Actually our latest revelation is to totally integrate our business with our ministry and life. We have decided to extend that hospitality to our customers as well as our neighbors. In fact we are not currently using letters or the door to door method to preach the gospel but we plan to advertise the business by delivering business invitations with a free gift door to door! Strange ministry strategy, but you get more response from a well written and useful advertising with a free gift than you get from a tract or even a personal letter of invitation to a Bible Study or meal. It is less threatening to take your car in for service than it is to go to a stranger's house.
But after our neighbors come in as a customer, we can also befriend them and invite them over for dinner. Then a customer is honored to be invited over. This fits the culture better. (We must be a Jew to the Jew and a Greek to the Greek) In fact we are starting a coffee shop in the waiting room to facilitate this more.
This gives us a viable advertising means to grow the business and turns our business into a place of ministry as well as commerce. This transforms a time restraint problem into a blessing and helps fulfills the great commission. Under the law Jesus condemned commerce in the temple, but this- instead of wrongly making the "house of prayer" a place of business, Christ has made US his temple, and has taken the house of prayer into the market place, through His life in us. Pretty cool.
And this plan enables us to work longer hours without competing for family or ministry time because our family is working together and ministering at the same time. All pressure has been relieved, we can work and serve more hours, get the work out, serve our customers better and are now free to stop any time in the day and care about our customers or anyone we meet because we are not restricted by a 5:00 deadline. The longer hours also helps advertising by accommodating customers' schedules! Integrating and de-compartmentalizing our lives has resolved all of our challenges that we could never quite seem to conquer!
We are still learning how to implement it and to REMEMBER we don't have to be in a hurry any more! We can stop and talk any time, it is quite a transition!
Our preferred method is to meet each person individually or as a family and invite them over for dinner and then care about them and serve their spiritual and physical needs as we have the means to do so, getting other believers to help as often as needed. But we were using a letter to be sure and get the gospel to every door- and we may do so some more, I'll tell you about it in case it strikes your fancy.
Today our culture is so media saturated, I don't know how well a letter is received. Even though the letter is much more personal than a "gospel tract", it is still nothing like a real caring person.
Lately we have been so busy we have not been putting out letters, but here is the letter that we were leaving on the door if they were not home, or we handed it to them as a reminder and a contact card. It fits on one side of one sheet of paper, so it is very cheap and easy to duplicate and distribute.
“Howdy” Neighbor,
We hope to get by in person and see how you’re doing; but for now, this letter will have to do. There’s something important we have to share with you. Many people don’t have an accurate perception of Christianity. Unfortunately it’s because many of us who profess the faith have not “delivered the goods”; and it’s not just our generation but many horrible atrocities have been committed in the name of Christ. But despite the hypocrisy and lies that often get the “headlines”, the real story is that Jesus Christ has truly and radically changed billions of people, and in turn the whole world is tremendously better off because He lived and died… and rose again. I know personally, He literally has saved me from a life of crime and destruction and given me a wonderful family with a purpose for living. Though life is often difficult, I am full of peace, joy and hope.
How can one “man” make such an impact? His virgin birth; His amazing love and Words; His miraculous power and resurrection demonstrate He’s more than just a man. He is Emmanuel: God with us. This letter is a summary of why He came. People may have failed you, even so called “Christians”, but I assure you: Jesus has never failed you.
God knows how you’re doing and what you’ve gone through. He also knows everything you’ve ever done or thought; good and bad- and He still loves you and wants to be your friend. But the truth is, our lives are “broken” in many ways because we’re really not God’s friends. At our core, we are selfish and have not given God and others the respect and love that they deserve. We disobey God’s commands and hurt each other. This is called sin and because of our sin we have all become God’s enemies. I know that sounds harsh, but we underestimate the ugliness of our sin. We are so self-centered we can’t even see the injury and cruelty our sin does to others!
A fair judge must punish crimes. Even our own sense of justice recognizes that if “You did the crime, you got to do the time.” In fact, God says “Vengeance is mine, I will repay”! But we have to remember it’s not just others’ sins or crimes, but we are guilty too. The Bible clearly teaches that God will one day judge us for our sins. It also clearly describes the sentence, the punishment for our crimes: “the wages of sin is death”: everlasting fire; eternal punishment; separation from God. It would be a dreadfully bleak forecast… except God had a plan.
Because of His great love for us, God planned from the beginning to save us from the judgment we all deserve. He knew the life of freedom he gave us would allow us to disobey Him, and being the ultimate father, He orchestrated to lay down His own life, an amazing divine sacrifice, to provide for His children. He designed the legal trade of all time & eternity for those that will make the deal. Bear in mind that God the Father, Spirit and Son are One; it’s a mystery we don’t fully comprehend, yet is expressed in its most awe-inspiring form on the cross: That God would take our sin, guilt & the punishment we deserve & place them on Himself, the innocent Lamb of God - Jesus on the cross, and in exchange He would literally and legally give us His righteousness. Then, as if that wasn’t enough, after we believe, He transforms us by living in us and through us by His Spirit! God’s eternal plan was that you and I could be His children, even His friends, and live with Him forever because of that sacrifice, that exchange on the cross.
But that forgiveness is not applied automatically. We must ask for it and receive it through faith; respecting and honoring God enough to believe what He says, and embrace it. What an insult it would be to ignore or reject such a great gift of divine eternal hospitality! We must humbly admit that it is our sin that crucified Jesus; He came to earth for that very purpose, to pay that price. We must recognize it and by faith, receive the gift of life that He paid for with His own blood. The invitation is open to all. Accepting it opens up a whole new world! Come and explore it with us.
We’d like to invite you to our home for dinner and afterwards to visit and talk more about truth & life. We try to meet regularly on Thursdays at 7 after a potluck at 6:00 pm; and most Sundays at 2:00 pm. If you’re going through something or need something, ANYTHING- We care, and we’ll help if we can.
Please come by or call ANY time and we can talk and visit. My cell is 672-8031. Dyrell Hicks
Here is a longer version of the door to door letter that I decided to scrap. It speaks extensively about the integration of our business and faith, a concept that is dear to me, but I felt it unnecessary to explain it, only necessary to live it out. I preserved this letter and posted it because it does have a lot of info about the concept of this hospitality idea, and the motivation behind it, as well as a fairly comprehensive summary of Christianity, so I though it might be useful to read for someone wanting to integrate their life, work and ministry or do the door to door hospitality letter idea.
Here is the old web site:
Love Your Neighbor Christian NetworkBuilding Friendships and Community
People are busy today. Though compared to our ancestors we have it easy. Our modern conveniences and specialized work usually provide us with ample time to make friends and be good neighbors, but if the truth were known, most of us have conformed to our culture and have embraced the steady supply of entertainment and distractions that make it "seem" like we have no time for neighbors and sometimes even for friends and family.
Yet most of us would like to develop close friendships and Jesus did say to "love your neighbor as yourself". So if that's something you want to do but haven't been able to make time for it then maybe this network can be a tool to help you break away from the entertainment routine, make some new friends and even help you become the "Good Samaritan" you've always wanted to be.
With all the social networking sites available, we are glad to provide a tool that encourages face to face community in our neighborhoods. This network is a tool for discovering neighborhood needs and finding volunteers to help. The network is also a way to meet neighbors with similar interests and build friendships.
There are no specific days or nights required to participate, you pick when and how much you want to volunteer. It's really simple and totally flexible.
There's a lot more info about why this network exists. Most of it is laid out like a virtual conversation where ideas, questions and thoughts are presented in chunks and then links with some typical responses are in bright colors. The idea is to simulate a conversation that follows your lead as you choose the vein of thought that is similar to your own. This way you don't have to read the whole web site, only what is pertinent to you.
Choose your response:
The backbone of the network is the group of volunteers who are the
communication links of the network. They are LYNC Coordinators (or LCs),
they are simply outgoing Christians who enjoy visiting their
neighbors. They adopt a street or neighborhood, tell the neighbors about
the network and ask them to participate. The LC keeps a notebook with all
the contact information of anyone who has needs, of volunteers, and lists of any events or open invitations that their neighbors
make available. 
The LC reviews the list of needs and volunteers that are in your neighborhood so that anyone that has a need is introduced to a neighbor who has volunteered to help with that type of need.
The LC regularly visits neighbors and shares the updated news and open invitations in the neighborhood. Neighbors wanting to attend an event get the info from the LC and then call directly to those giving the invitation to arrange to attend.
We were using a website to record the invitations and needs and the web site sent automatic emails when there was a nearby volunteer/need match, but we discovered that method provided less opportunity for face to face relationships, which defeats the purpose of the network. We may be busy, and the internet can save us time in many ways, but too often we don't make time for face to face relationships, so we discontinued the automatic web communication and now the LYNC Coordinator keeps a notebook and personally makes any introductions. This also keeps it simple, so anyone can do it whether or not they even own a computer.
Most of us have a desire to make a difference in this world, to leave it a little better for having been here. Jesus said in Mark 9:35 "If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all" Most people in the U.S. have a comfortable life compared to the majority of the world and there are ways we can and should help those dire needs around the world. But there are also people right around the corner from us that could use a hand. LYNC Network members help their neighbors with all sorts of practical needs:
Whether it's a senior citizen, a person with a physical handicap or just an overwhelmed neighbor, sometimes people need a little help with relatively minor things like yard work, house cleaning, minor home repairs, picking up groceries, a ride to work, car repair, etc., etc.
Befriend the lonely. Sometimes a friend can make a life or death difference.
Maybe you could even help someone start a budget or find a job.
Sometimes we run across a vital need for groceries or clothing
You may not have considered it, but young couples can make a huge impact by adopting a child from an unwanted pregnancy, preventing abortion and providing a stable life for a precious child.
Maybe you can make time for a significant volunteer effort in a "big sister/big brother" type relationship. A caring, wise mentor can change the course of a young persons' life, dramatically affecting their future for generations!
The list is endless. You decide how and what you want to do to help.
Neighbors should practice what the Bible teaches: “Religion that pleases God the Father must be pure and spotless. You must help needy orphans and widows and not let this world make you evil.” (James 1:27)
Build new friendships: The LYNC Coordinator will have a list of neighbors with similar interests and can introduce you. After meeting, you can work out a time to get together or through the LC, neighbors can offer and accept invitations to social and spiritual events on the neighborhood level; anything from a block party, a pick up sports game or Bible study to a joint neighborhood helps project.
It’s true, words are cheap. Christians in the LYNC Network hope you will see Jesus not just in their words but in their actions. But of course it does take words to communicate ideas and past events, and it takes words to present the Bible’s good news about who Jesus is and what He came to Earth to do for us. If Jesus is who He claimed to be then all that He taught and revealed would be true and that includes a lot of real good news for everyone of every faith, race, gender, nationality and social status.
The LYNC Network is established by Christians who do believe the claims of Jesus and the evidence of his death and resurrection so it is a great joy, privilege and responsibility to share that good news with everyone! So naturally that is one of the goals of the LYNC Network. HOWEVER we encourage LYNC Network members and all Christians to respect the viewpoints of others and to serve, befriend and love our neighbors whether or not they ever embrace our beliefs. That is why we encourage everyone to join with us in serving our neighbors whether or not you are a Christian.
We hope you get a chance to have some meaningful and encouraging dialog with the volunteers in your neighborhood. There is also a virtual conversation on the web site. The interactive conversation explains the basic universal principles upon which traditional orthodox Christianity is based. The material also tries to address some of the questions and concerns of those who do not believe in God or the Bible.
If it was a LYNC Coordinator that told you about this site, all you have to do is call or contact them. They will have a schedule of open invitations and events in your neighborhood where you can meet new friends, play some pick up games or enjoy a common interest.
If you have a need or want to help your neighbors they can add you to that list too.
If you'd like to become a LYNC Coordinator, they can help you get started. If you found this site without having met a LYNC Coordinator, then contact us by phone or email and we will help you get started in your neighborhood. Call an administrator or LYNC Coordinator at GAIN-A-LYNCN (657-205-9626) or email LYNCN at cox.net .