Is Street Preaching Still Effective?

“How, then,
can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in
the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone
preaching to them?” (Romans 10:14)

Standing on
the corner across from the theater was a local street preacher.  I didn’t find him very compelling, but out of
curiosity I stopped to listen for a few minutes to observe the response to him from people walking by.   

Needless to
say, I didn’t see many converts.  Which
led me to the question, “Does
street preaching work anymore?”  Christianity has a long
history of street preaching. Considering it was a
key strategy of the apostles I believe gives it some credibility.

Noah may
have started it all, and it certainly worked for Jonah.  George Whitefield (1714-1770) preached in the
open air to coal miners in Bristol, England.  Even William Booth, founder of The Salvation
Army turned to the streets, and founded a global ministry in the process.

But in those
days people were used to engaging with a multitude of opinions out in the open.
 In a world without Facebook and Twitter,
it was common to exchange ideas in the public square (Think Apostle Paul at the
Areopagus in Athens).  From my perspective, street preaching,
although still alive, does not seem to be as effective as in times past.  The vast majority of street preachers mean
well, but I’m not sure they understand how it really works.  

Of special concern
to some people is that street preaching is too offensive.  Since when are Christians to reach the lost
only in “inoffensive” ways?  Paul wrote
that, “…everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be
persecuted…” (2 Timothy 3:12)  

Unless a
Christian never shares his or her faith, opposition is inevitable.  The goal is not to avoid offense at all costs;
the goal is to avoid unnecessary
offense.  The cross of Christ will always
be an affront to unbelievers (1 Corinthians 1:23).  The way we communicate can be adapted to the
audience, but our message must remain the same.  Street preaching is simply one method to
communicate Christ to those who may otherwise not hear the gospel.

And what
about location?  Not every street corner
is a place where people will stop, listen, and

think about what you’re saying.  So what about other places?
Where are the places in your city with cafes, universities, city
plazas, or other locations where people sit, talk, and discuss ideas?

In the
digital age, I’m more inclined to take traditional street preaching to the
Internet and engage with people via social media.  But if classic street preaching is your thing,
then my suggestion is that location, and your ability to engage with strangers
is just as important as your message.  Without an audience that’s interested in engaging at some level,
you’re only confirming to them that Christians are probably just crazy.

Street
preaching is a historic method of evangelism that can be an opportunity to reach
those who might never enter a church.  It
may appear less effective than in the past, it may definitely offend those who
resist the truth, but street preaching continues to be used by God around the
world to lead people to faith in Christ.  Rather than condemn its practice, we should encourage
those who boldly communicate the faith in the public square.  Instead of waiting for the lost to come to us,
we should go to them.

I’d love to
know your opinion on street preaching.  In a digital
age, does it still work?

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