Today: Outward.
The finest evangelistic program that I have served within is Street Pastors.
Unlike Souperism, which was used to proselytize starving Roman Catholics in the potato famine, Street Pastors simply offer a late night service of free beverages and listening ear. Simple.
‘Outreach Beyond Outcome’ was the motto – and it worked brilliantly. One’s and two’s coming right through from street to repentance, the image of the Church being changed, the great commission being fulfilled, and folks being loved in their late hour of need.
Spiritual, Social, Emotional and Physical action. In short, the Gospel incarnate.
For me, this type of mission idicates a generation that responds to love, grace and interaction. It indicates a generation who want to engage rather than be instructed, who will believe those who actually practice what they preach and feel loved no matter who or what they are.
Street Pastors is a key indicator that the church can point to proving that they must re-think ‘mission’ whilst re-branding Jesus that it has so badly propagated.
N
~ Is the Street Pastor approach too gentle, or is it a step in the right direction? ~
{ 2 comments }
As I have served my time with Street pastors I think I can at least give some opinion on your question, Norman. I think some people would (and do) find the SP approach too gentle. They probably want to be more "straight to the point and let's forget this coffee/soup stuff"." I personally think it all depends on why you're out there. First and foremost I'm out there to communicate to people that there is a God who loves them and their city and I can do this practically by handing them a free coffee, no strings attached. Yes, the fact is I hope that leads to a worthwhile conversation about life. But I don't "force" it and that approach is probably too gentle for some. But I think SP's is a "step in the right direction" of somehow negating the negative public persona of christianity in this part of the world.
Chris, thanks for the reply.
You know my stance, I'm with you on this one very much.
However, If I were really honest, there is still a part of me that felt an urgency out there to tell people about the 'lost eternity' – no matter what the consequences.
BUT, that direct approach DID NOT work for me, and I'd say it probably wouldn't work for over half of the regulars at the SP table. And besides that, SP would get barred from the streets and lose any chance of getting the message of the Gospel over – ever.
See you tonight big cheese.
N
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