It is interesting to contrast the book, “101 Ways To Reach Your Community” by Steve Sjogren with Jonathan Dodson’s appropriate cautions. A lot of Steve’s suggested, especially introductory servant evangelism events are basically reinforcing consumerism. As I read through that book, I found myself thinking the exact same thing subconciously – ruling out any suggested event that seemed to be providing a reinforcement to the consumerist impulse, or seeming to be a valueless handout to people who didn’t need it. How does it show God’s love to give someone something they don’t need or that is cheap and they were planning to get it anyway?
I recall one event we did, giving out bottled water on a fairly hot day, went over ok (though on the cooler days not so well). One objection I actually heard several times was that people are beginning to be turned off bottled water – mainly since the popular perception is that Vancouver’s water is some of the finest in the world – superior to water filtered from the Ohio River, or whatever nameless source that Coca-Cola uses for its “Dasani”, or Pepsi and its “Aquafina” brand. One thought that occurred to me (that we still haven’t followed up on) is ameteur soccer in Vancouver runs all the way through the winter. Kids and their parents will be standing in grassy fields in February, with the temperature just above freezing. I think handing out coffee or hot chocolate would be very well received in the parks, have value and demonstrate a servant heart for a community.
I think outreaches like this need to have weight – value to the recipients.
Tags: Aquafina, Dasani, Jonathan Dodson, servant evangelism, soccer, Steve Sjogren, Vancouver
