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paulvipond · Joined: 14 Nov 2006 Posts: 60 Location: Bury

DavidH · Joined: 14 Aug 2007 Posts: 18

There are many instances of people coming to Christ through the ministry of a street preacher. As an example, the Salvation Army made large use of this method of Gospel presentation along with their social care programme towards the end of the 19th century.

Where do these statistics come from?

Firstly, only God knows whether these 80% are really Christians. The last census stated that something like 73% of Britons class themselves as "Christian." Looking around all those empty churches and watching the antics of both government and public, I somehow doubt this. Maybe if the census had asked for their personal testimony....

I know quite a few people engaged in street ministry who would testify to the fact that many people DO come to Christ as a result of street preaching and witnessing.

Sorry about the huge URL here

http://www.christianmyspacelayout...-ray-witnessing-in-deep-ellum/123

but click on it and watch how taking the biblical gospel to the streets affects the life of this group of teens. Greg Ray is handing out coins with the Ten Commandments stamped on them... Lasts about ten minutes
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Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come:
and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.
Rev 14:7
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paulvipond · Joined: 14 Nov 2006 Posts: 60 Location: Bury

DavidH · Joined: 14 Aug 2007 Posts: 18

The article is interesting but a bit limited in its source of research, and possibly biased (given the "ecumenical" tag.) An ecumenical group in Scotland (a rarity in itself,) can hardly speak for the whole of the UK, can it, In fact, It would be difficult enough to speak for the whole of Scotland. I would imagine that their focus, for the most part, was the central belt cities, (Glasgow, Stirling, Edinburgh,) rather than the Lowland farming communities or Highland villages and hamlets.

I know of one church in Ullapool (Northern Highlands, West coast,) that engages in witness to the thousands of tourists who pass through in the Summer and, they've seen results (if fleetingly) in attendance at their meetings. Astonishingly, these were the "Wee Frees" - the hard line Calvinist wing of the Free Church of Scotland!

The resultant points are hardly ground-breaking research, are they? People are important, God's important and the "Church" is impressive when acting in unity. However...

To answer some earlier statements...

John Wesley is reported many times as having been physically assaulted and otherwise abused during his open air meetings, as were Whitefield and other early Methodist preachers. This is hardly the reaction of an invited audience. They knew that Wesley and co were coming but they were in no way "Wesleyans". Indeed, in Bolton (yes, that one,) John Wesley was dragged from the town cross where he was preaching and folk tried to stone him. Billy Graham, in addition to his stadium appearances was known to have visited bombed-out illegal bars in the streets of Belfast during the 1970's. Again, I'm not sure that the Republicans and Loyalists would have, out of choice, invited him to preach but preach he did. Just an example. Space is limited here.

You will never be able to communicate the Lordship of Jesus until you have preached the law. The law is the "schoolmaster" that brings us to Christ. The reason why so many "Christians" leave the church is that they were never really sure of why they needed to be saved in the first place.

Coming to church because the people are friendly and engaging isn't the same as receiving a saving relationship with Jesus. I could join a luncheon club and get the same fuzzy feeling. Well, maybe not a luncheon club, but you get the picture?

Whatever method is used to drag people within hearing range, in order to be saved, (And, as a result, join the church,) they still have to receive the same message.

Just as an aside, and to save me ranting on the old hobby horse, I'll put this open to the board...

What is the basic Gospel message? What is it that the person outside the church door has to hear or read and acknowledge in order to be assured of their eternal salvation?

I promise I won't jump on anyone's view. I'm just interested to know the consensus view of Seedfield's evangelists
_________________
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come:
and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.
Rev 14:7
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

paulvipond · Joined: 14 Nov 2006 Posts: 60 Location: Bury

countrydancer · Joined: 03 Jun 2007 Posts: 20 Location: any local ceilidh

Please see my posting on the subject of What is the gospel?
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Someone at the folk dance club said why was I there if I was a Calvinist. I said it was predestined!
(Obviously they had this idea that Calvinists and Puritans can't have fun)

DavidH · Joined: 14 Aug 2007 Posts: 18