Connect09

Ben Pfahlert’s post on the sola panel brought back some tangential but happy memories of dinner evangelism.

If you’re going to organize dinner where you want to have good opportunity to talk about the gospel with friends, what are some of the things to bear in mind?

Do you think it works better in a restaurant, in a private house, or somewhere else?

Any traps to avoid?

Anything you’ve seen done that you wouldn’t have thought of doing, but ended up being really good?

Not a direct answer, but related…

Our church is running 5 Introducing God courses in homes as part of our “Start the Ultimate Relationship” mission. We have at least 10 unchurched people attending these courses.

We’ve found it really effective to run IG in lounge rooms. I think a home is better than a restaurant as you can talk more freely, and a cosy atmosphere is conducive to serious talk as well.

Andre might jump on and offer some thoughts. But a few of the keys in inviting people are -

* Ask them to one night only. They wont commit to a 10 week course, but they are more willing to come along to 1 night. And people usually get “hooked” after the first time

* Emphasis that all opinions will be respected, and that they will be free to disagree with the DVD if they want

* Sell it in terms of a chance to meet some new people and chat about deep things.

Thanks Craig, even though it is a bit different it is great to consider alternatives.

What makes a comfy loungeroom?

Somewhere warm!  Most of my friends live in freezing cold federation ice cubes.  Nice in summer but shocking in winter.  Only one of them lights their log fire, and it’s fantastic when they do.  Evangelism is best done in a comfrotable environment, ie, WARM!  [/rant]

Hear hear! Nothing more miserable than trying to look happy in a cold lounge room.

I was immediately going to say “warm” as well.

Obviously clean and tidy - but it can’t look like a showroom lounge either, whether people are afraid of getting crumbs on the carpet.

Lighting not too bright.

Some unoffensive music on in the background when people come in is helpful. Fills in the awkward silences as people arrive and begin to get to know each other.