After writing my "Plea to the Street Preachers" I was given godly counsel to send it out to as many street preachers that I could. I knew there was a chance that some would take it the wrong way. I am posting the responses to my plea, so we can all learn from the street preachers where the flaws in my plea were. I want to say this...everyone of these guys has been doing it longer and in more places than me. They make some good points, so I want to share the responses from those that thought I was wrong in saying what I said.
This one is from a Rochester standard - Kevin Deegan
Shannon
A number of folks on this list have wondered who you are. I see your domain is based in Rochester NY. Having preached on street corners and events in Rochester for 25 years I wonder why I nor any of our group of Street Preachers know of you. Could you introduce yourself?
Reading the responses to your plea seems it was not received as a encouragement as you intended. I am not surprised since Street Preaching is a difficult ministry at best and surely not a popular ministry within the church. Having served with many of these men for a number of years I am intimately aware of the victories and of the disappointments/struggles some of these men have endured! A number of the men I have mentored in this work have endured all manner of attacks and discouragement.
From reading your plea, I would contend that when you "heard preachers move from preaching to name calling" that would be the proper forum and the proper time to deal with the issue!
Would you agree that the scriptures give clear direction in dealing with an erring brother?
MT 18:15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
Or is your intent that there are many on this list guilty of such behavior so you went directly to verse 17?
In addition such a generic plea leaves one wondering just who on this list is the target.
I find many items in your plea, that are difficult to deal with being without specifics.
If fact such statements as "I am not trying to get anyone to tone down their message…I begging some of you to change" seem to indicate you are throwing charges about hoping that some will stick. Why wouldn't you simply send an email to the individuals that you see as the problem rather than to a list you assembled from the internet? A shotgun plea rather than specifics must scatter aspersions upon all on this list.
Since you brought this topic to this forum is your intent now to shrink from it?
Saturday, August 4, 2007
Thank You Sir May I Have Another Pt. 4
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4 comments:
Brother Kevin,
You said - A number of folks on this list have wondered who you are. I see your domain is based in Rochester NY. Having preached on street corners and events in Rochester for 25 years I wonder why I nor any of our group of SP's know of you. Could you introduce yourself?
Well you would probably know me by face, and I’ve introduced myself to you a few times before. The last time I saw you I was handing coffee out to the street preachers at the Hill Cumorah Pageant. I am obviously of a different stripe in the street ministry, I do not travel around…only in the area, St. Patrick’s Day, Gay Pride, Lilac Fest, Main & Clinton, and Liberty Poll ect…this year Hill Cumorah.
You said - Reading the responses to your plea seems it was not received as an encouragement as you intended.
Actually, I got many great and encouraging responses to my e-mail, but the guys who responded with encouragement and love sent it only to me, whereas for whatever reason the negative responses were sent to everyone.
You said - I am not surprised since SPing is a difficult ministry at best and surely not a popular ministry within the church. Having served with many of these men for a number of years I am intimately aware of the victories and of the disappointments/struggles some of these men have endured! A number of the men I have mentored in this work have endured all manner of attacks and discouragement.
Street Preaching is definitely against the flow... and I agree it’s not even that popular within the church. I have been blessed in that regard as I have wonderful pastors who encourage us to engage the culture, and to reach out to the lost.
I imagine you are deeply connected with these guys as this type of ministry is one that unless you do it, you don’t really understand it. (I’m sure I don’t fully understand it either), but working out on the street I figured I have a better idea than the Christians you usually hear from. You guys have often said that Christians are sometimes the hardest on you, and I find that disappointing. My intention was not to attack at all…seriously if you can’t hear that, you are not listening.
Maybe you guys are so used to hearing the criticism from those that are against street work that you read my letter with the same mindset. Perhaps if you re-read it you will get a clearer understanding of where I was coming from.
You said - From reading your plea, I would contend that when you "heard preachers move from preaching to name calling" that would be the proper forum and the proper time to deal with the issue!
Yeah…because they receive correction so well… (Laughing)
Seriously…I think the biggest misconception all you guys got from my letter is that I said I was a personal witness to all of these things. I will admit that I was not. Much of what I have seen was searching “Street Preaching” on the internet and finding information, and various videos. Also I would argue that when I do see it on the street or at an event, it is ABSOLUTLY NOT the proper forum or time to deal with it. When we are on the street we need to be a united front, not me correcting you and you correcting me. Agree?
You said - Would you agree that the scriptures give clear direction in dealing with an erring brother? MT 18:15 “Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother” Or is your intent that there are many on this list guilty of such behavior so you went directly to verse 17?
I wrote this “Plea” thing as I write other stuff more of a get my thoughts out on paper sort of thing. I showed it to a few inner circle friends and they encouraged me to send it. I prayed about it, and I really felt like the Holy Spirit was giving me liberty to send it out. I had godly counsel, I had a scriptural basis for my plea 2Tim 2:24-26, I had peace in sending it. As far as who’s on the list, I really just went about to find all the street preacher’s e-mail addresses I could find in the circles I know and sent it out. There were a few guys that I couldn’t find an e-mail for, but I see you got it so I guess that’s not a problem.
You said - In addition such a generic plea leaves one wondering just who on this list is the target.
Should I wonder the same thing when I’m sitting in a church service and the preacher is preaching a message? No I just listen and ask the Holy Spirit what He has for me.
You said - I find many items in your plea, which are difficult to deal with being without specifics.
Why? I don’t understand this “specifics” point, and all my negative responses have said that very thing. What specifics do you want? My four bullet points were hypothetical, but since you asked, you guys answered your own questions about “Who” and “Where” ect…
• Who was calling Mormons morons? – Read Larry Keffer’s second response to me. – “A couple weeks ago I was at Hill Cumorah preaching to the Mormons and I did call them Morons. I called their book "the Book of Moron"
• Who has called women, whores? Read James Lyman’s point #7 in his response. Or watch Larry Keffer as he explains why on “The Bleeping Truth” video part1.
• Who prepares for confrontation with police? Read Ron McRae’s response as he tells me that the street preacher that Gerry Sutek wrote about bringing his toothbrush was him.
Hopefully those are specific enough, If you are looking for other specifics, please be more...um…specific about what specifics you would like…specifically. : )
You said - If fact such statements as "I am not trying to get anyone to tone down their message…I begging some of you to change" seem to indicate you are throwing charges about hoping that some will stick.
I actually said "I am not trying to get anyone to tone down their message…I begging some of you to change your tone” I will try and clarify what I meant, If I cannot hear compassion or concern in some ones voice when they preach, rest assured that the lost people certainly can’t. If I think some one is sounding hateful…and I understand what they are trying to do…can you imagine what a lost person with no clue hears?
You said - Why wouldn't you simply send an email to the individuals that you see as the problem rather than to a list you assembled from the internet? A shotgun plea rather than specifics must scatter aspersions upon all on this list.
Again, sending the letter out was more of a secondary thought. To answer your question though, I do not always know who is preaching, and I don’t know all the street preachers. Plus many of the street preaches don’t have current e-mail addresses. A “shotgun” plea seemed like a good way to get it moving. I figured if someone read it an thought it was worth passing on they would share it…looks like they are sharing it, only for different reasons.
You Said - Since you brought this topic to this forum is your intent now to shrink from it?
I have been answering a bunch of e-mails, as I get time. I certainly am not shrinking away from them; I think it’s a very positive thing to open up the dialog. All my responses, (as this one will be) are only sent to the person that sends the e-mail. I am trying to be careful not to feed the fire. If someone responds, I want to show the respect of giving them a well thought out answer.
Anyways, I hope this gives you a better understanding of my intentions and motives. I certainly did not mean to upset anyone. We are on the same team, even if we are not on the same page. I look forward to seeing you again out there.
In Christ,
Shannon Young
SHANNON,
outstanding response. I know this is consuming a lot of time and probably emotionally trying as your heart is to help and not cause strife. Keep it up. Some were encouraged, some were challenged, some were convicted, some were reminded - all were impacted!
I must say, I went to the SPF website - there were a lot of 'testimonies,' pics, stories, etc. A lot of name calling and "martyrdom" stories. Not one hint of true love and concern for the lost. Seemed as if they were happy the sinners were going to hell. I find that disappointing and sad. I'm ALL for street preaching. I'm not sure I'm for this. I agree with Aaron & Steph - you're doing great. Keep it up!
I appreciate all the encouragment!
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