Do We Need to Get Permission to Give Away Water?

Orginally published on Thursday, November 01, 2007 at 7:39 AM
by Todd Rhoades

Here's an interesting tongue-in-cheek answer to this question: "I am trying to start the new servant evangelism ministry in our church and am having some trouble. We would like to start with something simple, like handing out water. We are looking at places that will not effect their sales, but reach a decent amount of people. Most companies have turned us down when we ask for permission to hand out water one Saturday. Do you have any advice on getting past this? Thanks, Larry"

Hi Larry,

Water give aways are a good “training wheel” project, like getting up on the bike initially.  The goal is to see your people living in the “outflow,” 168 hours a week.  Having that perspective from the get go is vital.  In the meantime, go for it with the water.

I wouldn’t even bother to ask for permission.  In general my motto is “Don’t ask for permission unless you are in a setting that screams out that it is necessary to do so.”

The key is to skip any retail establishments.
The permission issue is one matter.
The other one is the slowness of traffic.

Letting people know what you are up to is essential - especially when you first start out doing this.  You need to set up at a great corner and give it out there.

To do this you need a couple of great sign “spinners”

- vinyl signs that are professionally made
- get a high energy guy or two a block then 50 yards leading up to your location
- “FREE WATER!”

To see some great “sign spinning” in action look on YouTube… it is nearly an art form now.  We are using this approach at our weekend meetings to help people find our location.

To give the water out - is simple: Light turns red, carefully, quickly hand people water.

DON’T ask, “Would you like some water?” They will often say, “No thanks” out of shock of something being free.  Just hand it to them and say, “Here’s some free water.  We’re showing God’s love in a practical way!” Of course your super cool connect card is with it as well.

NOTE:  If you block traffic someone will call the cops and you may be shut down at that corner.  Thus it is great to have a “light watcher” to call people back at the right time.

Hope that helps!  Let us know how it goes.  I predict that great things lie ahead for you.

From Steve Sjogren’s Serve! Newsletter...

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