Fools for Christ
I met a guy when I was in my early 20’s who was one of the most evangelistic Christians I’ve ever known. He would talk to anyone, anywhere about following Christ. He loved going to college campuses and other public places and sharing the gospel with anyone who would stop and talk. I don’t know where he is now, or what he’s doing, but I do know that sometimes I wish I was more like him.
There are a lot of other people who take public preaching seriously. These are the words of Ron and Karen Rohman:
“We simply argue that the cross be raised again, at the center of the market place as well as on the church building… We are recovering the claim that Jesus was not crucified in a cathedral between two candles, but on a cross between two thieves, on the town garbage heap, on crossroads so cosmopolitan that they had to write His title in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek—at the kind of place where cynics talk smut, thieves curse, and soldiers gamble, because that is where He died, and that is what He died about, and that is what followers of Jesus should be about.”
Ron and Karen Rohman are friends of Randy Alcorn. In this post, the Rohman’s relay another very encouraging story from their years of experience sharing the gospel out in the streets.
I often wonder why I’m not more like my friend. Is it because I’m reluctant to be laughed at and rejected for sharing Christ with people Am I willing to be labeled weird, as Loretta asks in this post? Or, to use more biblical language, am I willing to be a fool for Christ? Am I willing to be ridiculed (and maybe hated) for loving my friends and family and even total strangers enough to try to share the gospel with them?
For the past few years, our church has taken a month in the summer and gone to some of the parks in town on Sunday evenings, offering those in the neighborhood a picnic supper and a chance to hear the gospel. Over time we hope to build relationships with folks in those neighborhoods and lead some of them to Christ. Below is a short video clip of our very first “church in the park” a few years ago, just to give you a sense of what we’re trying to do. (Sorry about the poor quality of the recording).
Have you ever been involved in any type of open air preaching or street witnessing? I’d like to hear from you. Stories of successes and failures are both welcome!
who am i? 
Hi Barry,
Cut my teeth on the streets of New york City street preaching. Been protected by an angel from a gang and saw some mighty moves of God
Here in the St Louis area, we go to the streets quite alot and preach. We have alot of encounters, pass out alot of tracts and give the young preacher boys a chance at it also.
Blessings
bob
That’s very encouraging to me, Bob. I suppose we’re making some small strides, but personally I feel like I need to do more.
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It’s too bad that Rob Bell’s Nouma films laugh at this sort of thing. Perhaps our younger Christians need to see these people instead of Rob Bell’s “version.”
I may be a lone voice here, but I have never been attracted to or by unsolicited, public witnessing. Oddly, as my background is in sales, my personality is well suited for such activity but I still internally resist it for a number of reasons. Now don’t get me wrong, if the opportunity comes up in conversation with a total stranger one should take advantage of the moment, but to stand on a street corner and hand out tracts and ask people about what will happen to them if they die simply doesn’t make sense to me. I think many times the activity acts as a barometer for the one witnessing and makes “them” feel better because they are going outside of their comfort zone for the sake of Christ. However, the true effectiveness towards the ultimate goal is at least debatable and more likely an obstacle for many due to the image issues.
First of all do any of us really think that a 5-15 minute conversation and an impulsive prayer of salvation in a public place really translates to a transformed life? I’m not attempting to limit the power of the Holy Spirit, and yes, I’m sure you can recall someone’s testimony that contradicts my statement, but as a practice-policy-method…is that an effective tool for leading someone to Christ? Typically the result is providing someone with a false sense of eternal security rather than a life changing encounter.
Secondly, those that we would want to reach by public witnessing are bewildered by the sight of a bold street preacher. Much like the principal of speaking in tongues in the presence of unbelievers, standing on a box in the middle of times square with no regard to image or insult is perhaps equally as foreign as an unspoken language to them. Furthermore, and I know this to be true at times, unbelievers think that if they convert they will be “sent out” to preach in this same manner. What are people’s greatest fears? Snakes and public speaking..look it up, it’s true.
Third (Lord help me say this the right way) : As in Barry’s case, a seasoned, intelligent, lifelong Christian and student of the Bible who is better equipped to handle the message of the gospel than most is also reluctant to street preach. My experience is that those who are willing tend (only tend) to be those who have great passion but a loose grip on the message. I’m pausing to see if lighting is forth coming……. (Ok I’m still here so we might assume my offense is more horizontal than vertical.) This could be because newbie Christians have all the zeal because the taste of honey is still fresh on their taste buds and older Christians are too busy trying to get the taste of musty old books out of their mouth. What ever the case may be the cause is furthered by those who are mature and capable of handling the meat of the word being on the front lines and in my experience that is usually not the case.
Truly, I love the example most portrayed by Christ when it comes to sharing the Kingdom of Heaven. In most cases He saw to their physical needs and then He turned to their spiritual and when He did He usually met a captive audience in which He had a great deal a credibility & effectiveness. Barry, I love the idea of cook outs in the park, a food pantry, community health centers and you know my passion for the homeless. I just can’t get excited about approaching strangers on the street, maybe you shouldn’t beat yourself too much.
Quick story, when I was working at the Nashville Rescue Mission one of my jobs was to go out on cold nights and search the underpasses and other common places where homeless gathered and encourage them to come and sleep in a warm bed. Of those who took advantage of the offer there was a common attitude amongst them. They were concerned about what we wanted in exchange for the kindness. An act of kindness motivated by a love ignited by Jesus was a concept that they simply could not get their arms around. It was profoundly impacting and moved many to tears when they learned that they didn’t have to stay and work and that they could leave anytime they wanted. When it really “sunk in” (usually in the next day or two) that we had no selfish motives and that we acted out of pure love they wanted to know more. This was the time for the 5-15 min conversation and the brief prayer of salvation.
Those are very thorough and helpful comments, John. I would say that your concerns are all valid. Certainly public preaching can be (and has been) done poorly. But I think it’s safe to say that so has everything else in church life. That doesn’t necessarily mean we should stop doing everything we’re doing; we just need to carefully and prayerfully evaluate our practices, and try to do whatever we do well. So a more pressing question for me is this: is public preaching biblical? I’ll come back to that.
Although public preaching has been done poorly at times, it’s also been done well. You’ve probably familiar with the ministry of George Whitefield. It was his regular practice to stand and preach anywhere there were a few people gathered, either in the public square or an open field or anywhere else he could gain the hearing of a crowd. Whitefield publicly proclaimed Christ to multitudes of strangers, and thousands were converted under his ministry.
Jews for Jesus is a modern day organization that frequently witnesses to anyone who stop and talk with them on the streets of large cities. (You can read a little about their efforts here.) They get laughed at. They get cursed. And they evangelize very effectively. I thank God for that.
But the issue isn’t settled by examples of effective street ministry either. I have to go back to the question I asked earlier, is it biblical? Judging from the book of Acts, I would say yes. I don’t think that it’s the only way or even the routine way to evangelize, but I still think it’s a biblical method of evangelization we can’t afford to neglect.
We seem close on this issue (who da thunk it?)…thank you for taking the time to respond. I think there is little doubt that the Bible stands against street preaching, especially in the life of John the Baptist. My only comment on that is whether it be John the Baptist, George Whitfield (1714-1770), Charles G. Finney (1792-1875) or any common town crier of the day… the site of announcements in a public square was a common, acceptable and valued service provide to communicate news to the masses. It was a thread woven in the fabric of that society. Not anymore so it seems out of sorts. If we (as a ministering & witnessing Church) wanted to do something publicly bold that might peak the curiosity of the lost we should have public foot washings and Baptisms….let them come and ask ” what is this?”. I’ll be the first one with soapy hands.
Error – I think there is little doubt that the Bible stands against street preaching, especially in the life of John the Baptist. What I meant to says “doesn’t stand against”.
Street preaching…now that scares me though I admire those who do it. We did have modest success with having a park day with our childrens ministry just inviting others in the park to join us. I remember going to San Fransico on work once and was suprised to see a large number of street preachers in what could easily be considered the most Godless city in America.
Icame upon your site while researching the views of great reformers on Christmas for my Sunday school class. I was raised in a conservative Baptist church, but fell away as a teenager. After ten wasted years,and beginning to reap the wages of sin, I came back to God.This time, I got into the Bible myself,instead of getting God`s word second hand. Let God be true but every man a liar.Romans 3:4 Over the years ( I`m 57) I have been involved in street witnessing and street preaching. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ for it is the power of GOD unto salvation. Romans 1:16 When passing out gospel tracts, I use Chick tracts, because they are less likely to be thrown on the sidewalk. I recently went with a group of teenagers to downtown Cincinnati to pass out tracts.They loved it! The world loves it when we stay inside the church walls and”keep our religion to ourselves” That is how Satan remains in control of our media our gov. and our culture. Friendship with the world is enmity with God. James 4:4 Don`t rob yourselves of this great experience and blessing! GO! Matthew 28:19
Thanks for then encouragement to be bold, Michael. Most of us need it.
I have been open air preaching now nearly 42 yrs. And I am still learning how we are God,s mouth piece and The Lord Jesus is the preacher . Every time that I hear about others doing open air preaching . I am glad That I had obeyed the Lord,s commission back in 1971. It hasn,t always been easy but it is an Honor. Never stop , never give up, The Lord Jesus always wins. May the Lord always keep you . and may you always hear His voice.
David, thanks for your encouragement. It’s greatly needed and greatly appreciated! I pray that the Lord would bless you and use you as you continue to proclaim the gospel.
Hi Barry,
I’ve just come across your page when searching the web, so don’t know anything about you beyond this page. I’m an evangelical seminary student in the UK and I have a few comments on the above discussion that I would like to share.
Firstly, (echoing John’s comment above), I too have noticed that a lot of the time Christians do street preaching for themselves primarily, and because they feel that it is something they should do, or because it gives them a “kick” of some kind, or it’s a badge of honour. Now don’t get me wrong here, I’m really not being cynical in saying this, nor do I think every street preacher thinks these things consciously, but because street preaching is widely recognised as being a “brave”, commendable and “committed” Christian activity, many guys do it who really shouldn’t. There is often an expectation that if you preach you should be good at and ready to do street preaching also. I’m not sure why this is exactly, because a street preacher should be a gifted evangelist which is not every preacher or pastor’s gift. As a preacher I have come across a fair number of people who expect that I should be ready and skilled to do street preaching myself, but I really am not gifted in this way, so I am happy to leave this to those men that the Lord has blessed with the gift of an evangelist. (I have been involved in street and door-to-door evangelism myself a number of times, though admittedly with some trepidation).
By no means shy away from something that you feel that the Lord has called you to do Barry, but remember, where the Lord guides, he provides. If you find that God has not given the gift to be able to approach people cold and start up a conversation about Jesus, then don’t do it! You shouldn’t feel pressured into feeling that you are less of a Christian or a pastor because of it: that would not be salvation by grace. Be confident in whom you are in Christ, and derive your worth from that, and not from street preaching, however good and noble an activity it is.
Secondly, (also echoing John above), I heartily agree that the bible does not prohibit street preaching of course. However, this does not mean that it is a command for us either. I think it’s wonderful that some gifted guys are great at starting up conversations on the street and getting the gospel message across, but a lot of the time we Christians can con ourselves a bit with regards to the real effectiveness of street evangelism now. One of my fellow students did a project on evangelism recently and spent some time with the director of the leading open air evangelism mission here in the UK. That man admitted to him that over many years they had seen very little real fruit from their ministry, and almost never sees anyone saved. Now, I know that with open air evangelism results can be hard to measure, so I don’t want to denigrate the method altogether or rule out that God will later water a seed that has been planted in a person at a street encounter. (I’m sure there are many examples of this). My point is that even the professionals at this admit that they see few real conversions, which leads me to question whether this is a sensible way to reach people in our culture. Christians doing street evangelism can be a little like an army in a besieged fortress sallying out to try and strike a blow at the enemy, before retreating behind their walls again. (I stress “can be”, not that it always is). Everyone thinks they have achieved more than they really have, but the tally of enemy slain is actually inflated.
When discussing evangelism recently my pastor gave a helpful definition for evangelism: “preaching the gospel to people who are listening”. A lot of street evangelism – in my country at least – is conducted in the “shout the gospel at them as they walk past” style. This is not true evangelism, as the people aren’t listening to what we are saying: we are only really speaking to ourselves then. So, the measure of how successful you are at evangelism should not be how many people you talk to about Jesus, or how many people are saved (as the Lord does this work and not us), but how many people you talk to about Jesus who are listening to you.
I hope some of this at least has been helpful, and I am greatly encouraged by your “church in the park” ideas above.
In Christ,
Joseph.
I am a new open air/street preacher. I’ve done it a few times and I LOVE IT! I could not care less about my “image.” I desire to see God glorified, made known, and souls given a chance to escape hell.