A Controversial Street Ministry with a Bullhorn!!!!

[AlonzoJahue]

Good Evening Friends,

There is a man in my hometown in Illinois. He will select a public place and appear with a bible and a bullhorn. The preaching consists of talk about repentance and going to hell. When I first heard this man I was filled with awe. I admired his courage and determination. I actually felt convicted of not doing enough to witness to people. I managed to get his phone number and we had a conversation on the phone. It was a long drawn out conversation and he did most of the talking. I asked him what church he was affiliated with and he said he didn't have a church. I wanted to him why he didn't have a church. But he kept talking and wouldn't really let me talk. When David told me that he didn't have a church membership my 'red flag' went up. I spent a couple of weeks listening to his preaching and street confrontations. During his preaching time he would make allusions to scripture without quoting the scripture reference. Then I started noticing that he was misapplying scripture during his preaching, name calling, and confrontations with people. The second red flag went up. The straw that broke the camels back is when he went to a strip club. He stood on the street with the bullhorn and yelled at young women(employees) as they were going into the club. He called them extremely derogatory names. Then a guy approached the door of the club and the preacher yelled "Hey Pervert why are you going into a strip club?"

At this point I am no longer envious or fascinated by this man's activity. I can list 4 reasons. 1. Not using scripture while preaching, 2. Misapplying scripture while preaching, 3. No church affiliation, and 4. Name calling and insulting the people he preaches too.

This type of street preaching seems to be growing. There are others out there that seem to thrive on public attention and the thrill of being assaulted or arrested.

My church has a street ministry. We pass out gospel tracts, bibles, and invite people to church. Thank you for listening. Does anyone have any thoughts or opinions?

Thank you,

Lonnie

 

[d taylor]

-

​

These people 99.9% of the time time are preaching a works based salvation

 

[seeking.IAM]

Evangelize all you want. Leave the noise polluting annoyance of a bullhorn at home please. I doubt there is any correlation between numbers of souls saved and decibel levels.

 

[zelosravioli]

Agreeeed. As a new onfire believer I supported these guys, for about three weekends, I then noticed they were seriously judgmental.
I had some of my street preacher 'friends' verbally critizising people going to the clubs and 'restarants'in our downtown area.
I suggested to my 'christian' friends that it seemed like many of these folks seemed to just be husbands taking their wives out for dinner on a Friday night... and just as well those others who were just going out for a drink and dancing - its not a crime.

Since then Ive witnessed so many of these bullhorn-ists: I'm downtown Sacramento on a beautiful sunny afternoon, people are out with their children and families, visiting ice cream shops and antique shops - and there are the bullhorn christians on the busy corner 'blasting' their message, which included the usual criticism of everything - it just makes you think christianity must be either horrible, or it has lost its mind. As i know many people in the crowd 'are' Christians, but having a bullhorn yelling at you while picking out a flower for your mom is nothing but annoying no matter how evangelical you are.

 

[zelosravioli]

I 'try' to find reason in the bullhorn street preaching stuff, but everytime I talk to the 'preachers' they get like a hypnotic glaze, they dont hear, they can only talk over you. I did street witnessing, and even then alot of my 'companion' witnesses didnt take time to listen to the other people, or get their names for instance.

I have learned that: meeting with people, visiting their home, being a friend, hearing them out, thats the way to be an evangelical Christian.
Theres a group nearby that every Friday night, they set up an amplifier, and preach, 5 blocks away, and we can hear it from our house, 'yelling' at 'cars' driving by, on the busy 4 lane road! It always sounds angry.

I find I have plenty of neighbors who enjoy a visit or invitation over for dinner, that to me is what saves people - rather than sounding like crazy angry people on street corners, i dont see them saving more than they turn off. Just imagine if they visited some of the families in the neighborhood instead, or the lonely or needy- instead.

 

[1Tonne]

I have never seen bullhorn preaching but I would not discount it. There would be a time and a place for it, but it would need to be done with wisdom, gentleness and respect.
1 Peter 3:15: "But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect"

 

[AlonzoJahue]

Agreeeed. As a new onfire believer I supported these guys, for about three weekends, I then noticed they were seriously judgmental.
I had some of my street preacher 'friends' verbally critizising people going to the clubs and 'restarants'in our downtown area.
I suggested to my 'christian' friends that it seemed like many of these folks seemed to just be husbands taking their wives out for dinner on a Friday night... and just as well those others who were just going out for a drink and dancing - its not a crime.

Since then Ive witnessed so many of these bullhorn-ists: I'm downtown Sacramento on a beautiful sunny afternoon, people are out with their children and families, visiting ice cream shops and antique shops - and there are the bullhorn christians on the busy corner 'blasting' their message, which included the usual criticism of everything - it just makes you think christianity must be either horrible, or it has lost its mind. As i know many people in the crowd 'are' Christians, but having a bullhorn yelling at you while picking out a flower for your mom is nothing but annoying no matter how evangelical you are.

Thank you for your reply Zelos. You seem to be understanding at the approach that these guys have. The "Unusual criticism" is noticeable. They make Christianity look bad.

 

[AlonzoJahue]

I have never seen bullhorn preaching but I would not discount it. There would be a time and a place for it, but it would need to be done with wisdom, gentleness and respect.
1 Peter 3:15: "But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect"

Thank you for responding 1Tonne. Name calling and misapplication of scripture has no place in evangelism.

 

[AlonzoJahue]

-

​

These people 99.9% of the time time are preaching a works based salvation

Thank you for sharing this d taylor. There might be a correlation between the yelling and screaming and the works based salvation.

 

[AlonzoJahue]

Evangelize all you want. Leave the noise polluting annoyance of a bullhorn at home please. I doubt there is any correlation between numbers of souls saved and decibel levels.

You are right seekingIAM.

 

[Richard T]

Over the decades I have seen such people most often in large cities. Some are heavy on end times, some are confrontational. Some may even have religious spirits that set them off and yes they can pollute the atmosphere and become a true annoyance. This is not to say that someone could not be legit. I would not judge them though. Perhaps the Holy Spirit ministers through some as a sign. It is frightful to hear the end of the world is at hand from a guy in a sandwich board that says repent or whatever. Makes anyone think about where they stand. The best way to minister though is to set an example, and for most a bullhorn will not be it, unless you have a venue like Speaker's corner in London or somewhere like that. The EU city squares are great for public evangelism. In African it is open air tent meetings, in the USA and other places I have seen indoor/outdoor worship events that are city wide. Street witnessing is certainly good as well, but probably not with a bullhorn.

 

[d taylor]

Thank you for sharing this d taylor. There might be a correlation between the yelling and screaming and the works based salvation.

-
​

Well in your original post you stated this person was The preaching consists of talk about repentance and going to hell.

That is a fairly good indicator this person believes that a person must do more than believe in Jesus to be saved.

 

[1Tonne]

-
​

That is a fairly good indicator this person believes that a person must do more than believe in Jesus to be saved.

Yes. They must believe to be saved and it is through faith that God gives us grace. But that does not mean we simply can continue in sin. We must leave our sin.
How we act in life is based on our beliefs. For example, if I told you that there is a land mine in the path, if you choose not to believe me, then you will walk straight into it. If you choose to believe me, then you will act accordingly and go around it. Likewise, those who truly believe will choose not to continue to sin. Their desire will be to honour God. (I am not talking about sinless perfection either)
James 2:14-20 says, "What use is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone says he has faith, but he has no works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? In the same way, faith also, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.
But someone may well say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. But are you willing to acknowledge, you foolish person, that faith without works is useless?"
Notice in the last verse that it says that some may say we simply need faith to be saved but these people are foolish.

 

[d taylor]

Yes. They must believe to be saved and it is through faith that God gives us grace. But that does not mean we simply can continue in sin. We must leave our sin.
How we act in life is based on our beliefs. For example, if I told you that there is a land mine in the path, if you choose not to believe me, then you will walk straight into it. If you choose to believe me, then you will act accordingly and go around it. Likewise, those who truly believe will choose not to continue to sin. Their desire will be to honour God. (I am not talking about sinless perfection either)
James 2:14-20 says, "What use is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone says he has faith, but he has no works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? In the same way, faith also, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.
But someone may well say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. But are you willing to acknowledge, you foolish person, that faith without works is useless?"
Notice in the last verse that it says that some may say we simply need faith to be saved but these people are foolish.

-
​

I have discussed this too many times with you and do not care to add to that number.

 

[AlonzoJahue]

Over the decades I have seen such people most often in large cities. Some are heavy on end times, some are confrontational. Some may even have religious spirits that set them off and yes they can pollute the atmosphere and become a true annoyance. This is not to say that someone could not be legit. I would not judge them though. Perhaps the Holy Spirit ministers through some as a sign. It is frightful to hear the end of the world is at hand from a guy in a sandwich board that says repent or whatever. Makes anyone think about where they stand. The best way to minister though is to set an example, and for most a bullhorn will not be it, unless you have a venue like Speaker's corner in London or somewhere like that. The EU city squares are great for public evangelism. In African it is open air tent meetings, in the USA and other places I have seen indoor/outdoor worship events that are city wide. Street witnessing is certainly good as well, but probably not with a bullhorn.

Thank you Richard T. You have made some good points.

 

[d taylor]

-
​

The Bible is clear that a person does not receive God;s free gift of Eternal Life by repentance of sins, leaving sins, being baptized, following Jesus, saying a prayer, confessing Jesus, etc...

The ones out in the streets shouting on bullhorns repent or using the ten commandments to show you you are a sinner. Or other sin focused approaches and not a Gospel centered on God's free gift of Life.
they also have a man created gospel of verses pick out from different books of The Bible. Combined together to present to the person they are addressing.

Never say to people it is only by belief in Jesus a person becomes a born again child of God. Actually they never talk about receiving God's free gift of Eternal Life. They are always talking about forgiveness of sin, but they fail to mention at the cross Jesus took away the sin of the world. So sin is not an issue in receiving God's free gift of Eternal Life, as Jesus stated it is finished.

 

[1Tonne]

The Bible is clear that a person does not receive God;s free gift of Eternal Life by repentance of sins, leaving sins, being baptized, following Jesus, saying a prayer, confessing Jesus, etc...

This is correct. We cannot earn eternal life. It is simply by putting our trust in Jesus.

The ones out in the streets shouting on bullhorns repent or using the ten commandments to show you you are a sinner. Or other sin focused approaches and not a Gospel centered on God's free gift of Life.
they also have a man created gospel of verses pick out from different books of The Bible. Combined together to present to the person they are addressing.

Because people are prideful, many think that they can earn their way to heaven because they think they are good people. Proverbs 20:6, it says, "Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness" But Isaiah 64:6 says that "All our righteous acts are like filthy rags..." We cannot earn our way to heaven. So, it is good to bring out the 10 Commandments to show that every person has broken them and that they are not a good person. If God looks at hate as murder and lust as adultery, how many good deeds do we need to do to make up for all our sins? We can't make up for them. Hence, we need to simply put our faith in Jesus. We cannot earn our way to heaven. That is impossible. It is by faith alone.
But those who believe will act a certain way as I previously stated. They will want to honour God and so they will not want to trample on the cross by sinning continually.
"If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; 7 but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin." 1 John 1:6-7

"For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. 8 Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit." 1Thes 4:7-8

Matt 9:13 “For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” This says that Jesus wanted sinners to have a change of mind. So, once they sinned, and then they changed to living in a Holy manner.

"By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. 4 The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; 5 but whoever follows His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: 6 the one who says that he remains in Him ought, himself also, walk just as He walked." 1 John 1:4-6

1 Cor 6:9-10 says “Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people—none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God.”

Luke 6:46 says, “Now why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” Luke continues in verse 49 saying to act on Jesus' words. It shows what it is like for someone who acts and for those that don’t. Those who act will have a solid foundation. While those who do not act will be washed away with their weak foundation.

Romans 8:12-14 also says, "So then, brothers and sisters, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh, for if you are living in accord with the flesh, you are going to die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons and daughters of God." So, believe and repent. Do not live according to the flesh.

Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed. 1 Peter 2:24

 

[d taylor]

This is correct. We cannot earn eternal life. It is simply by putting our trust in Jesus.

Because people are prideful, many think that they can earn their way to heaven because they think they are good people. Proverbs 20:6, it says, "Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness" But Isaiah 64:6 says that "All our righteous acts are like filthy rags..." We cannot earn our way to heaven. So, it is good to bring out the 10 Commandments to show that every person has broken them and that they are not a good person. If God looks at hate as murder and lust as adultery, how many good deeds do we need to do to make up for all our sins? We can't make up for them. Hence, we need to simply put our faith in Jesus. We cannot earn our way to heaven. That is impossible. It is by faith alone.
But those who believe will act a certain way as I previously stated. They will want to honour God and so they will not want to trample on the cross by sinning continually.
"If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; 7 but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin." 1 John 1:6-7

"For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. 8 Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit." 1Thes 4:7-8

Matt 9:13 “For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” This says that Jesus wanted sinners to have a change of mind. So, once they sinned, and then they changed to living in a Holy manner.

"By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. 4 The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; 5 but whoever follows His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: 6 the one who says that he remains in Him ought, himself also, walk just as He walked." 1 John 1:4-6

1 Cor 6:9-10 says “Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people—none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God.”

Luke 6:46 says, “Now why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” Luke continues in verse 49 saying to act on Jesus' words. It shows what it is like for someone who acts and for those that don’t. Those who act will have a solid foundation. While those who do not act will be washed away with their weak foundation.

Romans 8:12-14 also says, "So then, brothers and sisters, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh, for if you are living in accord with the flesh, you are going to die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons and daughters of God." So, believe and repent. Do not live according to the flesh.

Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed. 1 Peter 2:24

-

​

Where is your 10 commandments sin focused method used in The Bible. When people are seen telling people about Eternal Life and how to receive Life.

 

[1Tonne]

-​

Where is your 10 commandments sin focused method used in The Bible. When people are seen telling people about Eternal Life and how to receive Life.

In Mark 17:10-31. A rich young rule comes up and asks Jesus what he may do to get eternal life. Jesus asks if he has kept the commandments.
Also, in Galatians, Paul points out that is what the Law that brought them to Christ.
Galatians 3:24 Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
Another great verse that shows how important it is to use the law when preaching is Psalms 19:7. "The Law of the Lord is perfect at converting the soul" If it is perfect, then why would we not use it?

Also, here are some really good quotes from preachers about using the Law in evangelism.

Charles Spurgeon:
"The law serves a most necessary purpose. By the preaching of the law, the sinner is converted from the error of his ways and is induced to flee to Christ for pardon. They will never accept grace until they tremble before a just and holy law."

John Wesley:
"Before I preach love, mercy, and grace, I must preach sin, law, and judgment. It is the sharp needle of the law that makes way for the thread of the gospel."

Martin Luther:
"The first duty of the gospel preacher is to declare God’s law and to show the nature of sin because it will act as a schoolmaster and bring him to everlasting life, which is in Jesus Christ."

Paul Washer:
"People do not see the beauty of the gospel until they understand the infinite holiness of God and the depth of their sin, as revealed by His law."

Ray Comfort:
"You cannot use grace as a tool to bring conviction. It’s the law that brings the knowledge of sin. It shows a sinner why they need a Savior."

 

[d taylor]

In Mark 17:10-31. A rich young rule comes up and asks Jesus what he may do to get eternal life. Jesus asks if he has kept the commandments.
Also, in Galatians, Paul points out that is what the Law that brought them to Christ.
Galatians 3:24 Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
Another great verse that shows how important it is to use the law when preaching is Psalms 19:7. "The Law of the Lord is perfect at converting the soul" If it is perfect, then why would we not use it?

Also, here are some really good quotes from preachers about using the Law in evangelism.

Charles Spurgeon:
"The law serves a most necessary purpose. By the preaching of the law, the sinner is converted from the error of his ways and is induced to flee to Christ for pardon. They will never accept grace until they tremble before a just and holy law."

John Wesley:
"Before I preach love, mercy, and grace, I must preach sin, law, and judgment. It is the sharp needle of the law that makes way for the thread of the gospel."

Martin Luther:
"The first duty of the gospel preacher is to declare God’s law and to show the nature of sin because it will act as a schoolmaster and bring him to everlasting life, which is in Jesus Christ."

Paul Washer:
"People do not see the beauty of the gospel until they understand the infinite holiness of God and the depth of their sin, as revealed by His law."

Ray Comfort:
"You cannot use grace as a tool to bring conviction. It’s the law that brings the knowledge of sin. It shows a sinner why they need a Savior."

-
​

The rich young ruler was already a believer, he was asking about the rewards part of eternal life. As is stated

So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”

Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”

Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.”