Taking it to the Streets… How?
// February 5th, 2007 // Church Life
I came across an interesting article over at Relevant Magazine. In the article, he talks about an excentric character in his town that preaches the Gospel in some unorthodox ways. Most towns have them, and it reminded me of a similar preacher that used to appear on campus while I attended Appalachian State University several years back.
He would come blazing through town about once a month. There was a large grassy area at the center of campus. When the weather was nice enough, it was the hub of activity. This is where this street preacher would go. He carried a giant Bible and shook it in the air like a fiery sword. He would scream so loud his voice cracked. He would shout things like “Homosexuals will be judged by a Holy God!” and “Sinners are going to Hell! All are sinners!” Each bellowing statement was directed at any pedestrian that had the misfortune of walking within 5 feet of him.
As soon as he made eye contact with a passerby he would call them out individually by saying something like, “You, sir! You are a sinner! Do you want to go to Hell?” You can imagine the response he usually received. Typically he was informed that he was mistaken about who should be going to Hell and who should not. Many times he would get a crowd gathered and worked them into a riotous fervor. The responses were often angry. Often mocking.
On one such occasion it so happened that he was preaching on the same day that some art students were doing a “living art” demonstration in the same common area. The art students erected a wooden cross while a young man dressed in a black leather uni-suit strapped himself to it. Then a dominatrix whipped him on the cross. It was perhaps the most blasphemous thing I have ever witnessed. You could feel the heart of God both sorrowful and wrathful at the same time.
When the street preacher saw this, I thought his face would implode. He began screaming nonsensical things and shaking his finger at them violently. Within minutes, other people in the crowd were yelling at him, at each other, at anyone. There was some shoving and pushing. The preacher and one of the crowd members nearly came to blows. It was an absolute circus.
There was a poignant moment for me as I stood there watching. I suddenly felt like weeping. It was not because of the ignorant blasphemy I saw. No, it was because this preacher’s methods were so misguided he had ruined a God-given opportunity to deliver the Gospel. I realized in that moment that his anger and loveless message was actually causing this mob to sympathize with the art students and despise the true gospel. What would have happened had this preacher spent more time talking with students instead of yelling at them as they walked by? What would have happened if in that moment on the hill he already had the hearts of those students? What would have happened had the preacher quietly walked over to the young man tied to the cross, removed his bonds and put himself on the cross in his place?
I certainly understand that there is scriptural precedent for preaching aloud in the marketplace. Nor is having everyone receive your message the primary criteria for success. John the Baptist and Jesus are both excellent proof of that! But don’t we need to look at our motives as well as our methods and ask the question, “What Gospel are we preaching and how can we best preach it?”
Let us know what you think in the comments. Certainly most of us have had similar experiences.
Technorati Tags: Jesus, Christ, Gospel, Preaching, Street Preaching, Evangelism, Outreach, Marketplace Ministry, Blasphemy, John the Baptist, Bible, Scripture
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Hello Brother,
Read you article. I’m a new street preacher, I’ve been doing it for a few months now and it’s been wonderful.
I understand what you’re saying about the “techniques” of some street preachers. Sometimes, I often wonder if it’s just a way for people to air their bad attitudes and judgemental opinions on the world. Fortunately for God, He can use anybody and any message to win the lost.
On the other hand, if we see Jesus as our example and our master. He told us exactly what to preach “Go, preach, the Kingdom of God is here.” And then He told us exactly what to do “Heal the sick, cast out devils, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers”. It’s proclamation and demonstration.
Personally, I preach the freedom of Jesus and the Kingdom of God. I preach that the Kingdom of God is here to set your free from this world and that the only way to enter this Kingdom of God is to be born again. And then I explain what born again means. Sometimes I’ll get pointed if I feel a certain direction that the Lord is leading me towards, but it always begins with “The Kingdom of God is here to set you free from this world and the bondage and death that comes with it”. Moses brought the Law, but Jesus brought grace and truth.
It’s definitely interesting to stand in the open public proclaiming the good news of God and I give credit to those that give an honest attempt at it. If you’re a believer and have never done it, you’re certainly missing out on a great blessing from God.
I’ve written some articles about preaching on the streets that you can find here: http://www.howtobecomeamissionary.com/category/street-preaching/ . They may be of interest.
Thanks for your time, feel free to question or comment.
Paul
Thanks for your comment! I agree that street preaching, when done with the heart of Jesus in view is a powerful thing. There’s something about the unashamed proclamation of the Gospel that flies in the face of the Enemy and attracts sincere seekers.
I actually know a young man who in recent years received Christ while listening to a street preacher in downtown Raleigh, NC. God Bless you in what you are doing!
(I like your blog too…)
There have been 2 seperate occasions where we were preaching on the streets and people drove off the road and pulled into the gas station where we were and asked “I need Jesus.” They didn’t even get gas, they just left after getting Jesus. Truely remarkable.
They didn’t hear one word we said, not one great articulation of the Kingdom. They just saw some representatives of Jesus and wanted to give their lives.
http://www.madetopraisehim.com/item/703 This brother has a video on his blog that shows something from nature that bears witness to this.
A dear brother of mine, Mike Slayden, always reminds me, God’s more interested in your availability than your ability. If you’re available, He’ll make you able.
We’re just told to preach the freedom of the Kingdom to the world and God does the rest!!
Be blessed,
Paul
“God’s more interested in your availability than your ability.”
Well said! I couldn’t agree more. There are countless people in whom God has put immeasurable talent and gifting and are thoroughly squandering it. I believe that God delights in taking the “meek” and giving them the “earth”. When the untalented and broken are used to do miracles God gets ALL the glory.