Open-Air Preaching in Portland

I was connected through a common friend with Josh White, pastor of Door of Hope church in Portland, Oregon. My friend knew of my posts on open-air preaching and he knew that Josh White is doing it. After a couple of emails the last few weeks and then a phone call today, I'm very excited to share some of what Josh and Door of Hope are doing. (By the way, Josh is lead singer of the Christian band Telecast. I saw them open for Crowder in Lexington, KY years ago and had to pick up their CD, Eternity is Now. Still gets play time. Had no idea until the end of our phone conversation that he leads Telecast. Door of Hope also has connection with Blitzen Trapper and other solid indie bands in Portland. See more of their music family, friends, and favorites.)

After a great, descriptive email from Josh of what their open-air work looks like, I asked if I could turn what he wrote into a post. He said yes, but then he tweaked it so it could be on the church's website. Even better. So here is what Josh wrote about Church in the Park. What if more churches did this!?

Why do Church in the Park?

How do we bring the gospel to our neighborhood? How are we to be supernaturally natural in an urban environment that is less than 1% Christian? How do we encourage our Church community to stop treating their faith like a secret society? We do not see the early church primarily praying for the lost but praying for boldness. We are convinced that if our love for Christ surpasses our fear of people, we will begin to see revival occur in Portland. Church in the Park is our opportunity as a church family to declare together the good news of Jesus. However, the only exposure most of us have had to open air preaching is the zealous guy who stands alone and shouts at people, which never seems very effective. Or we see large irregular church events done with permits and sound systems, which is equally unnatural.

When do you meet?

Thursdays at 7pm.

Where do you meet?

Colonel Summer's Park
Between 19th and 20th Avenue on SE Taylor Street.

What is Church in the Park?

BRING THE CHURCH GATHERING TO THE PARK. Jesus said “they shall know you are my disciples by your love for one another.” When the body is together in a public space it gives authority and validity to the preaching of the gospel. It also allows for a lot of conversations to occur that would not in the confines of a building for the park is a place where the world and the church can truly intersect.

TOTALLY UNPLUGGED. No amplification allows us to meet with out permits and allows people to listen of their own accord with out us being a giant bear in their picnic. Every week people have walked over to the fringe of our gathering and listened - and sometimes heckled.

DIRECT THE MESSAGE TO THE CHURCH. This allows outsiders to witness a body of faith taking in the word while trusting the Holy Spirit will draw many to Himself if Jesus is lifted up.

MUSIC. We are blessed at Door of Hope to be in Portland and to have so many talented musicians. We are a singing church, and it is powerful witness to have a church body singing worship together in a public space.

CONSISTENCY. We do church in the park regularly. Cynicism dissipates as the people see that we are part of this neighborhood too, and that we aren't going anywhere. As long as it is not raining we will do it every week.

Is childcare provided?

Unfortunately, we do not currently offer childcare at Church in the Park.

Summary

All of this is having a tremendous effect on our church. It gives us greater confidence in the Spirit's ability to use us for Kingdom work, exposing many to the gospel for first time. Church in the park is definitely creating a stir, given that gospel proclamation is not popular in our beloved city. But we believe it will make an impact for “faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God”.

Comments

[Bill Streger]

Love this! Will have to get in touch with Josh next week.

[Tyler]

Glad you connected with Josh. The only issue with open air preaching and church in parks in Portland is that we only get a few months to do it around here :)

[Steve McCoy]

Bill, you should.

Tyler, true! :) Similar in Chicago.

[Jonathan Griffiths]

Awesome post, and cool to hear more about Josh White. You mentioned the band he fronts/fronted, but not a whisper of his astounding solo release from last year, called Achor. Seriously, it was one of my favorite releases of the year.

[Jonathan Shradar]

I would argue that Door of Hope also gives the most consistent gospel message in Portland - perfect church to be doing open air preaching. Miss those guys but glad you all are connecting.

[Steve McCoy]

Well, I can't mention albums I've never heard. Trust me. From all the recommendations on their website I'll be busy for weeks. :) I'll check out that one. Thanks Jonathan!

[Jonathan Griffiths]

Consider it a returned favor for all the music you've recommended that have been gems.

I really am excited about what Josh is doing. The focus on being the church in the public view is very cool - it's evangelistic by exposure, as opposed to attempting to speak directly to people. The latter is also important, but I get the sense that the way Door of Hope are pursuing it fits well in a hostile environment. This may have answered my biggest question about Nampa, where a sharp divide exists between the religious or the anti-religious. Either people think they have it figured out, or they hate your attempts to share the Gospel with them. But the existence of the church in worship and teaching in a public space is a different thing entirely.

[Reid]

Love it

[Matt]

*embarrassed* we could do this for 9-10 months here in Nashville.

I really wish I could see a video recording of an entire "Church in the Park." It would be helpful for me, but it would be even more helpful to show to members at my church.

[Josh White]

Hey Matt,

We are going to make a video of church in the park at the end of the month it will be up on the website shortly after.

[Matt Svoboda]

Josh,

Thanks man. I really appreciate it. Once that happens I am going to show it to my House Group and I think we are going to start doing it at least once a month- hopefully more.

[Melissa]

A couple weeks ago at church in the park I was passing by a young woman who asked what was going on. After explaining it to her, she looked shocked and then told me that she was actually in the park feeling very angry at God and figured she would go and have a beer and steep in self pity. We agreed that it wasn't coincidence that brought her there and she asked if it was okay if she joined, beer in hand (of course, come as you are).

Afterwards we had a good talk about the things going on in her life, why she was so angry at God and how she hoped to make it to the Sunday gathering. Which she did. I heard she gave her heart to Christ shortly after! :)

Church in the park led me to a new sister and a new sister to me. What can be more beautiful than that? Feeling and seeing God move in this city is refreshing!

[Steve McCoy]

Great story Melissa! Thanks for sharing it here. Encouraged.

[Chris]

Wow. Super encouraging interview and great testimony from Melissa. I'm challenged.