Dos and Don’ts of Street Preaching
“Let everything be done decently and in order” I Cor. 14:40
First of all, as Corinthians says, we must be in order and with a decent message when preaching in the streets. Keeping yourself and your team in order is key to being successful on the streets. We need to remember that the ears we are preaching to do not want to hear some screaming idiot telling them how fast they are going to hell. It is necessary that we take the Gospel to the streets but with love. We do not want to offend and further alienate the lost.
NOT TO DO
A deep, harsh voice that doesn’t sound sincere. Don’t be harsh or upset with what you have to say.
Do not try to scold them by displaying your superior knowledge of the Gospel. The streets are no place for you to vent to the listeners of your message.
Insults may well be a good way to get arrested, they may lead to being taken away by the police instead of people taking the Gospel. Derogatory comments or anything considered ethnic bias can get you into serious trouble. If you are not preaching with love and compassion in the streets, find another place to express it all other than in the streets.
Facial expressions can win or lose an audience as they gather around and see your gestures. Looking stone cold or like you’re ready to pounce on them will immediately turn them off. Try to match his facial appearance with what he is saying. When you talk about the love of God or heaven, try to sound like you know what you’re trying to convey. So they the security of your lesson, keep it fresh in words and looks.
Preach the Gospel, leave your personal convictions to share one by one when asked.
I have heard that any idiot can be arrested for preaching. Know why he is there, getting arrested doesn’t help win the lost. You also shouldn’t go preaching only to get arrested. However, if you are arrested, make sure it is for street preaching. There is a long list of other offenses that can come along with street preaching. The usual offenses against street preaching are:
A) Loitering
B) disorderly conduct
C) inability to maintain locomotion
D) disturb the peace
To avoid some, if not all, of these situations, here are a few more areas to look at:
1) Stay off private property
2) Do not use a public address system, some cities have laws about usage and volume.
3) Avoid preaching at night, although there may be some times that are exceptions. Try at all costs to avoid nightly street preaching.
4) ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS have a helper with you. Never go it alone, no matter what kind of macho you think you are, never go out alone.
Check with the local authorities before leaving, especially if you are from outside and do not know the ordinances of that town. Knowledge will keep you on the streets, out of jail, and safe. When possible, talk to local police and let them know what to do and where. It’s good to let them know how long you’ll be there and what you’re going to say. Ask for the license plate number range and the name of the person you are talking to saying it is okay. Take note of these 3 things and keep them with you. That way, if the police show up, whoever is watching the preacher can give it to the officers and let them know it’s okay for you to be there.
It is inevitable in a street ministry to think that you will never call the police. Remember that the Gospel is an offense to those who are lost.
Limit your time. No need to be there for hours on end. Somewhere along the line, people will get agitated because you’re there for so long. A good rule of thumb is that 25-35 minutes of preaching is more than enough time to get a good message across. It may take a few minutes once you start getting people to listen, but then go ahead and preach the message and do it compassionately. When you have music with you, give yourself about 45-50 minutes. A good song or two to spark interest and then the message.
YOUR MESSAGE
Keep it simple! Preach about salvation! Never street preach about fate and the darkness of things to come. Never preach Hellfire and Damnation. You are there as an ambassador for Jesus Christ to win the lost, not drive them away.
The best street messages are the ones where you know the subject inside and out. Sure, it’s nice to have the Bible with you, but it’s more effective if you don’t have to read it but quote the verses. Memorize your message or know what you want to say. Banknotes are not a productive tool on the streets. I know you have seen and heard preachers in churches always using notes, if not reading them directly, but on the streets that won’t work. People expect you to be the expert, or you wouldn’t be there. If you only know one sermon by heart, preach it every time you go out, just go to different areas with that message.
PRAY
Always be in prayer for your street preaching or public preaching ministry. Pray that God will guide and protect you in all things. Pray for the power of the Holy Spirit to carry his message. Pray for the Blood of Jesus to cleanse the area where you are going to preach. Pray that God will give you the words to say and not be easily distracted. Distractions can not only come but they will. Pray for God to give you the ability to preach to or about distractions with the right words. You must be “instant in season and out”. Don’t let it bother you that you preach the best evangelistic message in history and no one is saved. Remember Paul’s words, “I planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the growth”, I Cor. 3:7.
Compassion and concern for the lost soul will be your greatest weapon when preaching on the streets.
Here are some lessons to start street preaching, if you are going to start this ministry I have a couple others to pass on. Be open to God’s word, listen as He leads. Make it of God not of yourself. “I must decrease and He must increase”, keep in mind that it is not you who must be promoted but the Word of God. Finally make sure that God has called you to this ministry. Make sure it is in God’s will and plan for his life to preach his Holy Word in the Streets. And, may God bless you as you go.
Coming soon
Street Preaching 201, a more comprehensive look at outdoor street preaching. I hope you all read the second as much as the first.