Catholic Street Evangelization

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mphill85 said:
Today, both in the morning and in the afternoon, I gave a co-worker of mine a ride to and from work. The route I took had me going around a corner where this one individual stood there with a sign about Hell and that being a destination for those who do not repent or believe. I asked my co-worker about this individual and he told me that he would stand out there for almost the entire day. And he would be out there most of the week if I remembered correctly.

I’ve been back to the church for only 3-4 months, and while that means I’m not exactly Catholic-smart, what this individual was doing felt wrong in my heart. In my opinion, this aggressive approach would have a negative impact on those who would be thinking about becoming a Christian. To me what this individual is saying, though I have no clue what truly motivates his preaching, is convert or burn. It almost makes it sound like you have to be a Christian.

And it’s not just this individual I’ve seen. Pictures I’ve seen of other such preachers, videos and such about the Westboro Baptist Church’s many protests also in my opinion through Christianity into a negative spotlight. Again, while yes they are trying to prove a valid point, they are mainly preaching the eternal punishment. I do not think I’ve ever seen anyone take to the sidewalk corners with a sign that says the simplest thing: “Jesus loves you.” Its almost like “hell” this and “damnation” that which dominate that kind of preaching.

I guess I wrote this thread to see how other people feel about such preaching. And please, again with me not being Catholic-smart, tell me if I crossed a line or such that may require a confession or two. I don’t feel like I have but rather be safe than sorry…

God bless you… :signofcross:
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This is an area where we are letting oportunities go by. It isn’t the best idea to just throw
something out there, but this is an area that is terribly neglected. I believe we have
catholic people who are extremely talented at communications and have extrodinary
attactive personalities who could do some outstanding work for Christ in this area. It is
not always the answers given, but the way of the person who is giving the answers.
So much seed is not being sown.
 
mphill85 said:
Today, both in the morning and in the afternoon, I gave a co-worker of mine a ride to and from work. The route I took had me going around a corner where this one individual stood there with a sign about Hell and that being a destination for those who do not repent or believe. I asked my co-worker about this individual and he told me that he would stand out there for almost the entire day. And he would be out there most of the week if I remembered correctly.

I’ve been back to the church for only 3-4 months, and while that means I’m not exactly Catholic-smart, what this individual was doing felt wrong in my heart. In my opinion, this aggressive approach would have a negative impact on those who would be thinking about becoming a Christian. To me what this individual is saying, though I have no clue what truly motivates his preaching, is convert or burn. It almost makes it sound like you have to be a Christian.

And it’s not just this individual I’ve seen. Pictures I’ve seen of other such preachers, videos and such about the Westboro Baptist Church’s many protests also in my opinion through Christianity into a negative spotlight. Again, while yes they are trying to prove a valid point, they are mainly preaching the eternal punishment. I do not think I’ve ever seen anyone take to the sidewalk corners with a sign that says the simplest thing: “Jesus loves you.” Its almost like “hell” this and “damnation” that which dominate that kind of preaching.

I guess I wrote this thread to see how other people feel about such preaching. And please, again with me not being Catholic-smart, tell me if I crossed a line or such that may require a confession or two. I don’t feel like I have but rather be safe than sorry…

God bless you… :signofcross:
Click to expand...
Jesus put christianity in a negative light by teaching more about Hell then any other subject.
Code: 
          Matt. 5:22 - "guilty enough to go into hell of fire"
          Matt. 5:29 - "your whole body to be thrown into hell"
          Matt. 5:30 - "your whole body to be thrown into hell"
          Matt. 10:28 - "fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell"
          Matt. 18:9 - "to be cast into the hell of fire"
          Matt. 23:15 - "Pharisees..twice as much a son of hell as yourselves"
          Matt. 23:33 - "how shall you escape the sentence of hell"
          Mk. 9:43 - "to go into hell...unquenchable fire"
          Mk. 9:45 - "to be cast into hell"
          Mk. 9:47 - "to be cast into hell"
          James 3:6 - "tongue...is set on fire by hell"
So, who are we to ignore that fact???
 
where does scripture say that God has “written the law of love on our hearts.”???
 
TBolt1000T said:
I’ve been watching quite a fiew videos of Protestant street preachers. I don’t like most of their methods of evangelizing, but I’ve taken up a little interest in street preaching. Are there any Catholic street preaching ministries? If so, what are their methods of evangelism? Are there any videos of any Catholic street preachers online? In order to be a Catholic street preacher, would one need the approval of a local bishop? What kind of training would one need?
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You should really check out the Catholic group called Tradition, Family, & Property (TFP). They are the best Catholic “street preachers” I have ever seen, and they know their stuff!

From a real conversation at 1 min. 20 sec. into one of their videos: “Why is natural law and homosexuality relative? It’s completely self-evident.”
“You want me to become a relativist. I don’t want to become a relativist.”
“No, I don’t even agree with the fact that you’re saying I’m a relativist.”
“So you’re relatively relativist?”
“Yeah.”(Cf. Searle’s “Refutation of Relativism.”)

They are out on the front lines fighting the “dictatorship of relativism”!
 
You should really check out the Catholic group called Tradition, Family, & Property (TFP). They are the best Catholic “street preachers” I have ever seen, and they know their stuff!

From a real conversation at 1 min. 20 sec. into one of their videos: “Why is natural law and homosexuality relative? It’s completely self-evident.”
“You want me to become a relativist. I don’t want to become a relativist.”
“No, I don’t even agree with the fact that you’re saying I’m a relativist.”
“So you’re relatively relativist?”
“Yeah.”(Cf. Searle’s “Refutation of Relativism.”)

They are out on the front lines fighting the “dictatorship of relativism”!
 
mphill85 said:
Today, both in the morning and in the afternoon, I gave a co-worker of mine a ride to and from work. The route I took had me going around a corner where this one individual stood there with a sign about Hell and that being a destination for those who do not repent or believe. I asked my co-worker about this individual and he told me that he would stand out there for almost the entire day. And he would be out there most of the week if I remembered correctly.

I’ve been back to the church for only 3-4 months, and while that means I’m not exactly Catholic-smart, what this individual was doing felt wrong in my heart. In my opinion, this aggressive approach would have a negative impact on those who would be thinking about becoming a Christian. To me what this individual is saying, though I have no clue what truly motivates his preaching, is convert or burn. It almost makes it sound like you have to be a Christian.

And it’s not just this individual I’ve seen. Pictures I’ve seen of other such preachers, videos and such about the Westboro Baptist Church’s many protests also in my opinion through Christianity into a negative spotlight. Again, while yes they are trying to prove a valid point, they are mainly preaching the eternal punishment. I do not think I’ve ever seen anyone take to the sidewalk corners with a sign that says the simplest thing: “Jesus loves you.” Its almost like “hell” this and “damnation” that which dominate that kind of preaching.

I guess I wrote this thread to see how other people feel about such preaching. And please, again with me not being Catholic-smart, tell me if I crossed a line or such that may require a confession or two. I don’t feel like I have but rather be safe than sorry…

God bless you… :signofcross:
Click to expand...
Read about Frank Sheed. He did street corner preaching the best way I have ever heard about, and he is an awesome theologian and writer.
 
I live in Halifax, Nova Scotia Canada. There are people that do the same thing here. Not on a regular basis but every once in a while they are a group of young men that stand outside the Halifax Public Gardens handing out very graphic brochures and hold very graphic pictures with fake blood on them. It’s creepy.
 
jazzy0710 said:
I live in Halifax, Nova Scotia Canada. There are people that do the same thing here. Not on a regular basis but every once in a while they are a group of young men that stand outside the Halifax Public Gardens handing out very graphic brochures and hold very graphic pictures with fake blood on them. It’s creepy.
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Too cold up there to get a regular batch of street preachers I would guess. 😉
 
fred_conty said:
This is an area where we are letting oportunities go by. It isn’t the best idea to just throw
something out there, but this is an area that is terribly neglected. I believe we have
catholic people who are extremely talented at communications and have extrodinary
attactive personalities who could do some outstanding work for Christ in this area. It is
not always the answers given, but the way of the person who is giving the answers.
So much seed is not being sown.
Click to expand...
From my experience watching street-preacher antics on YouTube, any and all amount of “extraordinary attractive personalities” die immediately once once decides to engage in such practices.
 
mphill85 said:
Today, both in the morning and in the afternoon, I gave a co-worker of mine a ride to and from work. The route I took had me going around a corner where this one individual stood there with a sign about Hell and that being a destination for those who do not repent or believe. I asked my co-worker about this individual and he told me that he would stand out there for almost the entire day. And he would be out there most of the week if I remembered correctly.

I’ve been back to the church for only 3-4 months, and while that means I’m not exactly Catholic-smart, what this individual was doing felt wrong in my heart. In my opinion, this aggressive approach would have a negative impact on those who would be thinking about becoming a Christian. To me what this individual is saying, though I have no clue what truly motivates his preaching, is convert or burn. It almost makes it sound like you have to be a Christian.

And it’s not just this individual I’ve seen. Pictures I’ve seen of other such preachers, videos and such about the Westboro Baptist Church’s many protests also in my opinion through Christianity into a negative spotlight. Again, while yes they are trying to prove a valid point, they are mainly preaching the eternal punishment. I do not think I’ve ever seen anyone take to the sidewalk corners with a sign that says the simplest thing: “Jesus loves you.” Its almost like “hell” this and “damnation” that which dominate that kind of preaching.

I guess I wrote this thread to see how other people feel about such preaching. And please, again with me not being Catholic-smart, tell me if I crossed a line or such that may require a confession or two. I don’t feel like I have but rather be safe than sorry…

God bless you… :signofcross:
Click to expand...
This is really no different than Isaiah walking around naked for three years. Use him as a conversation starter on how to go to heaven.
 
Hi

The Catholic Evidence Guild will be in Washington SQ. Park in NYC today between 1-4pm. Anyone who is in the NYC area please come by and listen to our speakers, take a tract or two or help hand out tracts or consider joining the Guild. We are always looking for new members.

Two weeks ago the Occupy Wall Street crowd came to the park and we drew a great deal of attention. Many people voice their opion on the Church’s stance on homosexuals and their life style, sex abuse scandal, tax exempt status of the Church, the divinity of Christ, reliability of the Gospel and the Holy Trinity. I could go on and on but I think you understand . It was truly a wonderful experience and I hope we as the Guild planted a few seeds within their hearts.

Please Pray for the Guild today.
Bobbymac.
 
bobbymac said:
Hi

The Catholic Evidence Guild will be in Washington SQ. Park in NYC today between 1-4pm. Anyone who is in the NYC area please come by and listen to our speakers, take a tract or two or help hand out tracts or consider joining the Guild. We are always looking for new members.

Two weeks ago the Occupy Wall Street crowd came to the park and we drew a great deal of attention. Many people voice their opion on the Church’s stance on homosexuals and their life style, sex abuse scandal, tax exempt status of the Church, the divinity of Christ, reliability of the Gospel and the Holy Trinity. I could go on and on but I think you understand . It was truly a wonderful experience and I hope we as the Guild planted a few seeds within their hearts.

Please Pray for the Guild today.
Bobbymac.
Click to expand...
Oh man. I wish I knew of this before. I would surely help hand out tracts as long as the tracts are not on the church’s stance on homosexuals, etc. That is not going to draw people to you, but cause them to roll their eyes.

I will pray for the guild and please feel free to post or PM me with more information on the Guild if you have time. 🙂
 
Just thought I would share my most recent apostolate. Catholic Street Evangelization. It went fantastic. We found a spot, set up a sign and the people came to us. For more information look at our facebook page: facebook.com/CatholicStreetEvangelization

God was really moving. If you would like to join us, like us on facebook
 
Thank you so much. People are real excited around here about this idea. If anyone knows of some good places to get free literature (or cheap literature) or someone wants to donate some, let us know. God bless!
 
I’d do this in your shoes: here’s a good pamphlet I’m familiar with (I have a copy):

shop.catholic.com/product.php?productid=16440

If you buy it in quantity it’s pretty cheap. Next, contact parishes in your area & find out who the Grand Knights are for their Knight of Columbus councils. Call them & explain what you do, that you’d like $140 to get 200 copies of the pamphlet which they can check out online if they want to. Email them your FB page, tell them you’re willing to speak to the council in person. They might even just buy the pamphlets themselves & deliver them to you.

After you’ve had some experience using the pamphlets, you’d want to contact the council(s) that helped you, and describe how they helped with your New Evangelization efforts, & offer to come speak to them about it. KofC raises money to do stuff like this, so if y’all show you’re making a difference, you may be able to get regular support from more than a single council.
 
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