When we were newly married, I worked for nine months at the Disney Store. I was having the time of my life. I got to work at a new store, and I was the first person that they hired. We had two days of training and it was a blast. We learned the Disney guest service cycle. Five steps to ensuring that we were exceeding guest expectation. Every month, we would receive two secret shoppers who would grade us on the guest service cycle. If we passed, we would get a 101 grade, and a Dalmation pin to prove it. Now, at that time, there were at least 2, maybe 3 cast members to wait on the guest. That meant that we had to use teamwork. One person alone could not follow through with all five steps. If the three cast members successfully achieved all five steps, the whole cast, all 44 of us, got pins.
During the first three months, we didn't make the grade. But one day, as I arrived, Stacey, one of our managers, approached me and told me that we had made the grade! And, that my name was on the report! Yay! We started thinking back, trying to determine who it had been. I remembered that lady. Why did I remember? Because she had actually allowed me to go through the process. Most people just responded to my inquiries with a polite "just looking" I knew not to push. We didn't want to alienate someone who could become a regular guest.
What does that have to do with soulwinning? Well, we don't have a guest service cycle, but we do have a Roman's Road. But often, as we get started, we receive a polite, "No thank you, just looking" response. In my opinion, this is the time to politely back off. Apparently, the Holy Spirit is not at work in this person at this time. I will leave a door open for next time, and I'll make sure that there is a "next time"
The good thing about this is that with us, we also must work in teams. One person greets and makes friends, another witnesses and invites, and yet another draws in the net when the person is ready. I just have to be ready and able to do my part for the team. If I've done my part, I must trust the next person to do theirs. There can be no manifestations of ego. We work together for the lost.
And when 1 soul is saved, its a victory for the whole Church.
Odds and ends and breaking the silence
2 years ago
3 comments:
Amen!
You said:
But often, as we get started, we receive a polite, "No thank you, just looking" response. In my opinion, this is the time to politely back off. Apparently, the Holy Spirit is not at work in this person at this time. I will leave a door open for next time, and I'll make sure that there is a "next time"
We always say that if we can't win them to Christ then we need to leave it so that someone else can. And besides, Jesus doesn't force anyone to accept Him, so we shouldn't either. Salvation is a gift that must be received, not forced.
Something I try and always do is to leave them with a tract. Even if they don't read it right away people will often save it for another time--when the Holy Spirit is doing His work. (o:
I knew you'd agree! My daughter was recently chided for leaving a tract at a house where no one was home. She was told whe was wasting resources. Hogwash!
I agree! So many times Christians are anxious to make another notch in their soul winning belt that they pressure someone for a decision, and it's not a real conversion of the heart.
Leaving the door open and letting the Holy Spirit guide conversation is THE BEST way to witness. He'll tell you when it's time to back off.
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