Q: Dear Pastor Mac,
I’ve read that we need to canvass door to door, but I hear you talk about canvassing in parking lots and other venues. What about Sis. White’s counsel on getting into the people’s homes? Can you really make an impact in the short time you have to talk to someone in a parking lot?
A: It’s not surprising that we don’t have counsel directing our steps toward parking lots, since there were none during Ellen White’s time. Neither were there shopping malls or Wal-Marts, but she did counsel us to canvass in crowded places:
“In the thoroughfares of travel…there should be stationed ministers and canvassers capable of arresting the attention of the multitudes…Thus the gospel of present truth will be placed in the way of those who know it not…and carried by them to their own homes in all parts of the earth.” (Colporteur Ministry, p. 40).
Yes, my forte is canvassing in public areas such as parking lots and street corners (I’ve done door to door too). I do it because people are so busy that it’s easier to catch them during their daily activities than at home. My goal is to get the books into the homes, not necessarily myself.
Today, there are more gated communities and suspicious residents than ever. Although barred from entering these homes, I can meet them on neutral ground in public and let them carry the books “to their own homes in all parts of the earth.” What about making an impact? I don’t need long to make an impact when someone buys a book. As a LE, I let the books do the preaching. I’m also mindful that Jesus makes an impact in a short time:
He raised a man from the dead with 3 words: “Lazarus, come forth!”
He healed a man that was deaf and dumb with 2 words: “Be opened!”
He evicted a legion of demons with a 1 word command: “Go!”
Let us remember that we don't canvass parking lots, subdivisions, apartment complexes, or businesses. We canvass people. So let's just meet them wherever they may be found, give them Jesus, and let Him make the impact!
I love the door-to-door method. I am more comfortable doing this; but, I recently canvassed a neighborhood and had to cut my work short....someone had called the county sheriff! The parking lots are quick, easy access to people. It is just another opportunity to reach individuals who may leave home early in the morning and return home late at night.
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