LYNC Coordinator Visiting Tips

In order to familiarize yourself with the different features of the LYNC Network and make it easy to answer most of your neighbors' questions, we suggest simply reviewing the web site.  Just go to the home page and browse all the different conversation paths. For some suggestions about handling various spiritual topics you can review the online Summit site.  There are additional links that will help with that too. 

If you are not comfortable going alone or leading a team, just volunteer to go with an existing team member for a while until you are comfortable. 

Notebook/Spreadsheet Suggestions

You can use Excel or any spreadsheet and using filtering and sorting you can keep all the info in one worksheet.  Here are the files for doing that.  You would need to print the updates to use on the field/street while visiting.  If you had a team working together you can utilize Google Docs for free, that would allow you to share the info and collaborate.  Just remember to password the info so only your team can see it on the internet.

Or you can use plain notebooks and keep it simple.  if you use notebooks, we suggest keeping a couple of notebooks to make organization simpler.  You will actually have the same info categories in both books, one will be arranged by street number and contain all the details of each neighbor, including the ones that are not currently participating.  The other will be arranged by the needs, invitations etc. and will only include the ones that are participating so you can see at a glance who is doing or needing what and you don't have to remember the street number and try to match needs and volunteers by flipping through the full neighbor info notebook.. 

Neighbor Info

One notebook for visiting

• All the neighbors contact info arranged by street number
• Keep notes on visits and the specifics about needs and invitations, etc.. 
• You will want 1/3 to 1/2 a page for each address. 
• Start at the beginning of the street with the lowest numbers and enter each home with the following info:

• leave spaces in the notebook for all of the homes/addresses, even the ones you did not see that day and the ones that may not have the street number noted, you can fill them in later on a different day, and this way your numbers will be in order.

 A section in this one that has the names alphabetized would be useful too. 

LYNCiNg needs and interests together

   Another notebook is used to match people's needs and interests. This one has all the needs and volunteers grouped together and all of the events and interests grouped together.  You can separate them by category if you'd like (yard work, etc).  These would be listed as single line items clearly noted which is a need and which is a volunteer, so you can see at a glance who has needs and who volunteered for that area of need.  A suggestion is to use the code letters in the table above written in the margin.

 Likewise, do the same with invitations and interests.  Each line item is referenced to the address in the other notebook that has the neighbor's contact info and more specifics.

Right on the spot, while talking to the neighbor, you can refer to the "LYNC-N Matches" notebook and tell them of the need or invitation that matches their interests, or depending on the appropriateness of the situation, arrange a personal introduction later.

Spreadsheet

Using a computer spreadsheet has a number of advantages, but you would need to print the pages with any new updates and additions to be able to effectively use the info in the neighborhood.  The advantages are that you don't have to leave extra spaces for homes you haven't visited yet.  And the same neighbor info can be sorted and filtered and a needs sheet can be printed that does not have to be re-written, as in the separate notebook.  And with the spreadsheet needs form, it can include the details neatly printed on the same lines where you see the matches grouped together.   If you are computer savvy, you likely will want to do it this way.   Another LYNC Coordinator can help you with it or email us at and we'll help you with the spreadsheet or the notebooks.

By the way

We had all of the neighbor info on the internet (with automatic matching and email notifications) in secure SharePoint sites and PhP forums, but we changed to the notebook or personal spreadsheet method because we believe the information is better protected and the presentation is more personal by letting each LYNC Coordinator keep the info on the neighbors they have personally met.

Door to door tips

Be yourself.  You can talk about anything the Lord leads you to, or anything you feel like talking about!  These are your neighbors, just enjoy getting out and meeting them.  However it is good to have some basic ideas planned ahead, in case nothing special to say hits you at the moment.

Points to touch on:

1. Introduce yourself:
   1. Your name
   2. and the street you live on
2. Introduce the LYNC Network
   1. Christians and neighbors around you have volunteered to help those in need, We want to help in all kinds of areas, everything from:
      • yard work for the elderly
      • Fixing a fence
      • house cleaning
      • to Car work and house repairs
      • (Check first and limit the list you mention to the areas of service that are volunteered for in your neighborhood.)
   2. Do you know of any needs?
   3. Nearby elderly or disabled
   4. Is everything going well in your household, could you use a hand right now?
3. If it comes up: Why are we doing this? 
   1. Following Jesus is about more than going to church on Sunday.
      • God wants us to help those in need,
      • encourage those that are depressed and
      • to show the love of God to everyone we meet, especially our neighbors.
   2. We also want to show everyone that Christians not only agree on what we believe, we are working together to share our faith with the world around us.
      • Jesus did not come to condemn people or to take away their fun, but
      • He wants us all to have an abundant life, and
      • we'd be glad to talk to you about that as well.
4. Use diagnostic questions to see if they are born again believers (See Summit for suggestions).  If so invite them to join us.
5. Leave an invitation card and or a DVD like Jesus, Fact or Fiction?

Make it a point to return a few weeks later for follow up if possible.

Resources

Contact cards and other forms are available for download.

Go to download page

Doctrinal Position