I found this article as written by a young person who had encountered a Street Pastor on a night out interesting …
‘Jen. You OK? Good night eh? I found this great video on me phone this morning. It’s me in the gutter being helped up by a bloke in a blue anorak. I’ll send it you if you want. Looks like I fell off me shoes. Tell the truth they were a bit high and were giving me right gyp after a few hours. But it was Lynne’s birthday an you gotta make an effort for a birthday. How you gonna pull if you ain’t got good shoes on? Still I don’t ‘member falling. But I must of. I like the bit where I keep saying it’s OK I can get up and then falling over again cos I’m trying to video myself getting up so I only have one hand free. What’s that all about then? D’you reckon someone spiked the drinks? Anyway we’d had a few glasses of wine and then started doing the shots and one thing led to another and we were off to a club and then I can’t remember. I think I went in a taxi and now it’s tomorrow and I’m in bed with a head and this weird video. Do you believe in angels Jen? Can’t say I do. Anyway angels don’t wear blue anoraks. Can you see what it says on his back? Street something? I used to think that lying on your back in the gutter was a sign of a good night out but it looks cold. Can’t believe I can’t remember anything and still managed to video being rescued. I may have to have me mobile surgically removed one day, God’s truth. What’s that? You’ve ‘eard of them? Street pastors? Well that’s just daft. Who’d volunteer to spend a night out in the cold helping people who get out of their skulls and fall off their shoes? I don’t know anyone who’d do that. Sounds like a quick way to get beat up. Why would anyone do that without being paid? Still, I’d like to say thank you. I’ll have a word round see if anyone knows the guy. I don’t think he saw me at my best. See you. Sooz’
The article may seem a tad contrived but I recognise the scenario as I work as a Street Pastor and this would not be an uncommon occurrence in my experience. I have the greatest respect for the Street Pastors movement for many reasons. Primarily I respect them because they are Christians who are not moralising about ‘binge drinking’ but rather doing something positive, supportive and non-judgemental with young people in our cities across the UK (in over a 100 now). However, the other reason I respect Street Pastors is that it seems to integrate the spiritual and social so well. There is the intention that there should be no heavy ’sell’ on Christianity and yet there is always a team praying about what goes on when Street Pastors are on the streets – at the same time (10pm – 4am!) In my experience the prayer is as vital as the pastoring and on many occasions I have watched situations that looked like they were going to ‘boil over’ fizzle out, or seen the police turn up at just the right moment, or found the words that connect with someone who is suicidal and ‘out of their face’… etc. Street Pastors also seems to me to be a good model of Christians getting on with Kingdom business and forgetting their preoccupation with denominational loyalty and theological hair splitting – sleeves rolled up dirty hands Christianity!
It is an ‘old chestnut’ I know – but I wonder what you think about the spiritual-social debate, some people would say that Street Pastors are too liberal and don’t proclaim the gospel enough, what do you think? What place has proclamation in our faith? Is it good enough to ‘be’ the good news or is this just a compromising position for apologetics? What do you think?
it’s catchin’ on, just being out there and offering to pray for you.
Pip & Jay have a big flag out in Broadmead every Sat, along with folding chairs and towels
the prayer patrol in St Pauls where yellow, and carry chunky bibles
I guess I respect the way these Christians are publicly sharing their faith and love, and it’s always worth praying
praying is a powerful way of inviting God to bring his love into a situation, at times this can be dramatically relevant, at others a quiet moment
sadly, though, I’ve stumbled all to often into a tricky conversation, wanting to be open to people who approach me and say their offering to pray …, only to find they’re not happy with my explanation of my faith, it’s not quite up to scratch, I should try their church as they cut the mustard
hopefully, the more Christians engage in street prayer, good practice, valuing training and genuine concern will catch on more and more, and people will have positive encounters to be usefully remembered. I guess I think the key here is good, on-going, training
By: subo on May 10, 2009
at 9:05 pm
I was just talking to someone the other day who opined that initiatives like street pastors did not try hard enough to talk to people about Jesus and convert them. It got me wondering about whether we really all have a responsibility to be talking to people about Jesus in that very direct way or not. I’ve personally never felt comfortable ‘witnessing’ to people – its not my style, plus I have never felt I had any answers to offer people! My witness is to try and love people the best I can, to try and model counter cultural christian values (hard), and try and follow Christ in my own life (very hard!). I suppose my friend would say that’s all very nice but it isn’t going to change anyone’s life. But when I see the kind of work Street Pastors do, I can’t help but think it must have an impact on the people they encounter. Maybe they don’t make converts out on the street – but they are certainly showing the love of Christ to the needy. Who knows what the long term impact of that will be in those people’s lives?
I sometimes wonder if the desperation for converts is borne out of a need for reassurance that God is really at work – a tangible measure, if you like. After all, if God is truly the creator and sustainer of life, presumably he doesn’t really need our help to reach other people anway – does he?
By: sanctuarybath on May 10, 2009
at 9:48 pm
Clare – perhaps he doesn’t ‘need’ our help but ‘wants’ it – I have been bowled over by recent revelation that God is excited about working with/in/through/on/in partnersahip/alongside me.
An update on my street pastor activity this weekend leaves me in no doubt that the fragility and weakness of my own efforts to be authentic with people on the streets is where it is really at!!
Kingdom love on the streets opens all kinds of mutual possibilities to learn and grow with people in my experience – this weekend I have prayed with/for people who are struggling with ‘deep shit’ in such a way that I know these have been ordained encounters with people who would not darken the door of churches but who have been reaching out for God 100% and seem to have been placed in my ‘way’ to hear my own hesitant and fragile stories of touching the edges of God’s way in my own life.
I think the desperation that many evangelical Christians seem to feel for converts is about the insecurtity of their own belief system and that they feel more secure if others believe what they do. Having let go of this paradigm myself and in trying to embrace the God who is behind the ‘cloud of unknowing’ I find people more thirsty for the God that I am deeply in love with and willing to share – even if very apologetically and hesitantly!
Perhaps people need good questions instead of tacky cheap answers???
By: Dave on May 11, 2009
at 12:08 am
“hopefully, the more Christians engage in street prayer, good practice, valuing training and genuine concern will catch on more and more, and people will have positive encounters to be usefully remembered. I guess I think the key here is good, on-going, training” – yes I think so Sue – nice thought from Street Pastor training is that they suggest that people need to Belong before this impacts their Belief and Behaviour – often church wants it the other way round – eg you have to behave differently based on your Beliefs and then you can Belong… I find this both simple and radical… and exciting to be part of!
By: Dave on May 11, 2009
at 12:12 am
I really see God in Street Pastoring. When I first read about them (must’ve been way back in their infancy) something in my spririt jumped! Since then, I have seen it as a real move of Christians ‘getting out of their ivory towers’ and I feel that it sends a message to people out there that Christians are willing to get out of their comfortable churches and try. There is of course, always going to be ‘mistakes’ actually out there on the street with people especially since they are often lost and hurting: but as people become more experienced this should settle down. Mentoring and training as well as a frank, honest, dialogue about the (ongoing)issues – purpose?, guilt / internal conflict for not ‘preaching’ – between the pastors might alleviate some pressure points. Whatever happens, Jesus WAS compassion, mercy and love. I think street pastors are needed at other times – I wanted to reach out yesterday to a group of young people in a Lidl carpark in Kings Heath, Birmingham.
By: Leanne on May 11, 2009
at 8:07 am
I think it’s a really great way of revealing God to people. You don’t need to preach and convert to shine the light. At the end of the day if they were being too pushy no one would want to approach them when they really needed help.
Just being there to help out in a situation, as a volunteer, because you want to, shows God’s love to people. And that is what we are there do to. Does it always have to be under the banner of conversion? No it defiantly doesn’t, and it really doesn’t mean that it won’t lead to conversion later.
By: James on May 11, 2009
at 6:37 pm
Ok I hate how that last sentence reads. I think that “No it defiantly doesn’t, and it really doesn’t mean that it won’t lead to people coming to know God later” sounds better and says what I meant better as well.
By: James on May 11, 2009
at 9:11 pm
you got me thinking James -
after joining a church where some people made a consistant effort to show love to me, I began to realise I’d started to ’see’ God’s love for me in a tangible way
I now think we do need each other, in order to meet God.
I also think we are asked to keep showing love, despite the reactions others awake in us, sadly am not very good at doing it!
By: subo on May 11, 2009
at 9:15 pm
great comments everyone. Leanne I relate to your desire to reach out – I encountered two young men recently who I really felt needed God’s love – there is no way I will ever see them in church, it got me to wondering how we can connect with those who are on the fringes of society in every way: that is one of the brilliant things about street pastors – it goes to where people are. Dave, your comment re the ‘Belong, Believe, Behave ethos – that little motto has been really helpful to me in thinking about how we can reach out to the people who come to Rose Cottage. Its a much more natural order of things than demanding some kind of conformity before dialogue can begin!
‘I now think we do need each other, in order to meet God’ – Su, I tend to agree. I know people do meet God in isolation, and in some extraordinary circumstances. But I think for most people, most of the time, the way we encounter God is mediated by others – whether directly or just by virtue of being part of a community of believers. I know this is true for me. That thing about us being made in the image of God – we are like signposts for one another, aren’t we? And actually I think that even when we feel we are being a bit crap and not very loving, sometimes others see something of God in us that we don’t even see ourselves. That’s the give and take of community, we need to remind one another of the beauty within us all.
By: sanctuarybath on May 11, 2009
at 10:02 pm
Nice thoughts Leanne and James and Sue – expression that comes to my mind is ‘go into all the world and preach the gospel… and if necessary use words’ St. Francis of Assisi…
I love the way that ‘the message’ (version of bible) puts John 1 – ‘the word became flesh and blood and moved into the neighbourhood…’ and Jesus challenges his disciples (and us too I suspect!) by saying… ‘as the father sent me so I send you’ makes us part of the incarnation strategy in a way -fleshin God out!
By: Dave on May 11, 2009
at 10:11 pm
By the way Su, Clare, James, Leanne – have you read ‘the Shack’ – it is strong on the concept of the centrality of relationships as revelation of God. The book is not everyone’s ‘cup of tea’ (I wasn’t keen on the first half of the book) but it is well worth a look! nite nite!
By: Dave on May 11, 2009
at 10:14 pm
Hi Dave,
am reading the Shack, at first it was a real struggle, – mostly trying to find time to read, but having got into it over the last week or so, it’s blowing me away, it’s powerful stuff, and has in a mysterious way expanded my understanding of God
would love to spend some time discussing some of the ‘ideas’ he gets into
By: subo on May 12, 2009
at 1:20 pm
Hi Su – Re “would love to spend some time discussing some of the ‘ideas’ he gets into”
Yes please – perhaps a posting on this sanctuary site if that is ok? I was blown away by aspects of the book; loved the portrayal of God, found the process of ‘healing’ very interesting and was intrigued by a few of the theological ideas (eg re pre-determination and ‘all knowing god’ etc)
Here’s hoping!!
By: Dave on May 12, 2009
at 4:56 pm
Some great conversations- i love what you have written Dave. I find the verse ‘the word became flesh and blood and moved into the neighbourhood…’ so inspiring and challenging. What I love about the sound of the street pastors is the way it is about meeting people where they are, be that in the gutter! or outside the pub. A challenge for us is have we “moved into the neighbourhood”, what does that mean for us today?. Shane Claiborne in The Irresistible Revolution: Living as an Ordinary Radical really challenges us on this very issue. I guess one reason i am a chair of governors, as much as i dislike the role at times! is trying to be part of my community, to live alongside, to be part of the struggles of this community to cry with them ( and boy have there been many tears!) but also to laugh and celebrate with them too, and hopefully through all of that to be a positive witness, “fleshin God out!”.
By: soniamain on May 12, 2009
at 5:15 pm
be good to have a converstaion about the shack, I had such mixed thoughts and feeling about it- drove me mad, made me weep and at times made me cringe!
By: soniamain on May 12, 2009
at 5:16 pm
Nice one Sonia! All power to your elbow in the school – so important! Love the notion of ‘ordinary radical’! Like this Bakke quote too,
‘Urban Christian’ by Ray Bakke on page 76, “It is only in our rich Western countries that we have the luxury to divide two sides of a common coin – social action and evangelism. John Stott uses such images as the two belonging together like two blades of a pair of scissors or two wings of a bird. Christians who are still debating these priorities often miss the point that social action is not done in order to communicate the gospel, but as a sign or evidence that the gospel has already been received and acted upon. Social ministry is the loving service of Christians set free from sins and bondage by the risen Lord”
cheers – dave
ps – know what you mean re the shack!
By: Dave on May 12, 2009
at 5:26 pm
Enjoyed reading all the thoughts about Street Pastors and the bigger picture about how we share our faith.
I definitely think things are moving in the right direction, for us as Christians to be in the streets engaging with people in this way and showing that we care, not through words but through our actions.
I like to think each of us is a tiny part of the wider picture of how God engages with individuals (links a chain idea). I often feel very inadequate but I think the main thing is to step out and ask him to show us who to talk to, then trust him to do the rest – he’s pretty good at that and I think we’d be amazed at how much God is already touching people’s lives without particular need for our words.
I’ve just come back from a short retreat, straight out on a night with the Street Pastors. I had ringing in my ears the story from the retreat centre, deep in rural Pembrokeshire….
The new director was agonising over whether he’d made a mistake giving up a very evangelical ministry with local business people, to be cloistered up in a centre for Christians. In desparation he told God how he felt, then suddenly complete strangers started appearing at the door of the centre, asking what it was all about. He found himself giving cups of tea and little guided tours of the centre to couples who said “we don’t understand it – something made us turn up your drive!” Most didn’t know if they even believed there was a God, but as each tour ended in the tiny chapel, the director just asked if they would like him to pray for God to bless them. Again and again, they would say “yes please” and invariably the couple would have an encounter with God, often breaking down in tears. Apart from a simple prayer of blessing no message was given, quite the opposite – each time, the director was prompted to quietly close the chapel door and just let God to speak to them. An hour or so later they’d appear at his door, profusely thankful for having met with an amazing God who loved them!
cheers – Graham
By: Graham on May 12, 2009
at 10:33 pm
what a great and moving story Graham – nice one – ps – what a great Street Pastor you are too! shalom – dave
By: Dave on May 12, 2009
at 10:49 pm
Su – re ’street prayer’ – was in a church in Liverpool that had a great idea – they had visited every shop/business/institution in their neighbourhood and taken photo of key people (head teacher, shop owner, youth worker, night club manager, Drs, nurses, lollipop lady etc) and asked them what they would like the church to pray about – they then displayed their requests (with the photos) in church and got congregations to pray – simple but effective i thought!
By: Dave on May 13, 2009
at 8:32 am
thats fab, visual stuff really helps your praying, also thats quite something to let people know, ‘we want to pray for you, we know it’s difficult for everyone at the moment’…
also there’s something about building trust, openness, community, understanding, empathy, togetherness …..
am wondering what a ’southern’ version might be, Brissol is so crammed with chain stores you’d have quite a walk to find little shops in the centre, and also i don’t belong to a very large church, there’s a strong arts trad. in Brissol – maybe there’s a bit of scope there.
By: subo on May 13, 2009
at 9:06 am
The church in Liverpool included bigger stores – they asked the managers – perhaps a street at a time would work in Bristol? Love the art idea – church on Bristol Rd in Bath had an art exhibition one Sunday (cancelled the service!!) for local artists and was very well attended – mission imagination!
By: Dave on May 13, 2009
at 9:28 am
have to admit, I’d like to take part in an Art Instillation in the streets
I once stumbled into an Art Instillation in the Centre of Bristol, where an Artist was having a Tea Party, making Tea and asking people if they’d like to sit down and join in, all the artists were dressed up with pinny’s
I could imagine a colourful/psychodelic ‘Pilgrims Shrine’, where you could drink the water, and place your prayers into the wall, done in a way that invites people to consider the spiritual dimension of life, or just bring their situations to God
By: subo on May 13, 2009
at 8:58 pm
Su – tell me when and where you do it and I will be there – sounds Brill !!
By: Dave on May 13, 2009
at 10:44 pm
thanks for the affirmation Dave, at the minute am just praying for a new job, as don’t seem to even be able to get to stuff i want to, let alone chip in with more stuff
By: subo on May 17, 2009
at 1:37 pm