Guidelines

Following are some general guidelines and tips for what to do and not do in the booth.

The goal is to plant a seed of truth in the hearts of visitors to the booth. We need not expect to make a convert on the spot or lead someone in a prayer of salvation. If that happens, great(!), but the hope is to at least plant a seed by sending people home with the booklet What Really Happened to the Dinosaurs? in which the gospel message is presented.

Our plan of action is:
1) praying in advance for the Holy Spirit to give us the right words and heart
2) at the minimum, handing out (at no charge) a booklet or gospel tract
3) graciously, respectfully and non-defensively talking with people
4) as the interest warrants, offering for sale either:
a) a daily devotional or
b) the book Puzzle of Ancient Man for $2
5) offering a flyer about Design Science Association meetings
6) praying for each individual after he/she has left the booth.

Collection of funds is ever-so-simple: cash only, no change made, and deposited in a 5-gallon bucket with bricks in the bottom and a slot in the lid. If someone needs change, offer to sell him/her more than one copy of the book, to make for a larger dollar amount, or simply give them the book if you are convinced their interest is sincere. We normally do not give the books away because that implies they are of little or no value. A book that someone has paid for is more likely to be read.

We want to avoid debating because if it should happen that YOU win, then THEY lose. Which means you lose too!

We want to talk WITH people, not AT people. We want a dialogue, a two-way conversation, not a one-way monologue rolling out of our mouths. One of the most generous, giving things we can do in a conversation is simply to LISTEN. If we listen to someone else, they are more likely to listen to us. Try to engage the person with questions such as:
“Are you with me?”
“Am I talking too much? What do you think?”
“Have you heard any of this before?”
“How much have you heard of scientists who do not believe in evolution?”

Rather than negatively attacking the fallacy of a notion someone has, try instead to positively share what is true. For instance, “A loving God could never send someone to hell!” Well, God is loving, indeed, and is merciful and gracious. He is also righteous and in holiness MUST judge sin. Fortunately, in His grace He has offered a solution to sin, and let me tell you about that solution…

If asked a scientific question, the answer to which you do not know, feel free to:
1) look in the subject index of the devotional Have You Considered?
2) suggest the website AnswersinGenesis.org
3) respond simply and truthfully that you do not know.

And again, please be in prayer that the Holy Spirit give you the right words and a loving heart for reaching out to people with the truth.