Fresh Ideas: Taking Christ to the Condos – by Diana Davis

We sold our sprawling suburban home and moved into a small condo in downtown Indianapolis. Like hundreds of thousands of people across America, we’ve become urban, multihousing dwellers.

Davis

Do you realize that well over half of all people living in North America reside in multihousing, such as condos, apartments and high rises? And an estimated 95 percent of multihousing residents are lost without Christ! This means that in our one-mile-square, primarily-multihousing downtown, nearly 19,000 (that’s 95 percent) people need Jesus. What a mission field!

How can a Christian tiptoe through rules, privacy issues and cultural barriers to share Christ in urban condos or apartments? Here are five tips:

1) Check it out. Careful research helps focus your evangelism or church planting efforts. For example, condo dwellers have higher-than-average incomes, and much larger proportions of both young and elderly occupants. Get research help at namb.net, census.gov and lifeway.com.

2) Get out. Casually initiate relationships in your apartment or condo with the intention of sharing Christ. Make yourself accessible. Use the gym or barbecue. Walk your dog. Jog. Attend condo meetings and events. Learn neighbors’ names and pray for them.

3) Watch out. Sharing Christ in multihousing areas can have unique challenges. Don’t unintentionally negate your influence. Meticulously follow condo or apartment policies. Knocking door-to-door is probably prohibited. Park correctly. Pick up after your pet. Use the proper community board or web-board for church ads.

4) Live it out. We’re amazed how often neighbors we barely know ask for advice or help because we’re the only Christians they know. Carefully guard your words and reputation. Live joyfully. Loan a Christian book. Welcome newcomers. Invite them to your church. Offer to pray for someone. Begin a Bible study. Share a testimony about God’s work in your life.

5) Help out. Respond quickly when God opens ministry doors. Jump a dead battery. Help carry groceries. Offer a lift to the airport. Sign for a package. Help in crisis situations. Share soup on a snowy day. Send a sympathy note. Deliver cookies to new residents and give tips about the area. Be a friend first. Opportunities to share Christ will follow.

America’s multihousing residences are bulging with evangelistic opportunities. How will your church reach them? Father God, give me a compassionate heart to see my neighbors through your eyes. Please bring laborers for this harvest among urban dwellers. “Jesus went about all the cities and villages – but when he saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion on them” (Matthew 9:35-36 KJV).

 

– Davis is a columnist, speaker, and author of “Deacon Wives” and “Fresh Ideas for Women’s Ministry” (B&H Publishing). Read more at www.keeponshining.com.