Guidelines for Battery or Bulb Change Outreach
Guidelines for Battery or Bulb Change
Overview: The purpose of this outreach is to connect believers to seekers through kindness act of giving away light bulbs or changing out smoke detector batteries in a neighborhood. This is a very personal touch, done from one home to the next along a street or in a sub-division. Each connection will be unique in how much time and care is given as the act of serving takes place. This outreach can be done with a team of 2 or 3 or as many as 15-16.
Step One: Six Weeks: As with all successful outreach events, this one begins with prayer and with a vision of how to connect believers with their neighbors and create bridges the good news can cross over. Determine the street, neighborhood or sub-division you want to serve and count the number of homes to be served.
Step Two: Four Weeks: Build your team based on the number of streets and homes you want to reach out to. In a two hour outreach, a team of two or three servants can cover about 25 to 35 homes for smoke alarm batteries and about 45-60 homes for free light bulbs. You might look for specific “senior & no kids” subdivisions, and install the bulbs for them if requested. Base you team on this and how many homes you want to serve.
Step Three: Two Weeks: Have a team “map the neighborhood” by drawing the streets and the number of homes in the neighborhood. This will serve two purposes: 1) as you divide the team in twos or threes, each team will have a map indicating their homes to serve, 2) as you shop for batteries or light bulbs, this map will give you a number of items to buy.
Step Four: One week: Let the team members know where to meet for prayer and assignments the day of the event. Purchase the supplies. Add a few inexpensive smoke detectors in the event even a battery change doesn’t make it work. Replace it if the homeowner will allow it. You will need a 9V battery per home (some will take two, others none, and some neighborhoods have all smoke alarms wired in to the electrical system so be sure to check your neighborhood for needs first.) You will need two bulbs per home. Some will need none, others two or more. Also, bring a small step stool or ladder per team to help you reach the smoke detectors or lights.
What to Expect/What to Say: Door-to-door fundraisers can be seen as an interruption so make it clear you are serving for free. Perhaps, “we’re from Seacoast Vineyard Church and we are serving for free in your neighborhood. We know everyone should change out their batteries in their smoke alarms, and we have a free battery to give you. Would you let us install it for you?” or “Everyone needs light bulbs, would you like a regular bulb or a new florescent bulb.?” Be sensitive to any apprehensions and assure them you are there to serve for free, no strings attached. Be sure to test it for working order before you leave. If the home owner is a senior citizen ask if you can replace their bulbs, too (this can be difficult for some to do on their own.)
Cautions: If there is not an adult at home or you sense from the person’s demeanor (intoxicated, scantily dressed) you should not enter the home, as a protection to you, simple present the battery or bulb at the door and continue the conversation outside. Remember to always stay together in teams of two Don’t accept payment or gifts.
Connecting: As you connect, be sure to ask questions about their family, activities, faith; find out how you can pray for them and listen for questions they have about God and church. Be ready to explain why we serve like this for free (God gave us His free gift of Jesus, so we give ourselves away, too.) Don’t be surprised if someone you serve shows up for church next weekend.
Be ready for the whole spectrum of responses: some will be WOWed and let you right in to their lives, others will be apprehensive, and others will say no thanks. Make sure you give away a smile and an encouraging word to everyone.