Let us preach everywhere
All over England, in our cities, towns, villages, and hamlets, there are tens of thousands who never will hear the gospel while open-air preaching is neglected. I believe that God allows us to preach in churches and chapels, but I do not believe that we have any apostolical precedent for it, certainly none for confining our ministry to such places. I believe that we are allowed, if it promote order and edification, to set apart buildings for our worship; but there is no warrant for calling these places sanctuaries and houses of God, for all places are alike holy where holy men assemble.
It is altogether a mischievous thing that we should confine our preaching within walls. Our Lord, it is true, preached in the synagogues, but he often spake on the mountain’s side, or from a boat, or in the court of a house, or in the public thoroughfares. To him an audience was the only necessity. He was a fisher of souls of the true sort, and not of the modern order, who sit in their houses and expect the fish to come to them to be caught…. The minister who does his duty, goes out into the highways and hedges; he goes into all the world; he preaches whether men will hear or whether they will forbear, and delights to make hills and woods ring with the message of peace.-Charles Spurgeon
From a sermon entitled “The Model Home Mission And The Model Home Missionary,” delivered April 14, 1870.
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I am interested in Open Air evangelism. Why do you think it is not used more in the US and UK? Do you believe it is the “Jesus Freak” factor? Meaning, do we not see it more because we are worried it will “damage” the Gospel by people thinking we are crazy? I am torn on this issue, as I have such a passion and know that I should be doing more. But more to my deeper question, once the evangelizing is complete, and there are repentant sinners who have professed Jesus as Lord, is the evangelist’s work done? I know discipleship should follow, but is it the evangelist who does that? I know ultimately the holy Spirit does it all, but how should an evangelist proceed after conversions are seen and made. You insight is greatly coveted.
Jeremy
Hi Jeremy,
So glad you visited the site. I’ll do my best to answer your questions:
1. Open air evangelism: I really think that many people today in the church feel that open air preaching is a waste of time and frankly turns people away from Christ. This level of thinking though is faulty since it looks away from the power of the Gospel and an assumption on human limitations. We either believe that the gospel is the power of God or it isn’t. Sadly, one of the biggest reasons people don’t evangelize is because I really believe that many in the church today simply do not know the gospel. I’ve heard people say that since Jehovah’s Witnesses go door to door and evangelize we should not since people will not respond to us. They are half right – people don’t respond to us – they respond to the Holy Spirit’s work through the proclamation of the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ. I’m all for open air preaching only when what is preached is the full gospel of Jesus Christ.
2. As for the discipleship I would recommend that as an open air evangelist that you try always to make sure that when you share the gospel with someone that you point them to a good church. A lot of folks will carry a card or handout with good local churches in the area they will be evangelizing in. Especially when someone makes a profession of faith you’ll want to point the person to a good church. So it’s good to research the area that you will be in and find out some good churches. I think one of the biggest things you can do is help someone who has come to Christ to find a good church (since there are a good many not so good). I would also recommend giving them a card with your name, telephone or email – a leave behind where they have a point of contact to ask questions or get help in finding a church, etc.
May the Lord bless you as you seek to make much of Him through His glorious gospel!
Soli Deo Gloria
- Jay