The purpose is to turn the "random acts of kindness" idea into an act of kindness to the glory of God. The act of kindness is accompanied by a nice looking business-size card that says we are doing this to show the love of God. It includes the church name and location.
I came across the idea of flooding your community with good deeds several years ago through a book by Steve Sjogren called Conspiracy of Kindness. It immediately appealed to me as an excellent way to do first-touch evangelism. Yet I've found people don't really seem to understand it. The major objection is that this seems a waste of money because it is not meeting any real need. It's just giving something away to people who don't need it. Also some people think it is so low-key that it couldn't possibly have any spiritual impact.
I still believe that it has great potential if done prayerfully and regularly. First, it is something just about any Christian can do. It is usually done in teams so you don't have to go alone and it doesn't take a lot of know-how. Many Christians are fearful of engaging in evangelism. This is a great way to get a taste and to develop some skills. As confidence grows people will look for opportunities. For the one receiving the kindness, it gives them a different perspective on God and church from what many believe. God is sometimes seen as harsh and demanding. The church especially is usually seen as wanting your money, not as giving you something. It is a no-pressure situation for both the giver and receiver yet it provides plenty of opportunity for people to ask why and for significant conversation to develop. I see this as another case of our weakness(small part) being used by God for great good.
Anyone have any experience with this, good or bad, questions or comments?
Dave
3 comments:
The Student Ministry at our church has begun doing outreaches like this...we have passed out water, snacks and basic toiletry kits to the homeless, and once we gave out light bulbs (to spread the light of God's Word among the world). We send the kids out in groups of two or three, along with an adult, and offer to pray with and for the recipients; these offers are sometimes rebuffed, but not always...we also printed up flyers with the name and address of the church, and invite people to come worship with us. There have even been a couple who actually came!! This is important training in evangelism and service for these young people, and it's also great fun to do! God bless and be with your church as they carry out this same good work!
I was visiting my parents when this outreach happened and it was interesting to watch the reactions of people. (I was hesitant at first to participate, not being from the church, but then decided it was about spreading God's love rather than a church event, and it was much more satisfying to participate.) Of course, people always think you are trying to tell them something, and when they find out it is free they are surprised and still hesitant, as if there is some kind of catch. But a lot of drink was given away in a very short time frame and God's love was shared with a lot of people; whether they accepted His love or not is beside the point, a seed is planted and they know that Bethel Baptist Church does really care about them and their needs.
I love these outreaches & it's sad to know that some people just don't want to be involved. But I also think it's something that we should pray about within ourselves to want to do whenever the need arises. Or even when it's not a "need". Pay for the person behind you at a drive thru. Send a postcard to someone you haven't spoken to a long time. Mow the neighbors lawn (or shovel the walk). Hug your teenager. Or your pastor. Or his wife. No rhyme or reason. Just because.
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