Steps Toward Open-Air Preaching

Posts in my open-air series so far (for context)...

1. The Gospel in the Open-Air Again
2. Guidelines for Open-Air Preaching
3. Open-Air Preaching is Optional?
4. Missional Open-Air Preaching

Jesse Winkler put up a very helpful comment today on my Missional Open-Air Preaching post. Jesse writes...

After I read some stuff and watched the vids you posted I made a short list of things I can do right now as I'm not ready to go stand on the street and start preaching. My list was 1) begin to pray for the right heart, 2) make a solid intentional list of verses and memorize them, 3) find the right spots in my community, 4) compile a list of texts conducive to preaching the gospel in open air.

Great stuff, Jesse. One of the things I've failed to do yet in this series, though I've done some sporadically throughout, is to let people know what I'm doing before I start some form of open-air preaching. I think the preparation is crucial to doing it well. Jesse's four points are excellent and are clearly reflective of things I'm doing. Here's what I'm doing to take steps toward open-air preaching...

1. Praying | I'm not spending a lot of time praying for the right heart, as I feel like the right heart is what God has been preparing in me to even do this series of posts and head in this direction evangelistically. But Jesse's comment reminds me I need to do this more. I'm praying currently more for revival in our church, for the Spirit to guide me toward the right places, right times, & right means, for the Spirit to be working in the hearts of the lost so the seeds of the Gospel will grow, etc. 

I'm also praying for a handful of guys who have expressed interest, who I've been in contact with privately about it, and for others who I hope will consider open-air preaching because they would be good at it. I think I mentioned that in a previous post, but worth noting here.

Some of the prayer for evangelism and toward the lostness of our neighbors is with my wife and kids. The kids know varying amounts of info about my growing plans (depending on their age and maturity), but they are a part of this for sure. They will know (generally) what I'm doing when I do it.

2. Brainstorming | I'm spending a significant amount of time just brainstorming. Ideas sometimes come out of prayer, and prayer is my response to ideas. Often listening to podcasts helps to spark my thinking (preaching on particular passages, on revival, on evangelism; Jerram Barrs iTunes U evangelism class), drawing stuff on my whiteboard or in my Moleskine workbook, making lists, playing with acrostics for different things I'm doing or want to do, making notes in a personal journal, etc. I can't emphasize how important untethered time has been in thinking this stuff through. 

I could make a whole other point on stuff I'm reading that's a part of my brainstorming, but it's more pieces of things. Much I've found helpful I've tweeted or posted as quotes. But I'll just say I'm reading Scripture, books, stuff out of theology books, evangelism books, etc and so on to help me continue to brainstorm.

I'm also watching videos of people doing open-air preaching. Even the bad stuff is informative on at least what NOT to do. :) I notice a lot of patterns found in nearly all preachers, which helps in brainstorming as well.

3. Bouncing Ideas & Seeking Advice | Molly gets a lot of it. She's pumped, and always has good wifely advice as well as godly advice. Important because of of who she is in my life, and because she needs to be prayed up and prepared for any possible negative consequences. I've been on the phone more the last 3 days than in the last month, just picking brains. Joe Thorn gets plenty of that, but other guys elsewhere are getting some of that. Emails and DM's on Twitter are hopping. I've started sending a list of my posts to some respected guys out there (pastors, authors, missiologists) for their advice, feedback, or whatever. I need people to tell me if/where I'm wrong! I'm thinking it through and I KNOW some guys out there think I'm a nutjob for saying all this, but few are saying it to me. Dear "that guy," please tell me. Help me. Sharpen me. 

4. Canvassing My City (County) | I've done this for a while, but it's ramping up. I'm doing drive-bys and paying visits to places at certain times to gauge people-flow. I somewhat regularly do work at the local community college to see the flow of students to and from campus, to and from the cafeteria, etc. Last night, for example, I left the house and did a drive-by the local bars. How busy are they on a Wednesday night?

I have some workbook notes on specific times and places of things that happen, as well as spaces that might be conducive. Helpful for praying and planning for open-air preaching.

5. Texts for Memorizing/Preaching | Jesse's point here is important. I'm looking particularly to the parables at the moment for preaching. I'm focusing more on gospel Scriptures than apologetics Scriptures, but both have a place. 

I'm also convicted after some discussion with Jim Elliff that I need to spend more time reading Scripture than reading other good things, books, etc. Trying to ramp up that pursuit.

6. Preparing My Local Church | I'm telling my church in sermons what I'm planning (more vaguely). I'm telling my church in community groups and prayer meetings in as much detail as is helpful. They are responding with more prayer, with more focused prayer, prayer for boldness, etc. After worship on Sunday they spontaneously (led by a couple people) surrounded me, laid their hands on me, and prayed for boldness.

7. Seeking Partners | I've also told my people I need them in the work. Some need to be there to observe, respond relationally and conversationally to follow-up. A few have already stepped forward for that.

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Jesse had a second thing he brought up and I'll briefly respond to...

My hang up is, in addition to the qualities you mention that you're calling for in open air preaching, doesn't there have to be an attractional element to gather people? What does that look like other than being in a public place and raising your voice really loud?

I'm going to have more to say about this when I start talking about a particular approach I'm planning on taking. But I'm hoping to take a gradual approach to public preaching, meaning to start preaching out of other things that are occurring. In Acts 2 Peter's preaching is responding to the drunkenness comments of the crowd after tongues are spoken. In Acts 3 Peter's preaching is responding to the lame guy leaping around after healing takes place. Paul (generally speaking) often moves from Synagogue to marketplace to further opportunity (Areopagus, Hall of Tyrannus). Public preaching (of some sort) of Jesus is often in response to his healing, his helping the woman caught in adultery, to the crowds surrounding him because of other things going on. 

Now, we for some reason have taken that to mean we should learn some clever magic tricks and juggling in order to draw a crowd. I think more biblical ways above are better ways.

While I'm probably not going to take a lame guy and make him walk (unless the Lord wills!), I can start small with a conversation with one or two in such a way and in such a place that it leads to others joining in as they either eavesdrop (which we hope for) or because they are invited to join. 

In other words, I'm not planning at this point on being the dude who brings in his ladder and microphone and says my name and starts preaching to a crowd. I'm planning on starting with a few, loudly enough and in a public gathering area in order that others will overhear, and with the hope it draws a crowd and larger-scale open-air preaching is the result. AND, I believe I've found at least one way to do that in my city, though I'm not ready to post that specifically here. I've told a few friends. I'm happy to give a little more info to anyone who desires more. But what I gave should be enough to spark some thought in your context.

Hope that's helpful. Again, thinking it all through. Trying to find a way to do it better. And I'm desperate for negative or positive feedback so I'm not just some blogger out there saying a bunch stuff that will amount to nothing. What would you add to my list?

Comments

[Will Adair]

May God's name favorably increase. As for 7, you know how to contact me if you want anything more than prayer from me.

[Jessewinkler]

Super cool stuff, Steve. I think we have a bit of an uphill battle on our hands because of our culture for a few reasons. 1) The taboo factor because of the crazies. 2) The privacy factor. Not only are people not lounging around talking philosophy, religion and politics anymore, I also don't know how many people are going to poke their nose into your conversation with a couple guys.

What our culture is accustomed to are events. This is the approach I'm leaning toward and thinking through how we can make the preaching followed by discussion a public/accessible and inviting/engaging event that people can count on with some sort of consistency. In a way bringing "church" to them (without the church name). I'm in the burbs so this wouldn't be on a curb but in a courtyard in the middle of a big shopping center.

[Zac Martin]

Steve, I would love to have a conversation or create the opportunity for a conversation with other guys thinking and praying about doing this. It has really been resonating with me lately and would love thoughts from other guys about what they are thinking/planning

[Gabe]

This has got me all kinds of excited.

So far as Jesse's comment, I like the idea of something event-like. If you had one Glen Hansard-esque guy who could play and sing behind you, you could draw people. If, then, you began your sermon and refused to take money, yes, I see that working.

[tony sheng]

hey steve, i've skimmed most of your posts on this. we have a friend who works vocationally with a ministry called open air campaigners. their whole goal is to get the gospel out in the open air. granted some of their dna may not quite fit with yours but it might be interesting for you to check them out. i know they do a lot of training and their medium is a big paintboard, where they tell a gospel story on.

it's uncanny to see our friend preach in the open - i'm pretty sure he's got the gift of evangelism...

[JZ]

Steve, I believe that of all the ministers/priests that I've known, and that's quite a lot, you are the only one that is capable of pulling this off. Dig down deep inside, grab hold of that spark of courage, hold on for a ride and go with it. Concerning the ones that may think of you as a nut, look those people straight in the eye and speak to their hearts. You can change them, or should I say that the power of the Holy Spirit in you can change them.

Go for it. Hold true to what God has put in you and take the message to the people. This sounds like your call.

Oh yeah, and let me know when and where. I'll do my best to come and support you.

[Steve McCoy]

Thanks Will. Just sent you an email.

[Steve McCoy]

Good thoughts, Jesse. I've seen churches try to do stuff like that here, and they've bombed. They don't gather crowds here. At least not the stuff I've seen so far. But I'd love for you to try and let us know what happens!

[Steve McCoy]

Gabe, I agree, if I had Glen Hansard-esque type guy at my church, it would all work out. :)

My only fear is the bait & switch. Oh, cool music. Wait, who is this guy preaching at me now. It would have to be clear what it is, I think. Agree? Plus, Glen Hansard is too busy to help a brutha out! ;)

[Steve McCoy]

Thanks for the feedback, Tony. I've seen several OAC preachers and the paintboard approach. I know the approach makes it easier to get more guys out there doing it, and I very much appreciate that. I just don't know about doing it. It seems salesman-ish. It feels like the lady at Sam's trying to get me to watch the juicer presentation.

Am I the only one who feels that? It just rubs me the wrong way, as much as the message is clear and concise.

But seriously, I'm glad someone is out there doing something with the Gospel!

[Jessewinkler]

I'm with you on the salesman-ish flavor of a paint board, musician, juggler, etc. I hope if God is in this, his power in the gospel is enough as administered faithfully, consistently and sincerely.

When I say a public event I don't mean a done up thing with liturgy, music, agenda, etc. I just mean a recognizable and repeatable event where a group of people show up (say every Friday night or Saturday late morning), preach a message and engage in discussion afterward. I found an outdoor amphitheater in the center of a popular shopping center (with movie theater, Chipotle, subway, Starbucks and other restaurants) in my community where this could work well in a San Diego year-round climate. This is the only way to go in my middle-upper class suburbs hood.

Otherwise, there are places here you can go to begin discussions with a small group of people around the gospel. Did that the other night at Stone Brewery with a buddy and 9 Catholics who were very religious but had no clue of the gospel.

You've gotten me stirred up, Steve. Thank you for being faithful to what God has put in your heart and mind no matter where this goes. It was at great risk.

[Matt Jones]

I am a 28 year old church planter in one of the most lost cities in America. I really like your ideas for open-air preaching and I wanted throw out that perhaps you could connect this to service and followup? Could you do a massive public service project at a community festival and then offer a time for people to go to the side and hear a message? Also, could the preaching be aimed at enticing people to come to your church? Do you have to call for an immediate response or could it be perceived as a public service announcement about the Gospel and offering the local church as a place to learn more if you are interested? Just my thoughts. Great series of posts.

[Gabe]

Well, I used Glen Hansard as an example and I do see the concern for the bait and switch style. What attracted them should be the gospel, not the music. I was actually just thinking in terms of literally having worship as an accompaniment. Does that make sense? It might not be the best idea, just kind of pictured it in my head.

[Jessewinkler]

I'm actually still considering using a guy with a guitar. There must be a way to include music without it being bait and switch. I just don't want the music to be the draw and then I hop up and start preaching. Maybe a sermon closed with a provocative question followed by a gospel centered song my guy wrote (not participatory) followed by dialog with the crowd. I could have my own guys in the crowd to get interaction going if nobody else did. Again, picture this in a public ampitheatre in the middle of a big shopping center not on street curb. But do I have the guts.....

[Steve McCoy]

Gabe, I recently spoke to one of the foremost speakers on revival and he linked music to the practice of open-air stuff. How to do it? I dunno. Playing good music for others to hear and to collect around is a gift. It makes people happy. It's a blessing. I'm fine linking it, I just don't quite have that as a part of my first thoughts on what I'm planning on doing. But buy all means, if you figure out how to use it well, go for it!

[Gabe]

What strikes me about these thoughts and what continues to excite me about it as I pray is that this whole concept would engage the deacon in a very Acts way. These guys don't have to be shepherds. They don't have to be elders. They just have to have clear theology and the ability to preach.

Would you agree?

[Steve McCoy]

Gabe, I think so. But my concern, in particular, is that those who have been called by God to preach the Gospel are hiding hiding behind our pulpit in our buildings. That includes me. So yes, I think many others can be equipped and go do this.

[Chris, your friendly church-planter-in-training]

All you need is Bono. Just sayin.

Seriously, though, I've thought about this issue, too, I once had a conversation with a man in Boston who had gone to a seminary nearby, and then committed his life to open air preaching in the city. I didn't really appreciate his caustic style, but oh well. I'm sure some have heard and now believe as a result.

I don't think anyone can look at the biblical record and actually argue against public preaching. But here's the question that really gets me thinking. The public preaching in Acts usually occurs in a forum where it was expected that people would go to exchange religious and/or philosophical ideas. What rolls around in my mind-- where do people in our culture go expecting to hear, weigh, and possibly adopt different philosophies?

I'm not sure we have clear parallels in our day, but I could be missing something. Maybe universities? Online chat boards? Philosophical societies? Coffee shop open-mics? Public TV broadcasting?

One thought-- maybe we need to go preach outside motivational speakers' engagements. The people are looking for answers, right?!

I don't know. Anyone else care to take a stab?

[Chris, your friendly church-planter-in-training]

crickets...

chirp chirp

[Steve McCoy]

Chris, I wrote a response. Obviously, I don't know why it's not up. I basically said this...

Where do you get that idea from Acts? I see it in one of the three contexts of Acts 17. Where else?

[Chris, again]

Steve-

Not sure exactly what clarification you want. Here are the 3 major categories I'm thinking of re: preaching/teaching in Acts (do these match yours?):

1) public, proactive- as the Spirit led, preaching to the crowds, identifying those God had appointed for life

2) public, reactive- Peter at Pentecost, before authorities, before the crowds to explain healings

3) private, for the church- in homes, Hall of Tyrannus, etc.

It seems to me that category 1 is the main one we need to consider in determining what open air preaching might look like for us today. The apostles went into a new area to reach a new population with the gospel and focused on contexts where the exchange of religious/philosophical ideas would be expected-- usually the synagogue or the marketplace.

They clearly also were ready to give an account all the time, as the Spirit gave opportunities for gospel proclamation. It's still very important for us to be ready today, but that's not really applicable to the discussion about what strategic, open air preaching might look like today.

So back to my question-- what are the parallel contexts for us today? Where are people willing to hear and exchange such ideas?

Not trying to cloud the discussion here, just trying to figure out how the missionary principles of Acts should be practiced in our own culture, as different as it is from 1st century cultures.

[Steve McCoy]

I'm wanting to say that we don't just go to places where people are willing to hear. There are conducive places and non-conducive places. Public preaching in a courtroom during a trial, non-conducive. Any public sidewalk at any time, conducive (if people are there and you aren't blocking the way). Know what I mean?

I don't see Paul just talking to the willing. I see him talking to the crowd, and some will be unwilling.

Are we getting each other?

[Chris, again]

Understood and agreed. I think anyone who has a pulse needs to hear the gospel. I also agree that there are contexts that are appropriate and inappropriate for public proclamation.

I guess I'm trying to figure out, if we're going to take up the task of open air preaching, where should we focus our efforts? What are the cultural fora where we have the greatest chance of gathering a crowd, engaging in productive dialogue, getting a hearing, etc? When I read Acts it seems like Paul and the apostles thought this way, even on a macro level, i.e. choosing city centers instead of smaller towns, then focusing on synagogues or marketplaces, etc.

Then again, maybe the principle is simpler than that-- go where the most people are!

Have you been able to identify particular settings in your town that provide better opportunities for public preaching?

[Steve McCoy]

Very much appreciate the conversation, Chris. I need the push back, questions, etc. Hopefully it's helping more than just us.

Your questions are important and it's what I'm working on in my context. I live in the distant burbs of Chicago. No simple answers here. If you want to email me I can give more specifics of what I want to see on a couple of different levels that I'm not comfortable sharing publicly. pastorsteve [at] gmail [dot] com

As for going where the "most people are," I think Paul did that, for sure. He went to the marketplace, "So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there." I assume that means every sort of person, but it may also mean whether there were a few or a lot. But by nature of being the marketplace, it's going to have the heaviest people-flow.

In my context, everything is built in order to protect you from things like public preaching. You get everywhere by cars. Our downtown square makes the most sense.