Street Preaching
- Christian Philosophy & Ethics
- 24 Replies
Now that I'm no longer in a city I never really run into them. It has been literally years since I saw a street preacher.
But, I did see a few. Ones that were effective and ones that were not.
One going back many years to my university days still sticks with me.
He was a somewhat chubby man, mid to late 40's. Preaching / Yelling with zeal in the middle of the campus square during the school flea market.
The crowd was honestly respectful, most passed by, a few were listening but none were heckling.
In an effort to reach the young men in the crowd, he began preaching / yelling about how God would give you not just spiritual strength but physical strength. He went on to claim that through God he could do more push-ups than anyone in attendance. Going as far as to call the young men listening spiritual and physical weaklings.
A young college athlete stepped forward to take him up on his offer. The street preacher tried to back down, tried to deflect, etc. But, the young man would have none of it. He, called the preacher a coward and asked him to prove what he just claimed or go home because he was just full of hot air.
The portly, middle aged preacher said a prayer then and he and the young athlete had a push-up contest.
The street preacher lost. Not just lost by a little. He lost badly. The young man was still doing pushups like a machine when the preacher gave up in a red faced, huffing and puffing heap.
The crowd laughed and left, the preacher gathered up his stuff and left.
Obviously lessons were learned that day. Likely not the ones the preacher intended, but perhaps one he needed.
If you street preach, be sure you are called, be sure you are prepared, be sure you do not stray from the Word into self...
But, I did see a few. Ones that were effective and ones that were not.
One going back many years to my university days still sticks with me.
He was a somewhat chubby man, mid to late 40's. Preaching / Yelling with zeal in the middle of the campus square during the school flea market.
The crowd was honestly respectful, most passed by, a few were listening but none were heckling.
In an effort to reach the young men in the crowd, he began preaching / yelling about how God would give you not just spiritual strength but physical strength. He went on to claim that through God he could do more push-ups than anyone in attendance. Going as far as to call the young men listening spiritual and physical weaklings.
A young college athlete stepped forward to take him up on his offer. The street preacher tried to back down, tried to deflect, etc. But, the young man would have none of it. He, called the preacher a coward and asked him to prove what he just claimed or go home because he was just full of hot air.
The portly, middle aged preacher said a prayer then and he and the young athlete had a push-up contest.
The street preacher lost. Not just lost by a little. He lost badly. The young man was still doing pushups like a machine when the preacher gave up in a red faced, huffing and puffing heap.
The crowd laughed and left, the preacher gathered up his stuff and left.
Obviously lessons were learned that day. Likely not the ones the preacher intended, but perhaps one he needed.
If you street preach, be sure you are called, be sure you are prepared, be sure you do not stray from the Word into self...
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