Open-Air Preaching: A Timely Reminder!

I am working on a piece about open-air preaching, also known as street preaching. There are so many really bad examples out there today. The bad get even more attention now with cell phone camera's and youtube!  Some people just shout condemnation, and vulgar words to get attention, and really make no clear points. They serve to mainly stir up each passer-by and sadly do more harm than good to the cause.

While you wait for that piece, here’s a couple excerpts, I think make a fitting reminder, and a quick glimpse at the “right way” to open-air preach, from Charles H. Spurgeon to a London periodical in 1876.

"I am persuaded that the more of open air preaching there is in London the better, if it should become a nuisance to some it will be a blessing to others, if properly conducted. If it is the gospel, which is spoken, and if the spirit of the preacher be one of love and truth, the results cannot be doubted: the bread cast upon the waters must be found after many days. At the same time it must be the gospel, and be preached in a manner worth the hearing, for mere noise making is: in evil rather than a benefit…

…Shams and shows will have no mercy from a street gathering; but have something to say, look them in the face, say what you mean, put it plainly, boldly, earnestly, courteously, and they will hear you. Never speak against time or for the sake of hearing your own voice, or you will obtain some information about your personal appearance or manner of oratory, which will probably be more true than pleasing…

…The very best speaker must be prepared to take his share of street wit, and to return it if need be; but primness, demureness, formality, sanctimonious long-windedness, and the affectation of superiority actually invite offensive pleasantries, and to a considerable extent deserve them…

…"You'd do more good if you gave us some bread or a drop of beer, instead of those tracts," is constantly remarked, but a manly manner, and the outspoken declaration that you seek no wages but their good, will silence that stale objection…

…It will be very desirable to speak so as to be heard, but there is no use in incessant bawling. The best street preaching is not that which is done at the top of your voice, for it must be impossible to lay the proper emphasis upon telling passages when all along you are shouting with all your might. When there are no hearers near you, and yet people stand over the other side of the road and listen, would it not be as well to cross over and so save a little of the strength which is now wasted? A quiet, penetrating, conversational style would seem to be the most telling. Men do not bawl and holler when they are pleading in deepest earnestness; they have generally at such times less wind and a little more rain; less rant and a few more tears. On, on with one monstrous shout and you will weary everybody and wear yourself out. Be wise now, therefore, O ye who would succeed in declaring your Master's message among the multitude, and use your voices as common sense would dictate…"

Excerpts from Street Preaching by C. H. Spurgeon From the November 1876 Sword and Trowel,Copyright © 2001 by Phillip R. Johnson.