Issues I Have with Street Preaching

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Mattie Feb 22, 2008

Let me start by saying street preaching is biblical. I am not against someone proclaiming the Gospel in the streets. My only issue is how much of it is done today. The street preachers I notice in NYC and in many other places here in the states distance themselves far too much from the hearers, almost too make themselves superior and the unbelieving hearers inferior.

Jesus was a Man who dialogued with the hearers around Him. Much of His strongest preaching towards sin actually took place in the religious setting of the synagogue and temple rather than in the streets. However, we find Jesus a Man who answered the questions that were addressed Him. Ravenhill once said 'Truth never fears examination.'

Street preachers today I find are very insecure and have a one track mind in how they've planned their preaching. It's planned out, very zealous, and the steps are all there (the Romans Road, the 4 Steps, etc.)

Jesus had no steps and neither did the early church. What did Phillip do with the Ethiopian Eunuch he encountered in the Gaza desert? Acts 8 tells us he spoke to him about Christ from the very Scripture he was reading. Paul would "reason" from the Scriptures the things concerning Christ. He spoke to them and not AT them.

I'm not against hell-fire preaching, and coming against sin, I'm against the attitude and the posture that many street preachers do it. It appears to be done in much arrogance

sermonindex Feb 22, 2008

This is a grievious topic.

If we'd only do it by the Book/Spirit and not books.

When we do it ~~[b]~~as[/b] Jesus did - then our 'works' won't be burnt up. 1 Corth 3

Paul never forgot where he came 'from' and neither did the others, back then.

Praying GOD will show us.

Thanks Mattie.

sermonindex Feb 22, 2008

Mattie wrote:
Street preachers today I find are very insecure and have a one track mind in how they've planned their preaching. It's planned out, very zealous, and the steps are all there (the Romans Road, the 4 Steps, etc.)
Jesus had no steps and neither did the early church. What did Phillip do with the Ethiopian Eunuch he encountered in the Gaza desert? Acts 8 tells us he spoke to him about Christ from the very Scripture he was reading.

Hi Mattie,

Is it the methods they are using you are against or methods in general. I street preach and I use Romans alot because there are alot of verses that pertain to salvation. The early church did have steps that is why we have the Romans Road. Many preachers use the Romans Road because it is very effective and easy to understand for someone who is lost. It's a great foundation when preaching the gospel.

I think I understand what you are saying though. I know there are alot of street preachers that seem as though they have forgotten that these are people they are preaching to and that they are no different than we were when we were lost. I will be participating with my church to feed the homeless next month and this will help me to understand the needs of our community better.

I do try to keep in mind the suffering and needs of others when I preach and I know that is important. Thanks for sharing that.

sermonindex Feb 22, 2008

Concerns about streat preaching should always be listened to by the street preacher.
However anyone who raises those concerns and yet says they believe street preaching is biblical needs to make sure they are actual doing it as well.
You cannot really understand some of the dynamics and stress that accompany street preaching unless you have tried it at least two or three times.
God bless, John

sermonindex Feb 22, 2008

One thing Jesus and people like Paul did when they preached to the crowds is they ~~[b]~~engaged[/b] the crowd. They did not preach AT the crowd, they preached TO the crowd.

I like the way Ray Comfort does it. But for the most part, todays street preachers grap a mega-phone and some obnoxious sign and start yelling... and then wonder why no one got saved.

Krispy

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Mattie Feb 22, 2008

Bekka...thanks for sharing. I'm not anti-methods. You are right in that in the Acts they did have methods (Paul had a custom of being in the synagogue on the Sabbath, the riverside where the women prayed in Philippi etc). I'm only against methods when it loses that willingness to hear those that are preached to. I pray that God continues to bless you in the work you do.

thingsfromabove...I've only gone out a few times to street preach but I find in this city it's more effective to actually speak with the people on an intimate basis. Alot of people have questions that need to be respected. I'm not trying to be seeker-friendly, because the way to Christ must not be compromised. All I mean is I see there is a great need to be willing to listen to the hearers we speak to. Street preaching is needed as well, but it's how it is done that is important. Acts 17:26 when Paul spoke at Mars Hill and preached it was in a setting where he had understanding of the philosphers belief system because he was reasoning with them. He "observed their altars and saw the altar to an unknown God" and from there He proclaimed God to them.

sermonindex Feb 22, 2008

Amen Mattie, I have open air preached roughly twenty times. Made mistakes but also did some good as well. I have done hundreds of one on one witnessing and prefer that.
Krispy, I have learned alot from Ray, his books and videos. I am always encouraged by him.
Lord bless you all, John

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PreachParsly Feb 22, 2008

Let me start by saying street preaching is biblical. I am not against someone proclaiming the Gospel in the streets. My only issue is how much of it is done today. The street preachers I notice in NYC and in many other places here in the states distance themselves far too much from the hearers, almost too make themselves superior and the unbelieving hearers inferior.
Jesus was a Man who dialogued with the hearers around Him. Much of His strongest preaching towards sin actually took place in the religious setting of the synagogue and temple rather than in the streets. However, we find Jesus a Man who answered the questions that were addressed Him. Ravenhill once said 'Truth never fears examination.'
Street preachers today I find are very insecure and have a one track mind in how they've planned their preaching. It's planned out, very zealous, and the steps are all there (the Romans Road, the 4 Steps, etc.)
Jesus had no steps and neither did the early church. What did Phillip do with the Ethiopian Eunuch he encountered in the Gaza desert? Acts 8 tells us he spoke to him about Christ from the very Scripture he was reading. Paul would "reason" from the Scriptures the things concerning Christ. He spoke to them and not AT them.
I'm not against hell-fire preaching, and coming against sin, I'm against the attitude and the posture that many street preachers do it. It appears to be done in much arrogance

That's interesting. Most of the street preachers I've seen actually want dialog. I think your ideal situation is that you start preaching, a crowd gathers, then you dialog back and forth. It's so much easier to preach to a crowd that is interacting with you on the street.

BUT, let me say that sometimes you have to chose between preaching to many or allowing one person to take you into a one-to-one conversation. Sometimes you should forget about preaching to the multitude and just speak with the one. Then at other times someone is just not wanting you to preach to the multitude; in that instance you would ignore the person and keep preaching. Different circumstances call for different action. There has been times that instead of preaching to a multitude of people I have decided to just speak with one that came up to me while I was preaching. Then at other times I've completely ignored someone because their only purpose was to stop me from preaching- not because they were sincere.

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Lawevangelis Feb 22, 2008

The brand of street preaching which involves intentional "distance" is anti-biblical: big sandwich boards, banners, sunglasses, etc. These guys don't preach the Gospel anyway. It's a sin bashing fest with lots of talk about repentance (which is vital), but not much at all about Christ.

It is not always possible to "dialog" in a street preaching setting. We are not commanded to go and debate the Gospel, but proclaim it. Some people seem to think that they haven't accomplished anything unless: 1) they have a big crowd, 2) they have a heckler or 3) they aren't in a confrontation with police. I used to be one of those, but now am content to preach the Word and let our Lord take care of the rest.

If I get a heckler, I'll answer his questions and then try to shut him up because I am not there to provide a side-show for passersby, but to proclaim the Gospel.

Additionally, open-air is not the only thing I do when I'm out there. I also pass out tracts and engage people in one-to-one. This week we set up a Bible table on the campus we preached at and were out in a matter of minutes.

I only share this to show you that there are alternatives. Not everyone is doing that kind of thing that you describe.

Blessings,

Jon

sermonindex Feb 22, 2008

That's interesting. Most of the street preachers I've seen actually want dialog. I think your ideal situation is that you start preaching, a crowd gathers, then you dialog back and forth. It's so much easier to preach to a crowd that is interacting with you on the street.

Unfortunately here in western North Carolina the only street preachers we seem to attract are the starch white shirt, black polyester pants, white socks and black dress shoes kinda guys... with a bull horn and an offensive sign. Lately these guys have been very antagonistic toward the authorities as well.

I'm all for free speech, and I will fight to defend their rights to be there... and there are a few laws here that are being fought pertaining to this very thing, and I support fighting those laws.

However... being an obnoxious jerk does not win the lost. And thats what I have witnessed here. I hate it.

Jesus turned the tables and used a whip on people, thats to be sure. But thats NOT how He treated the lost, thats how He treated the so-called "religious" people.

But today many street preachers have it backwards.

Not to get back to Calvinism, but John Calvin tried to enforce his religious beliefs and his morals on the City of Geneva and failed miserably. Why? Because he tried to make people fall in line without converting the heart.

Condemning homosexuality in the public square isnt the way to win a homosexual. Yes, he needs to be convinced he is a sinner, but how about drawing that man or woman to Christ instead of yelling in their face that they are reprobates? This is what I have seen here in my little part of the world.

A bunch of Independent Baptist churches in Asheville pooled their money last year and took out a full page ad in the Asheville newspaper... and in it they quoted just about every scripture they could find condemning homosexuality.

Why? The homosexual reading that isnt convinced that the Bible is the Word of God anyway... and even if he/she does give some credit to the Bible they have probably convinced themselves that the Bible is cool with homosexuality. So whats the point of taking out a full page ad?

Is there any other sin, except abortion, where we condemn the sin publicly and obnoxiously... hopeing someone will get saved?

Can you imagine doing that over the sin of gluttony? Most of these Baptists here in town wont because most of them are tipping the scales at around 300 pounds.

If you want to street preach, then street preach. But for pete's sake, dress like a normal human being. Leave your pithy offensive signs at home with your bull horn. Just get out there and strike up a conversation with a couple people. Soon, before you know a few more folks might stop and listen... next thing you know, you're preaching the gospel as Christ did.

The whip and the table turn overs are meant for the religious crowd, not the lost crowd. Love and compassion is for the lost.

Krispy

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PreachParsly Feb 22, 2008

The brand of street preaching which involves intentional "distance" is anti-biblical: big sandwich boards, banners, sunglasses, etc. These guys don't preach the Gospel anyway.

So if I ever ware a sandwich board, have a sign, or ware sunglasses I don't preach the gospel? I hope you don't think that. I use signs and ware a sandwich board often. And I often get conversations... Much more than when I didn't use them.

S

Smokey Feb 22, 2008

Just to toss in my 2 cents worth.

If a person is truly led by the Spirit, who are we to challenge their methods. I agree that there is probably a lot of street preaching that is done in man,s power, but the name of Jesus is being preached.
When you study how God used prophets and preachers to confront a backsliding nation of Israel, most preaching today is mild!

Blessings Greg ;-)

sermonindex Feb 22, 2008

When you study how God used prophets and preachers to confront a backsliding nation of Israel, most preaching today is mild!

We should always be bold with the truth. I dont think anyone is questioning that. I just dont think most folks respond to the combative methods I have seen. Wear a sandwich board if thats what sparks conversations with people. The issue I have is the condemning nature most street preachers I see around here take.

~~[b]~~John 8:10-11[/b] ~~[i]~~When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, [color=FF0000]Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?[/color] She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, [color=FF0000]Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.[/color][/i]

Again, the only people that Jesus assumed a combative posture with were the people who thought themselves to be religious.

He was never combative with sinners and lost people. In fact, He was most gracious and hospitable toward them.

But today many feel they have to combat sinners, and thats not what we see in the Bible. It's an "us against them" mentality, and we'll never win souls that way. The only people who should be soul winning are those who have asked God to give them His heart and attitude toward the lost... and have received it. If you dont have a true heart breaking burden for the unsaved, then you will be combative instead of compassionate.

Wanna reach the lost? Invite them to your home for dinner. Invite a prostitute and a con-artist car salesmen to your house. Eat with them, get to know them... then begin to tell stories like Jesus did. Take His parables and put a modern day twist on them. Tell them about Jesus.

Unfortunately most Christians' idea of soul winning is inviting someone to church, or arranging for the lost person to meet their pastor. Thats not evangelism. The gathering together of the church was not meant for evangelism... it was meant for the believers.... to build up, equip and encourage.

Get out there and get your hands dirty. Visit the sick and the imprisoned. Thats NOT your pastor's job, thats YOUR job.

Get out into the highways and byways. Street preach... if God has called you to wear a sandwich board, then God bless ya. It's not my thing.

But the example we have in the Bible is a compassion for the lost. A love for the lost. Not a despising of the sinner... or a combative posture.

Just my 79 cents worth. (Inflation, ya know... blame it on big oil)

Krispy

sermonindex Feb 22, 2008

Sometimes street preaching to some can become a fad, and for the few thats out there thats actually making a difference, it kind of makes it hard for them.

When young preachers start out there is a zeal for godliness and holiness and after awhile much of it gets lost by way of arrogance. But if they are truly His, they will be corrected and they may end up in the hog pen again just as a reminder that we are no different than the world. We were very much feeding off the slop of this world, but God had mercy on us and took us out of that mess and cleaned us up.

We must never forget that when we are ministering to the world. We are standing today because of His grace and mercy, and we extend that same message to the world.

M

Miccah Feb 22, 2008

KrispyKrittr wrote:

Wanna reach the lost? Invite them to your home for dinner. Invite a prostitute...

It is also highly suggested that you get your wife's approval before you do this one. :-)

In all seriousness, I will agree with the Krisp on keeping things personal.

At times, personal is more effective then blanket. There is a time for both, but if it is done without love, without humblness and a without a fear of the Lord, it will be done of the flesh.

I thank God that these men and woman would be burdened with a passion for the lost.

sermonindex Feb 22, 2008

It is also highly suggested that you get your wife's approval before you do this one.

It's funny, when I wrote that I thought "I wonder if I should clarify that...?"

And then thought "Naw... everyone will understand what I mean!"

Thanx for clarifying that for me! All y'all married guys out there, let your wife minister to the prostitute! And whatever you do, dont try to minister to her on the street... the cops are not going to believe you.

Krispy

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narrowpath Feb 22, 2008

Street Preaching here in England is one of the most challanging things I've ever done.
Most of the time we do not even get an audience.
There are days where almost nobody even takes a tract.
You battle your fear, embarrasment and your pride. You battle hecklers and meet people you know. I do not prepare sermons since few people stay to listen. I ask the Holy Spirit to guide me. Sometimes I preach under annointing, sometimes God leaves me without it. Yes, I also say wrong things or get things wrong, but God is always there someway or another.

If we have prayed well before, things are easier. God sets divine appointments. It is good to be in a little team. Singing helps a bit.

Last Sunday we baptised 6 people in our church, 2 of them came to faith by street preaching, actually whole year of street preaching. One of them a Muslim and the other an alcoholic, mentally ill young lady.

It's worth it.

Philip

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Miccah Feb 22, 2008

narrowpath wrote:

t's worth it.

Amen brother

M

Mattie Feb 23, 2008

Jesus never spoke the same way to the individuals He encountered. He discerned the moment and the word that was to be given. It's easy to get into a routine of what to say, how to say and when to say it. Our evangelism must again be led and empowered by the Person of the Holy Spirit, or it is not evangelism AT ALL, but works and striving in our own strength.

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narrowpath Feb 23, 2008

It's easy to get into a routine of what to say, how to say and when to say it. Our evangelism must again be led and empowered by the Person of the Holy Spirit, or it is not evangelism AT ALL, but works and striving in our own strength.

Absolutely true.

Mattie, have you ever stood on a soap box in a town square? If that is your advise, than do it accordingly.

narrowpath