In the Bezeugen Blast, I often refer to witnessing in malls and having great conversations with people. Recently, I was asked, “how do you do it?” Their comment was basically related to their experience that if they go to the mall and hand out tracts that Security Officers will stop them and ask them to leave. On the Bezeugen Web Site, we offer a brief summary of how we witness in malls. Given the question I was asked, I thought it wise to devote a blog entry to this subject and then share it in the Bezeugen Blast.
Ten Commandment Coin
When Craig and I first started witnessing, we started in the malls. We were taught to take a Ten Commandment coin and hand it to someone and say, “did you get one of these?” This was a great way to start a conversation because people would naturally ask, “what is it?” We could explain it was a coin with the Ten Commandments on it and that lead directly to talking about the Law and the Gospel.
The Problem
The problem that arose was that by walking around the mall handing out these coins (or any other tract for that matter) it is technically against the policy of most malls. If you will look carefully by one of the doors, there is normally a sign that says it is against the mall policy to “distribute material.” Therefore if you are caught simply handing out the tracts and coins, then the mall security may ask you to leave. Now if you live someplace like Dallas where there are malls all over the place, then it is not so big of a deal. You simply go to a different mall for awhile.
The Solution
The solution is to engage people in conversation without first handing them a coin or a tract. Sounds difficult. But, you can do it. Here are a couple of ways to do it.
First, you can easily strike up conversations with people that work in the mall especially at the kiosks. Most of the kiosk employees will actually stop you. Show interest in their products and in them. If it is near a holiday or birthday ask them if the item would make a good gift. As you are talking, flip the conversation to the spiritual. Ask, “can I ask you an interesting question?” and then follow up with, “what do you think happens when you die?” If it is near Christmas, you can use that as a segway by asking, “Do you celebrate Christmas? If so, why? If not, why not?” Or ask, “why do you think Christians celebrate Christmas?” Please be cognizant of the employees time. Don’t distract them from other customers and even point out to them if another customer comes.
Second, notice people! Recently I saw a guy who was wearing a t-shirt with wings on the back. I went up to him and said, “I must ask, why the wings on your shirt?” He said, “I can fly!” Of course, I then replied, “prove it.” As he went over towards the railing, I told him that it was ok. That started a conversation that lead to sharing the Gospel with him.
Third, give tracts to cashiers! When you buy something, give a tract to the cashier. A million dollar bill makes a nice addition to a tip. At one mall in Dallas, we eat at the same restaurant nearly every week. The cashier has a complete collection of each one of our tracts. When we pay, I’ll say, “have you gotten this one yet?” She’ll take each one. We’ve shared the Gospel with her and the other employees at the restaurant, but they have not come to salvation yet.
Fourth, be discrete. As you go around the mall, you may want to be discrete in your conversations. It’s probably best not to strike up a conversation right in front of a security guard or block an entire walkway in the mall. Tom Price shared this story with me:
I was from the beginning concerned that we couldn’t pass out tracts at the mall, so I started by being as discreet as possible, keeping one eye out for security. Things were going fine until an old acquaintance came out of one of the big stores and spotted me. She is one of those bubbly, loud, outgoing types. When she asked me what I was doing, I told her I was giving out some gospel tracts. She asked to see one. She no sooner had it in her hand then she turned around and yelled out across 40 feet of empty space to someone, “Hey, did you get one of these?”
If you need tracts to hand out, then please enroll in the Bezeugen Tract Club.
Be a Mall Patron
Normally when we witness in the mall we eat lunch there first. After lunch, get a refill in your cup and carry your cup with you. This way you are a patron of the mall and not just hanging out or loitering.
Dealing with Security
Sometimes people will complain to security if they feel like you have bothered or offended them. If the security asks you to leave, ask what law you have broken. If there is one, then comply. Usually they will just say something like, “we don’t like people bothering our customers.”
Tom Price from Fayetville, NC told me about this encounter with mall security.
One time, I had a security guard “discreetly” follow me for about 30 minutes just waiting for me to hand something to someone. I was finally on my way out, and thinking he’d gotten tired of following me, gave out one of my last tracts. Man, he pounced on me immediately and told me I couldn’t do that. I asked him if he had something in writing and he got belligerent saying, “I’m telling you and that’s all you need to know.” I politely told him I respected his authority, but still would like to have a copy of the official mall policy. He ran over to a kiosk, grabbed a brochure explaining mall policies, and offered it to me. I took it and thanked him. As he was turning to leave, I said, “Thanks a million for letting me know,” and gave him a MDB. He froze for just an instant, and then kept it as I walked out.
Open Air at the Mall
Here is another idea for you. Witness to someone on the phone and talk real loud so others can hear you. We’ve thought of doing this with two of us in the mall at the same time in different areas. Or you could be in one mall and me in another. Hey, we should do that!! This idea comes from Ambassadors Academy. And I’ve done it a couple of times. One time I had arrived back at DFW around midnight. One of the academy alums was on facebook. So I called him and shared with him all my encounters witnessing in Times Square that week. Everyone around me heard the law and gospel. And since all I was doing is talking on my phone there is nothing anyone could do. This was actually at the airport, but the same thing would work at the mall. Two of us could go to two different malls and take turns witnessing to each other over the phone. This way the Gospel could actually be shared in two malls at the same time. If you want to do this with me sometime drop me a line and we will set up a time to do it.
What’s your Experience
I’d love to hear your experiences witnessing in the mall. Please post a comment and let me know your experiences: good and bad! Thanks!
I usaly just walk around and find someone sitting around or just hanging out. I say hi I’m from a local Church and I’m just out asking people what the believe about the afterlife, or God ,or what happens after you die. Or use t-shirt sayings.
Frederick, that is an awesome idea! When I was a college student, I used to do that regularly with fellow students on campus. Only once, I was stopped by an administrator, who I politely showed my student ID, and when she asked what I was doing, it led to an opportunity to share the gospel with her. Since I was doing it in a polite manner and wasn’t blocking any walkways, she allowed me to continue. If I may add, it might be a good idea to carry a compact or pocket bible as often as possible. That way, as opportunities present themselves, you can have God’s word right with you. You could then take someone to a verse (John 3:16 or Ephesians 2:8, 9 for example) and ask them what that means to them. Again, thanks for sharing the great suggestion!