PRACTICAL
PREACHING PRINCIPLES
In our previous three chapters we
have documented street preaching through the Bible, throughout history, and have given an
outline of what to expect if one is to follow the BIBLICAL example. Once again, street
preaching is the main method of outreach in the OLD and NEW TESTAMENTS and for over 2000
years has been the most effective method of reaching the most people at the least
expense in the least amount of time.
As Spurgeon said, most REVIVALS have
been the result of OPEN AIR PREACHING! STREET PREACHERS launched the METHODIST and
PRESBYTERIAN denominations, as well as the FRANCISCANS, DOMINICANS, and the MODERN
MISSIONS MOVEMENT, not to mention the REFORMATION, and two GREAT AWAKENINGS.
In this our fourth chapter in this
series on STREET PREACHING we will provide practical information on this most
important subject. Again, this information, neglected by churches, Bible colleges,
seminars, workshops and books is for all practical purposes unavailable. With these
chapters we bridge that gap.
In these pages will concentrate on
THE PRACTICAL ASPECTS OF STREET PREACHING. Specifically, we will demonstrate how to
do it in our day and culture with its particular problems and opportunities. Based on our
experience of 25+ years of OPEN AIR PREACHING we will discuss the different types of
STREET PREACHING, the different settings, audiences, security problems, laws, how to work
with the local police, and things you need to know to be effective. Our first topic of
concern will be:
THE AUDIENCE
It is critical to determine
specifically and accurately who is being addressed. The STREET PREACHERS
audience will range from lost people who have never heard the GOSPEL, to those
well-churched. It will vary from crowds that are hostile and intent on doing violence to
any who take a bold moral stand, to those who welcome the message, having ears to hear,
and their lives changed because of the bold proclamation of GODS WORD.
The MESSAGE and APPROACH will be
vastly different when preaching to people who have never heard the name of CHRIST than for
those who have heard it over and over and rejected it (Luke 12:47-48). Indeed, even the
preachers response will be different being based on the response and accountability
of his listeners (Luke 12:47-48). As a public proclaimer of the WORD OF GOD you will be
called upon to preach not only the Gospel but, indeed, the KINGDOM OF GOD and even (as
best you can) the "emotion" of God (anger, compassion, patience, etc.) . With
this in mind your subject matter (as with the audience) will range across the gamut of
Biblical wisdom and exhortation. As with Paul on Mars Hill you will be called to
challenge the current thought: the mores and standards of our time. In line with the
prophets of old your field will encompass the evils of the day as well as even your
wayward brethren. As you can see the job is large and challenging with its necessary
starting point of your hearers needs and requirements.
Each outdoor preaching situation has
a different audience and thereby requires a difference in MESSAGE as well as APPROACH. The
situation and crowd at a COLLEGE FREE SPEECH PLATFORM is quite different from a SPORTING
EVENT or a ROCK CONCERT. It is usually desirable to get a crowd gathered on a campus but
NOT on a street corner where a crowd would block traffic. On a street corner the preacher
is addressing an audience that is constantly moving, or waiting for the "DONT
WALK" sign to change. As such his "sermons" must be tailored by condensing
the message to a few seconds or a minute or two. In contrast, a COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY
CAMPUS lends itself to hours of dialogue with a stationary crowd discussing an endless
number of subjects such as evolution, atheism, political questions, philosophy, morals,
science, current events, etc., etc.
FALSE RELIGIONS present a different
audience with different challenges. Standing outside a convention center full of
JEHOVAHS WITNESSES, MORMONS, NEW AGERS, BUDDHISTS or MUSLIMS obviously requires some
research into their doctrines, and again involves addressing a crowd that is moving with
the occasionally interested individual sometimes stopping to dialogue.
Another category with its own
special set of considerations are OVERTLY EVIL EVENTS such as SODOMITE PARADES. Who are
they? Why do they do what they do? What are their arguments? What is their political
agenda? How should you respond ? Is the crowd potentially violent? These are all questions
which must be addressed prior to advancing on these responsibilities. Many times
close co-operation with local authorities is necessary. This is generally available to a
reasoned approach within the context of our free speech laws. Special event people within
the police department should be approached in a timely manner with details of your plans.
Additionally "follow up" with said authorities is in order with thanks given for
the help provided!
PICKETING A PORNO SHOP or ABORTION
CLINIC is yet another area of discussion. This involves an understanding of local laws,
private property vs. public property, dealing with the police, legal size of signs,
requirement to keep moving, etc. Porno shop operators and their customers are a different
"class" of people than you would run into elsewhere with different responses to
preaching. Each of these situations needs to be evaluated and analyzed by the street
preacher as he prepares his message and method.
Something to keep in mind as these
situations are approached is the job GOD requires us to do. BIBLICALLY, within the context
of the OLD TESTAMENT, change was demanded and even forced by the people of GOD in
direct mandate by GOD to the nation of Israel. The mission of the NEW TESTAMENT is
rather different in that judgment, in most instances, is reserved for the last day....no
longer are we physically required to mandate immediate change. Our job rather is to
preach the KINGDOM OF GOD, His Gospel, and judgment to come. Our work does
not involve the establishment of a "Christian Nation" or demand that we
should bring the kingdom of GOD to pass in our time. Our work is primarily to focus on the
accurate delivery of information to the world. Any change which accrues by virtue
of this proclamation is welcomed but is not the focus. Rather, our faithfulness is to the
NEW COVENANT with its fulfillment at His coming. With this in mind, success is
foreordained in that His Word will not return void but will accomplish that which HE
purposes! (Isaiah 55:11) Preaching the Gospel, kingdom of GOD, and warning the wicked
fulfills the NEW TESTAMENT mandate, whatever the response (Ezekiel 2:5), This
position is not meant to eliminate the proper functioning within a government. We still
believe in taking advantage of all of the freedoms, opportunities and indeed
responsibilities which are before us. Once again our focus is driven by BIBLICAL MANDATE
as found primarily in the life of CHRIST and in the NEW TESTIMENT.
IT IS WORTHY OF NOTE THAT THE MOST
COMMON USE OF STREET PREACHING IN THE BIBLE WAS NOT TO DRUNKS AND PROSTITUTES OR SEXUAL
DEVIATES BUT PROPHETS OF GOD STANDING OUTSIDE THE TEMPLE PREACHING TO THE
"BELIEVERS". In this context one of our sure responsibilities is, as His Spirit
directs, TO EXHORT THE BRETHREN, even rebuking them in their lukewarmness or
wayward doctrine(s). Once again, the message and audience in this situation is completely
different from any other and must be viewed with the wisdom and zeal of HIS leading and
SPIRIT.
In some of these described
situations the STREET PREACHER will be standing in one place preaching to a stationary
crowd. In others he will be preaching to large crowds as they walk by. In others he
himself may be moving and carrying a sign. Some situations invite dialogue with a crowd,
some invite one-on-one response and some involve no dialogue. Some require a more general
message of salvation while others a specific message on a specific issue. Some crowds and
situations require a more loving message, others demand a message of stern rebuke and
warning on HELLFIRE, GODS WRATH AND JUDGMENT TO COME. "And of some have
compassion, making a difference: and others SAVE WITH FEAR, pulling them out of the fire;
hating even the garment spotted by the flesh." Jude 22,23 ( See also Ezekiel 3:15-21;
Colossians 1:28; Ephesians 5:11; Proverbs 28:4 )
All of this leads us to another
important topic that is critical to understand if one is to accurately represent the
FATHER:
A PROPER UNDERSTANDING
OF GODS ATTITUDE
It is very popular today to preach a
"POSITIVE" message that GOD loves everyone no matter what they do,
and to be as INOFFENSIVE as possible.. It is important to understand what the BIBLE says
about THE CHARACTER OF GOD and to ACCURATELY REFLECT THAT IN YOUR PREACHING. JESUS
CHRIST felt no shame in preaching that MOST of humanity on JUDGMENT DAY would be bound
hand and foot and thrown into a lake of fire (Matthew 7:13-14; 13:40-43,49-50).
Many on that day will no doubt be screaming, "Why didnt someone tell me about
HELL? All I ever heard was that GOD loved me! I didnt know it would be like
this!" Much of todays approach is lulling sinners to sleep rather than
stirring them to REPENTANCE. As Jude said, "some come by LOVE, some come by FEAR
"(Jude 22, 23, KJV).
While the BIBLE says great things
about GODS LOVE, and we do not mean to minimize that, it is still true that
NO PREACHER IN THE BIBLE INCLUDING JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF EVER STOOD IN FRONT OF A
CROWD OF SINNERS AND TOLD THEM, "GOD LOVES YOU." Also "LOVE" is not
mentioned once in the book of ACTS which is the first example of how the
Apostles evangelized the world. In contrast "THE FEAR" of GOD is mentioned 10
times!
WITH THE SUBJECT OF GODS
ATTITUDE IN MIND, HERE ARE A FEW VERSES GIVING EXAMPLES OF HOW THE PREACHERS IN THE BIBLE
REPRESENTED GOD AND HIS WORD TO THE LOST OF THEIR DAY:
"...because thou wouldest not
obey the voice of the Lord thy God...the Lord will rejoice over you to destroy
you." (Deuteronomy 28:62-63)
"The foolish shall not stand in
thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity. Thou shalt destroy them that speak
leasing; the Lord will abhor the bloody and deceitful man." (Psalm 5:5-6)
"God is angry with the
wicked every day." (Psalm 7:11)
"God is jealous, and the
Lord revengeth; the Lord revengeth, and is furious; the Lord will
take vengeance on his adversaries, and reserveth wrath for his
enemies." (Nahum 1:2)
"O generation of vipers,
who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?" (Matthew 3:7)
"Woe unto thee, Chorazin,
Bethsaida, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell:
for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would
have remained until this day. but...it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in
the day of judgment, than for thee." (Matthew 11:21-24)
"O full of all subtlety and
all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness,
wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?" (Acts 13:10)
"...the Lord Jesus shall be
revealed from heaven, with his mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on
them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ....."
(2 Thessalonians 1:7-8)
(We will discuss these verses and
many more in future chapters, as we develop THE REAL GOD and THE REAL CHRIST OF THE
BIBLE.)
This type of preaching in the BIBLE
is a far cry from todays often watered down , milky and almost effeminate message
that fails to rebuke sinners and call for repentance. Todays churches need to
get back to the BIBLICAL method of PREACHING OUTDOORS, and, IN THE
SPIRIT OF THE PROPHETS AND GOD HIMSELF, take a bold stand against sin wherever it
is found.
With the hearers clearly defined,
the message developed, and GODS SPIRIT accurately found, we can now move to some
practical considerations.
LOGISTICS
There is much to know in the area of
small details on how to preach in a public setting. Speaker systems, where to stand, laws,
security and signs are some of the areas that need to be considered. In the area of
AMPLIFICATION there are times you can use megaphones and times you cannot. Most of the
time, when preaching on a street corner downtown to a crowd that is close your voice
alone will do the job. Usually on a college campus it is very common to get crowds of
up to 300 or more who can all hear quite well without any voice amplification being used.
But megaphones come in handy, for instance, when PREACHING FROM A VEHICLE to crowds on the
sidewalk as you drive by. This is good for reaching people gathered along a parade route
(before the parade or following behind), or a situation where large crowds are out on the
sidewalks and spread over a large area. TRUTHHORNS (no "bull"!!) also serve well
when preaching from a boat to crowds on a beach or along the bank of a river.
As you can see it is necessary to
understand the various possible SETTINGS for outdoor preaching. For example: a stationary
preacher reaching a small moving crowd, such as a street corner, a large crowd going into
or out of a sporting event, rock concert or convention hall and parades, such as annual
SODOMITE EVENTS . We, for, example have gone to these for years, standing on the public
sidewalk along the route preaching as the perverts parade by. This setting is one where
gathering a large crowd does not usually occur nor is it sought. Blocking a sidewalk would
result in problems with the police as you are creating a problem to free passage. In
addition, this particular crowd would pose security problems if allowed to gather around
you. In addition to these settings HOLIDAY EVENTS present unusual formats as well as a
built in message which should be taken advantage of. CHRISTMAS, EASTER, THANKSGIVING, and
even NEW YEARS EVE are all holidays that have their origin in GOD and HIS SON. These
provide an obvious and ready opportunity to PUBLICLY PROCLAIM THEIR SIGNIFICANCE and TRUE
MEANING !!!
A STATIONARY PREACHER REACHING A
STATIONARY CROWD. This is very effective on a COLLEGE CAMPUS, where a preacher can walk on
the campus at noon, go to the free speech platform, and begin preaching while curious
students will gather, sit, listen and often argue/debate/ask questions for many hours.
A MOVING PREACHER REACHING A MOVING
CROWD, such as picketers, which requires the them to keep moving back and forth in front
of the place being picketed. Another place might be a beach, or any area that has a crowd
spread out over a large proximity. Finding an acceptable place will many times result in a
duplication of much of what is found in CHRISTs ministry at the sermon on the mount.
PREACHING FROM A MOVING VEHICLE
comes in handy when reaching large spread out crowds. The night before the ROSE PARADE,
for instance, thousands camp out along the 5 mile route providing a ready audience.
Preaching from a boat to crowds on a beach or around a lake or a river is productive
during special events or in the summer months.
OTHER CREATIVE METHODS have been
used by some who go "undercover" inside gatherings or cult or occult meetings,
and stand up and preach until escorted out by security (these situations almost always
result in no arrests, but simply being asked to leave).
SIGNS have many opportunities and
advantages. Carrying a sign with a BIBLICAL message ("JESUS SAVES" "READ
THE BIBLE" "REPENT") accomplishes several uses: it immediately identifies
the speaker and where he stands, eliminating confusion, and often gets NEWS MEDIA
coverage. Millions can be reached by the message on the sign being shown on TV or in a
newspaper. Often signs used in this way are in situations where police will not allow loud
preaching, but the message still gets out via the sign. An example of this type of
"preaching," you have probably seen is the "JOHN 3:16" signs on TV
sports events: these reach a large TV audience that would not be reached any other way.
LAWS need to be understood as far as
use of AMPLIFICATION, legal size of SIGNS and poles, location of PUBLIC PROPERTY vs.
private property, etc. As a general rule, PUBLIC SIDEWALKS have been deemed acceptable
forums for free speech and SIGNS are legal as long as the poles cannot be used as weapons.
AMERICA OFFERS GREAT UNPRECEDENTED LEGAL OPPORTUNITY FOR THE SPREAD OF THE GOSPEL
IN PUBLIC PLACES YET BELIEVERS, FOR ALL PRACTICAL PURPOSES, HAVE FAILED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE
OF IT.
PERMITS are required to carry a sign
or pass out literature in some places, for example some college campuses. Most colleges
require no permit, some require permits that are easy to get, though some can be
difficult. If you feel your legal rights of free speech are being taken from you it is
best to have witnesses, videos, tape recordings, and good legal counsel to fight for your
rights in court if police or security are overstepping their legal bounds. As a general
rule we have avoided these legal battles choosing to rather go to another area where our
freedom is allowed. There are multitudes of areas and people to preach to and, in
addition, legal fights are costly and time consuming (Matthew 10:23; 5:25).
SECURITY is necessary in some cases.
HOMOSEXUALS, SOME FALSE RELIGIONS, ORTHODOX JEWS and POLITICAL TYPES may get violent with
any who publicly oppose them. In many cases where we fear possible physical confrontations
we leave women and children home. The men who go to the event stay together, having some
men designated as security to stand around the man who is preaching and protect him. In
addition it is good to have someone "undercover" in the crowd to keep an eye and
ear open for possible trouble. As stated before, we also try to work with the police
assuring them that we are not there to cause trouble but only to exercise our right of
free speech cooperating with them as far as best place to stand, who the possible
troublemakers are, and possibly having them nearby to keep an eye on us.
IN CONCLUSION
These then are some of the lessons
we have learned by trial and error over the years of preaching on the streets. This
information is, again, unavailable (as far as we know) in any church, seminary, seminar,
Christian bookstore, magazine article, etc., etc. Our next chapter will detail our
experiences of the last 25 years and round out our treatment of Biblical
preaching.
source: http://www.preachtruth.org/
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