Open Air Preaching

I certainly don't want to be hostile to outsiders on purpose. However, a biblical church is going to be VERY hostile, by it's nature, to unrepentant lost sinners. If a church is preaching Judgment, righteousness, warning of hell, etc., like they SHOULD be, a outsider will feel very uncomfortable.

It's not just to "go". We are commanded to preach (2 Tim 4). "Preaching" is God's method, not mans. "Tracting" is certainly a man made (if there is such a thing) method, though. Not only that, we are commanded to preach the gospel at every opportunity.

"Light shining" does not mean some angellic glow. It is a metaphor for doing good, and being holy, in deed. So, for example, evangelists that go out and feed hungry homeless people, and THEN preach a gospel message, are "letting their light shine".

 

To each his own calling. It would be a sad scene for the churches if every pastor was a street preacher. Some of us are too formal by nature to adapt to effective street preaching. I do know one man who gave his entire life to street preaching. His book was entitled, "Around the World on a Shoestring. This he did during the 30's and 40's. His only income was from when he preached in churches at home.

To-day, there are limitations in some areas by laws regardiing assembly in the streets. The cities have designated areas for outdoor speaking of all sorts.

There was reportedly a beggar who sat outside Sprugeon's church. His only message was: "I am just a fool and nothing at all, but Jesus Christ is my all in all." If that be true, I wonder how many will attribute this witness to their salvation.

We never really know what little word or action will be the guiding light.

Cheers,

Jim

 

Sorry, already posted this.

 

I agree. We've talked to people before and found out that our tracts actually get passed around.

Agreed. We have a great evangelism team that goes out on the streets as a group several times a month (in addition to their individual witnessing).

 

My favorite way to draw a crowd is to put up a sign that says "Stump the Professor and win a prize! All questions answered: Science! Music! Sports! Literature! History! Pop Culture! Religion! Pop Culture!"

Used to do that one in New York.

Of course, I got plenty wrong but the point isn't to get them all right, but just to draw a crowd. Eventually, somebody would ask something that I could use to introduce the Gospel.

I also had a sign that said "Lonesome? Need somebody to talk to? Talk to me. ABSOLUTELY FREE!"

I used to attract four or five people a day with that one. Got to pray with them and witness to them.

We went to a street fair last year on a particularly hot day and one of our church members came by in his truck (he couldn't stay with us because of health reasons), but he brought us some coolers with ice and a couple of cases of water.

We started giving water away and when people would come over, we'd talk to them a little and witness to them. I know of three people who got saved as a result of that.

 

It's wonderful if a pastor is able to street preach, but a pastor's first responsibility is to his church. Most pastors have their hands full fulfilling the duties of a pastor laid out in scripture.

 

I have had some sucess by the grace of God on several college campuses with this one so I will share it.

I take a little toy that came in a burger king kids meal. It is the mascot of the chain, the king. I put it in my pocket and walk around campus and look for a group of students. I then, with a raised voice, proceed to speak about relative truth and I ask if they feel that all religions are equally valid. Many will respond with a "yes". And I say something like, "Im glad you say that because I am looking for a place that will embrace my new religion." I want to show you the king." And I pull the little toy out of my pocket.

The looks on their faces are priceless. About 80% of the time a student will tell me how "stupid" I am for thinking that and the door is open for our evangelism encounter. It give the me the chance to speek about world religions and how they can't all be right when they teach different things. After a gospel presentation I pass out some tracts. I must admitt I have a lot of fun with this one.