Just now I was sitting down, eating a bowl of cereal, when the doorbell rang. I got up to see who it was, and I saw a very formally dressed family. Interesting, it was a white wife and an African-American husband, with a cute little 6 or 7 year old son. I could read the word "Watchtower" on the top of one of their materials, and so I knew that they were Jehovah's Witnesses.

The lady right away asked me if I knew why there were so many problems in the world. I responded saying, it was undoubtedly due to sin and Satan. She nodded and read a passage from 2 Peter about hope, then gave me some information and said that they might be back by. I nodded, thanked them, and that was it.

Does door knocking work today? It has been out of vogue for some time, but is it making a come back? I think that in some ways it is. Yes, most people don't want to be bothered. But we live in such a lonely world today, with broken lives and a lack of community, that I think that there are people that are open to a loving stranger knocking on their door--particularly if they live in that neighborhood.

Last Thursday night, Becki and I went with Sandy and Cindy Detherage, a precious couple that lives in Melissa, to invite their neighbors to a neighborhood Bible study in Melissa. They are hosting the study, in which we'll go through the Story of Redemption. Becki and I just put flyers on the door, but Sandy and Cindy met several of their neighbors. They were all friendly. We'll go back Sunday night and ask them if they will be able to come. Gary Poole's book, Seeker Small Groups, has some good thoughts on how to invite people to a Seeker type of study.

One of the best things to do in doorknocking, I believe, is to go around greeting neighbors and asking them if you can pray for them. They may see you as Jesus knocking on their door and an answer to prayer. Throw block parties. Restore community in your neighborhood. This opens up people to further sharing and study.

One thing is sure--God is certain to bless people going out and seeking to reach others for Christ. Rather than getting hung up in methods, let's try to be obedient in whatever way we know how.

Have you tried doorknocking lately? What do you think of this? Any word from those of you who are church planters or in church planting circles?