Open-air Preaching Documentry

Open-air preaching, also referred to as street preaching has a bod name in some circles. I understand why this has happened. Like anything else, you have good and bad. There are however good street preachers out there and we shouldn't throw the baby out with the bath water!

Here is a trailer for a new documentry about Biblical Open-air Preaching called "Go Stand Speak!"

Enjoy!

The “Words” of our Testimony

It is not my goal to criticize anyone’s testimony, or to unjustly judge anyone. But the subject of this post is best illustrated using a testimony I heard earlier today, which prompted me to write the post in the first place.

It was a great testimony about God’s Saving Grace and the positive internal changes brought about in a lady’s life as a result of her experience with God and church. She seemed like a wonderful lady. Her testimony was candid, well-thought out, and her delivery was sincere and held your attention. She obviously had given this testimony, and had spoken in front of crowds before.

There was but one problem. Perhaps it is better stated as a “grave concern” rather than a “problem”. It was serious enough that it caused me to sigh out loud…okay; I’ll call it a Problem.

The problem is that the language we use when we give our testimony is more important than most of us realize. Within Christianity, especially in Evangelicalism, there has been a sort of language created that is distinct to the movement and those within.

Specifically, the lady that gave her testimony stated that she was in dire straights and made her way to a church where she met a man who was cleaning. She went on to say how she repeated a prayer after him, asking Jesus into her heart, and got saved.

I have no trouble believing that this woman is a Christian, as she went on to describe in detail her conversion story, and it sounded quite genuine. However, the language she used was troubling.

What does “asking Jesus into your heart” mean? This is a term that I think should be removed completely from every Christian’s vocabulary. There is no biblical basis for the statement and it only translates into the relationship side of Salvation. We should be using biblical language like Jesus used; Repent and Believe, or Repentance and Faith.

From her story, it sounded as if she knew the Gospel from her childhood and perhaps reached the point of repentance prior to arriving and being lead in the prayer. Repentance brings the remission of Sins, followed by baptism with the Holy Spirit. In other words, you cannot be saved without having a genuine change of mind and turning away from sinful lifestyles.

If someone with no background in Christianity at all heard that statement, they would not know what was meant. Furthermore, most people assume that it is a lofty concept due to the loftiness of the words used. It isn’t far from that point that they are able to justify to themselves writing-off the person saying the lofty words as a simple-minded kook!

God is in control, and the Truth is written on the hearts of all men…but that doesn’t mean we can be unclear in our message and proclamation of God’s Holiness, Justice, Grace, Mercy, and Love!

Evangelism

I've been doing quite a bit of reading lately on evangelism. I've always been drawn to evangelism. There are many reasons for that, some of which I may not even be aware of. After-all evangelism is one thing we most likely won't be able to do in Heaven.

Wikipedia defines evangelism as "...the practice of relaying information about a particular set of beliefs to others who do not hold those beliefs. The term is often used in reference to Christianity, where the scriptures often describe "evangelism" as "spreading the Gospel".

Some people equate evangelism with the "winning of souls for Jesus". But that is not correct. We don't and could never convert somebody. That is the work of the Holy Spirit. Rather as evangelist, we are mere conduit or tool used by the Spirit to do the convicting and converting.

I thought of this as I read through a few message boards on the internet, where there were conversations and debates about evangelism methods. Which methods are most effective? Effective at what? If the Spirit does the real work, than evangelists need to be true to the Gospel message and that it the foremost requirement. God will use you if you preach the true Gospel regardless of your showmanship, ability to entertain, etc. It's always nice to be able to draw and maintain a crowd, but since the Spirits work occurs within an individual, who is anyone to be snarky towards a person who knows the true Gospel and wants to share it...to individuals or in a street preaching fashion!

We should preach and evangelize primarily for the Glory of God. We should trust that the Spirit will do it's miraculous works inside the sinners heart. Opening their eyes to the Law, breaking their heart, and bringing about the gift of true Repentance. True Repentant Faith bringing remission of sins through Jesus' atoning work on the cross. This is a true conversion! We get to see God's mercy, grace, and kindness as He brings another of His children into the flock. Saving another Soul!!

If you want to be an evangelists who works his way up to street preaching, I would recommend training like the Way of the Master course. However, if they speak the true Gospel, than speak away, and may the Spirit use your words to save the lost.

After-all, it was D.T. Niles who said, "Evangelism is just one beggar telling another beggar where to find bread."