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The effectiveness of street evangelism & street preaching

Discussion in 'Evangelism, Missions & Witnessing' started by evangelist6589, Jun 11, 2011.

  1. Havensdad

    Havensdad New Member

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    LOL... Yep (Bass Pro Shop few minutes from my house), and Perry's alright.
     
  2. StefanM

    StefanM Well-Known Member
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    I'm not saying that he never spoke in a culturally unacceptable place; I'm simply saying that in the examples I stated, it was culturally acceptable to speak there. His general approach was to speak in synagogues and gathering places, but that doesn't exclude other instances.


    This is not true. Greek history and culture has a place for the agora beyond mere economic transactions.

    I will concede that this may have been the case for a number of times. It is also possible for discipleship meetings within the homes: "He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately." Acts 18:26 (NIV)

    I'm not sure what your point is here, but I have never done those things.

    Having people to sign petitions and peddling wares in a public environment can be bothersome for many people.

    My point, however, is that you don't typically have public speeches in those environments. Lengthy discourses are not the same as pithy marketing ploys.

    In the Greco-Roman world, having a speech in such an environment was more common.
    Of course they do. It's the message that offends them, but public speeches on the street are still awkward in contemporary society.

    I don't necessarily disagree with this interpretation. Perhaps we were not as far apart as I thought.

    Quit stating that I am making excuses. I am simply trying to make an historical distinction between the culture of the Greek agora and the American street.

    Regarding the abrasive attitude, Jesus and Paul were directing that toward Pharisees and enemies of the gospel. You are directing it toward brothers in the faith. There is a major difference there.
     
  3. dcorbett

    dcorbett Active Member
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    I am IFB, and I encouraged my son to go to the WOTM Ambassadors Academy two years ago. The only thing I don't like is not knowing if the people you lead to the Lord follow through and get "fed".
     
  4. nodak

    nodak Active Member
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    Havensdad and I usually lock horns about everything, so don't pass out, but this time I agree with him completely.

    How in the world did we get more concerned with winning popularity contests than with being obedient?

    Today's pastors often say evangelism isn't their job. And then they don't teach the people how to do it or encourage them to do it because it might offend a lost person.

    So how are people supposed to hear the gospel and get saved if NO ONE TELLS THEM?
     
  5. Jim1999

    Jim1999 <img src =/Jim1999.jpg>

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    I've picked up a lot tracts thrown on the pavement just down where a chap is street-preaching and passing out tracts.

    In Bible college about 6 students would go downtown Toronto, street preach and pass out tracts. We were also prepared to counsel and follow up people who were interested.

    It is not the same to-day. People just don't respond the same, anymore than they do to door-to-door visitation.

    Cheers,

    Jim
     
  6. Havensdad

    Havensdad New Member

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    This might be true of older folks, but young people are extremely responsive to door to door and street preaching. I have literally seen hundreds of people sit down in their car, and read through a tract I just gave them...who cares if some throw it on the ground? 1 saved man is worth 10,000 tracts that end up in the garbage.
     
  7. nodak

    nodak Active Member
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    You can also boost your door to door visiting by taking up front porch sitting and walking around your neighborhood.

    Folks at least recognize that you are a neighbor, potential friend, or at least not some fly by night stranger passing through town.

    Visiting Mr. Smith when he already knows you as the friendly guy that gives him tomatoes is a good foot in the door.

    Visiting Mrs. Smith when she already knows you as the nice gal that didn't yell at her kids when the ball came over her fence, just laughed, yelled "Annie Over" and tossed it back is also a good foot in the door.

    And it is good practice for cold calling.
     
  8. Jedi Knight

    Jedi Knight Well-Known Member
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    I use game servers that run combat games to witness for Him. It's like street preaching and I get the mixed bag of people from all around the world. And believe you me I have to always be ready to give an answer for the hope that is in me.:jesus:
     
  9. michael-acts17:11

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    What "methods" & "tactics" did Christ use? Let's see: signs, wonders, healings, dead raised, blind saw, deaf spoke, fed thousands with very little, etc, etc, etc. Perhaps it is okay to follow Christ's example by digging wells, feeding the poor, building houses, other such personal, love-showing efforts instead of just shouting a "turn or burn" sermon.

    BTW, to preach simply means to declare or to proclaim; whether it be to one, ten, or one thousand. It doesn't mean to sermonize.
     
  10. Havensdad

    Havensdad New Member

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    Show me where Jesus, or anyone in the New Testament, expended large amounts of resources to meet the physical needs of the lost. The only thing we ever see, is believers helping other believers.

    Jesus spent the greatest amount of His time open air preaching. When he did heal, show signs, etc., what did He do IMMEDIATELY following? He stood up and preached.

    "Preach" means to proclaim, and is distinct from other words such as "talk" and "discuss." It is a word used of town criers...by it is meant that one stands up amidst the lost, and "proclaims" the gospel, with words.

    What did Paul say of "methods," where we eschew proclamation in favor of other things?

    2Co 4:2 But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God's word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God.

    Paul speaks repeatedly of our job bringing mocking and scorn. Does your method bring repeated mocking, scorn, and persecution, as was endured by every person in the Bible? Do people call you insane, as they did Paul? If not, what are you doing wrong? The Bible says that the cross is foolishness to those who perish...do the lost think you are an idiot, or do they say, "I don't like his Jesus, but I sure do like him. He sure does a lot of nice stuff." Do they mock your Lord, while they give you glory?

    Something is wrong with that picture. I will stick to Biblical methods.
     
  11. michael-acts17:11

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    Jesus first showed His love in physical, tangible ways before preaching the gospel. You have been given Biblical examples & have rejected them all for your own beliefs. It sounds like you may have a martyr complex; looking for outright rejection from those you preach at.
     
  12. Havensdad

    Havensdad New Member

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    You haven't cited a single example. You've shown some scriptures where Jesus performs miracles to prove He is the Christ; you have not shown a single example from scripture (cause there isn't one), where Jesus or the apostles did nice things for people in order to gain an audience.

    YOU, however, have been given clear scriptural commands; that we are to reject methods and plans for the "open proclamation of the truth." That we are to "preach the gospel, in season, and out of season."

    Sounds like you have a popularity complex. You are too concerned about being liked, to tell people about Christ. So you heap glory to yourself by doing nice things...they hate Jesus, but they sure love you!

    Quit being ashamed. Stand up and proclaim Christ.
     
  13. michael-acts17:11

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    You are speaking of me out of arrogant ignorance. The Jews sought after signs, & Christ gave them more than they wanted. We do not door-to-door "visit" or perform street preaching at our church, but we see baptisms nearly every Sunday; with more than 2,000 now attending. Is your church experiencing this type of blessing from the One who adds to the church? Acts 2:47 If not, then perhaps you should rethink your martyr mindset.

    The apostle Paul spoke to his audiences in the context of their own culture. Are you doing thus or forcing your own thinking on others? How did Einstein define insanity? Oh yeah, doing the same thing the same way over & over again, all the while expecting different results than what you have been experiencing.

    We could place JW's, C of C's, Baptists, Mormons, & Muslims on different street corners to preach to passers-by & the reaction to them would all be the same. Different messages, same method & the same rejection. If your ideology were correct, only the Baptist would be rejected. Try thinking outside the religious box you have locked yourself into.


    John 6:2 And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased.

    John 12:37 But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:

    Acts 8:5-6 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.

    Acts 19:11-12 And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.
     
  14. Havensdad

    Havensdad New Member

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    No, you are. I am simply following scripture.

    Right, miraculous signs. He did not work in a soup kitchen.

    How sad, that your church ignores biblical commands.

    Why? That is a ridiculous statement. The Lord moves where HE wills, not where we institute silly, man made techniques. So what if you have a good goat training program; I am unimpressed.

    In four months, I went door to door in one of the most violent neighborhoods in the country. I took a Wednesday night program from 4 people, to 50. I say "I", because I did it alone...however, it was really God doing it.

    Its funny that when God wasn't moving in an area, Paul moved somewhere else, but in modern times, we use silly, underhanded methods to get "decisions."

    Decisions, nor Baptisms, save anyone. Faith in Christ does. And God saves, primarily, through the "foolishness of preaching."

    Thanks for demonstrating my point. You point to worldly examples, because you cannot find a scriptural one. Paul was assailed, time after time. He was arrested for preaching. He did not change his methods, even when the law forbid him from preaching. He continued to do so.

    Paul's methods were called "foolish" to those of the world. Yet your methods aren't...why, they are pulled straight from modern salesmanship curricula!

    God moves where and when He wishes. We have NO RIGHT to change his methods.

    Not so. Mormons have experienced EXPLOSIVE growth through cold contact evangelism. Also, the pizza guy on the corner, and the Hot Dog vendor, also get GREAT results.

    The difference is the message. You are worldly, and so you think the power is in you and your methods. God's Word, through His Holy Spirit, moves where and when He wants. All the other "decisions" that are won through worldly methods, are goats in sheeps clothing.

    There is a reason why Barna has said that less than 10 percent of those making professions of faith, continue on in Christianity...you've "tricked" the system...but God will not be circumvented.

    Miracles. Jesus did not go and hang out with them for two weeks before telling them the gospel. In fact, in most cases he used such miracles for little more than "crowd" gathering, so He could preach.

    Right. Miracles. Not good deeds; not "relational" evangelism. Immediate evangelism, after gathering a crowd. We do this same thing. But it was preaching, nonetheless.
     
    #34 Havensdad, Jun 27, 2011
    Last edited by a moderator: Jun 27, 2011
  15. Havensdad

    Havensdad New Member

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    BTW, I just noticed this is a fellowship forum. If you want to keep arguing, we might want to move it to a debate forum.
     
  16. michael-acts17:11

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    I will respond to just one point in this mindless rant & then I will be done with this thread.

    "Why? That is a ridiculous statement. The Lord moves where HE wills, not where we institute silly, man made techniques. So what if you have a good goat training program; I am unimpressed.

    In four months, I went door to door in one of the most violent neighborhoods in the country. I took a Wednesday night program from 4 people, to 50. I say "I", because I did it alone...however, it was really God doing it.

    Its funny that when God wasn't moving in an area, Paul moved somewhere else, but in modern times, we use silly, underhanded methods to get "decisions."

    Decisions, nor Baptisms, save anyone. Faith in Christ does. And God saves, primarily, through the "foolishness of preaching."

    What a vile, ignorant position to take. Baptism is the Biblically mandated first step for a new believer. It is the height of immaturity & offensiveness for you to label other churches that do not follow your mantra as "goat trainers" or using "underhanded methods" to get decisions. In this case, your fight is with God for blessing us with new souls on a regular basis. The "silly, underhanded" method we use is personal relationships. This Biblical method results in a much greater percentage of believers who stay in church. Your methods yield an incredible rate of turnover. I call them revolving door churches. They claim hundreds or even thousands of salvations every year, but they leave as quickly as they came. The parable of the sower explains why this happens.

    When I was a young & foolish teenager, our church conducted door-to-door & street preaching at least two times per week, but was never blessed with new souls. What I witnessed was a great number of false professions & repeat after me prayers which were only meant to get us to go away. I have witnessed the failure of your methods & the true success of ours within our culture. The 70's & 80's have jaded our culture to those methods & people are looking for someone who is willing to invest more than a few minutes yelling at them as a stranger.

    You sound like a fresh seminary graduate who hasn't yet grown beyond the denominational curdled milk you've been fed. The old saying that "people don't care what you say until they know that you care" is very true. Shouting at strangers may give you a good feeling of "suffering for God", but it will not yield the blessings of souls that forming personal relationships & investing time & hard work will yield. I consider you to be the lazy one. Anyone can spend short periods of time preaching at people, it takes personal commitment & love to befriend them & meet their personal needs.


    Matt 11:19 The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.
     
  17. Havensdad

    Havensdad New Member

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    What a vile, ignorant position to take. Baptism is a secondary step, not salvific in the least. My "method" in fact, has a 100 percent retention rate! Moreover, not only have those who come to Christ through street preaching and confrontational evangelism been "solidly saved," in my experience, they are also instant disciples. You don't have to chase them around and get them to do what they are supposed to be doing...because they have been authentically regenerated.

    "Relational," or as I call it, "indefinitely delayed" evangelism, is completely unsupported by scripture. There is not ONE SINGLE EXAMPLE. God may be blessing you...I don't know. But if so, its IN SPITE of your methods, not because of them.


    Again, you are speaking foolishly. God regenerates men. Man made methods do not save souls.

    And I consider you to be a coward, who shirks the shame of Christ, for personal glory. ANYONE can hang out with people and drink coffee. It takes REAL love, and REAL courage to use God's methods, even though those who are perishing may detest you for it.

    EVERY accusation that you have made here, was also made against Paul and his methods. You befriend people and meet their physical needs, and usher them straight into hell. I will preach the Gospel, and pray that God saves souls.


    Yeah, He hung out and PREACHED to them...

    Luk 3:18 So with many other exhortations he preached good news to the people.
     
  18. Jedi Knight

    Jedi Knight Well-Known Member
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    I like what John MacArthur said once that preaching the WORD is the supreme means of grace.:thumbsup:
     
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