the churches in New York City, who are reportedly checking in to make sure their congregation members are OK.   In fact, during time of crisis, a broad "door-to-door" approach can really demonstrate the love of Christ.