The "Street-Preaching Movement"

This morning I listened to an open air preacher condemning what he termed as the “street preaching movement”. At first I thought the focus would be on content, but he rightly determines that street preaching apart from it being a ministry of a local church is unbiblical and the preacher himself a heretic in that he does not abide in the doctrine of Christ.

Here are some of his insights:

The ministry of Christ was never given to an individual, but to the church. The Great Commission is given to the church and evangelists are gifted to churches. The authority for an evangelist is the local church. The Great Commission includes baptizing, which is done through the authority given the local church. The evangelist falls under an overseer, which implies working under the authority of a local church.

The ministers conclusion is that open air (street) preaching is a valid ministry of the church (not of individual people).

(The minister is PJ Alexander, and I do not advocate his position on many things. But on this issue he has both experience and some very good points).

 

Yep....just like the Ark.

 

What I had not thought of before was that the Great Commission was not given to individuals but to the church (to individual churches) as it entails not only sharing the gospel, but baptism and discipleship. We cannot separate one component from the rest and have Jesus' commission. This is what he meant by "street preachers" who depart from the teachings of Christ.

The evangelism is a part of the ministry of the church, not a ministry in and of itself, or it is a false ministry.

 

Amazing, isn't it.

The pastor I was speaking of is also an outdoor preacher, and it sounded as if he had a voice for it. I'd have to have a mic.