ISEMA Newsletters
Some Tips On Effective Street Preaching
by Larry Rosenbaum, SOS Ministries
Recently, I was asked to put together some guidelines for the Christians involved in street preaching in Berkeley. Street preachers are representatives of Jesus Christ to thousands of unsaved people, but unfortunately we do not always represent Him well. I hope the suggestions below will help us all become more effective street preachers.
- A wise man receives instruction. Often the world of street preachers is one of anarchy, where everyone does what is right in his own eyes and doesn’t listen to anyone else. First of all, I believe that God would have each of us be part of a home church and be accountable to its leadership. Also, we need to have a teachable spirit, so we can learn from others. Ask other Christians to listen to your preaching and make suggestions as to how you could improve. Try to avoid getting defensive when people–Christians or non-Christians–criticize your preaching. Perhaps they have something to say that will help you improve your preaching.
- More of Jesus, less of me. We need to be careful not to allow our carnal nature to affect our preaching. For example, we may have had a hard day at work, but we don’t want to take our frustrations out on the people we preach to. Or someone on the street may have cursed at us, but we don’t want to respond out of carnal anger.
- Spend time in one-on-one ministry. We need personal contact with unbelievers so we can listen to them and learn to relate better with them. We need to become proficient at listening as well as talking.
- Preaching is communication. In order to preach effectively, our message must be heard and understood by the people we are preaching to. We need to speak distinctly and present our message in a manner that the people around us or walking by can understand. If our audience is moving by rapidly, we need to adjust our message so they can benefit from the short segments of our preaching they can hear. We could be giving a wonderful message, but people could be walking by so fast they can’t understand what we’re talking about. Ask a Christian to listen to you and let you know if you can be heard distinctly and you are clearly presenting the gospel.
- Seek to become all things to all men. We are to consider our audience, using language and speaking of topics they can relate to. We can be contemporary and at the same time speak in a dignified manner, as befits the gospel.
- Responding in the opposite spirit. If people are argumentative and proud in their reaction to us, we should respond in a gentle, humble manner. Don’t descend to their level. Try to be kind, polite and respectful to those who interrupt and heckle you. If possible, have a Christian with you to talk with people who ask you questions while you’re preaching.
- When we preach about judgment and Hell, we must do so in an attitude of love towards the people we are speaking to. Avoid any hint of self-righteousness and show people that we grieve over their lost condition as God does and wish only that they would repent and turn to the Lord. We communicate by our tone of voice as well as our words. Many of the prophets wept as they spoke of God’s judgment, showing their love and God’s love for the people even as He was about to bring judgment.
- Stick to the Gospel. Don’t get sidetracked by other issues. Avoid alienating the people you are trying to reach by making controversial statements about peripheral issues. We don’t want people to reject Jesus simply because they disagree with us on views about matters not central to the gospel. The issue of evolution may need to be dealt with if it is a genuine stumblingblock to people coming to Christ, but this needs to be done after careful research into the subject. However, most other controversial issues, especially political ones, are not keeping people from salvation and do not need to be dealt with before the person is saved. Keep illustrations brief and non-controversial, and then bring your message back to the gospel, and the person’s need to make a decision to accept or reject Jesus.
Rock Star Alice Cooper Saved
from World Magazine, 8/27/94
Phoenix, AZ. Vincent Furnier, better known as “shock rock” pioneer Alice Cooper, is now writing and recording songs that point to hope in Christ and show the hopelessness of the decadent life he once embraced. He has taught Sunday School, fellowships with R.C.Sproul and Glen Campbell and wants to just be called Vince.
(Please pray for Vince that he will grow strong spiritually. Those familiar with the Rock scene know the influence he had for evil on millions of youth and we all can thank God for this news.)
Coming Events
December 31-January 1 Rose Parade Outreach, Pasadena, CA. Contact Sondra Berry Young, Box 3044, Newport Beach, CA 92659, (818) 792- 7424.
December 31-January 1 New Year’s Outreach, Atlanta, GA. “Dropping of the Peach” and Peach Bowl Game. Nearly 500,000 on the streets. Contact Rescue Atlanta, Box 965029, Atlanta, GA 30066, (404) 924- 0201..
Saturday January 7-March 4 Downtown Dallas Street Blitz. Contact Rev. David O’Dell, Operation Christlift, 3400 W Park Blvd #2117, Plano, TX 75075, (214) 519-0195.
February 24-March 1 Mardi Gras Outreach, New Orleans. Contact Heart-Fire Ministries, Box 14031, Milwaukee, WI 53214, (414) 445- 9490, Rescue Atlanta, Box 965029, Atlanta, GA 30066, (404) 924- 0201, or Christ in Action, Box 4200, Manassas, VA 22110, (703) 368-8286.
May 27, 1995 March for Jesus. Public praise marches scheduled for hundreds of U.S. cities and every nation on earth. Contact March for Jesus, Box 3216, Austin, TX 78764, (512) 416-0066.
SOS MINISTRIES is looking for two men with a desire to learn about street evangelism and to live in their ministry house. For more information, contact SOS Ministries, Box 27358, Oakland, CA 94602, (510) 531-5325.
ROBERT PETRONE is looking for a worship leader for an outreach team ministering throughout Northern California. Contact him at Box 2684, Oroville, CA 95965, (916) 523-5931.
HANDS FOR CHRIST is offering Christian tracts and bumper stickers on a donation basis. They also need used Christian Bibles, books and tapes to distribute to Third World countries. Contact them at 5720 Williamson Rd NW #111, Roanoke, VA 24012, (703) 362-1214.
JOB OPPORTUNITY: Assistant Ministry Director. Help build on present ministry. Creation of new ministries. Training churches in personal evangelism. Public relations. Ministry operations. Additional job openings in various skill areas for both men and women available. Contact Outreach for Christ, Box 4326, Virginia Beach, VA 23454, (804) 428-8227.
DO YOU WANT TO START A FOOD AND CLOTHING EVANGELISM MINISTRY IN YOUR CITY? We will come to your city or you can come to ours. Victory Ministries has over 10 years experience in ministry to the poor. Contact Victory Ministries, Box 360833, Columbus, OH 43236, (614) 252-2500.
CONSULTING SERVICE FOR CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES AND CHURCHES–FUNDRAISING, PUBLIC RELATIONS, ADMINISTRATION, CRUSADE PLANNING. Contact David Patterson, The Patterson Group, 3380 Green Meadow Dr, Danville, CA 94506, (510) 736-7823.
It’s Time To Renew Your ISEMA Membership!
I want to wish each of you a wonderful Christmas and New Year’s. This is the time of year that people are most receptive to the gospel. I hope you will take advantage of this opportunity by participating in some outreach during this season. Thank you for the outreach reports you have sent us this past month. Thank you also for your prayers and financial support for ISEMA.
Finally, as we enter a new year, we want to encourage you to renew your ISEMA membership for 1995, or to join ISEMA if you haven’t already done so. ISEMA is the only association of street ministries, and your membership fee helps us to continue to serve those who are laboring in the gospel trenches. Our 1995 edition of the International Street Ministries Directory is also avail able. You may order it when renewing your membership.
Our Tape of the Month is “Getting a Passion for Souls” by Mark Estes. Mark works with Christian Equippers International. This is an excellent message to stir up Christians with a burden to reach the lost.
Yours in His love,
Larry Rosenbaum
