Stone the Preacher

I had a dilemma. The police had told us to stop preaching to the spectators at the Hollywood Santa Parade because, in their words, we were “scaring the kids.” They admitted that we had “free speech rights” even at the parade, but they were going to shut us down anyway. What should I, as the leader of the evangelism team do? (Read the beginning of this story here.)

Step 7: Lay down your rights. We would be well within our rights to challenge the officer’s decision; we were by their own admission not doing anything wrong. The Gospel needs to be preached to the perishing; a strong stand for the Lord would certainly be warranted, but in the end who would really win? Would Jesus Christ be glorified?

I thought about these issues:

1) If I fought, I would lose. Have you ever noticed that police officers rarely admit that they are wrong? Also, the fact that there were two or three other men in blue as back up emphasized to me that it wouldn’t be worth the struggle. Besides, guys with guns always win. Always. (Read the article “On Dealing with the Police.”)

The police officers were really very nice and friendly. They really were concerned with the “family atmosphere” of the parade, Julie Nudie aside. From their perspective I was causing an unnecessary disturbance. They were really asking me to do them a favor, a favor with the show of force.

2) If I argued, the parade spectators would see yet another obnoxious, hateful, arrogant, and belligerent Christian making a scene. All credibility would be lost as far as our witness was concerned.
I could just hear them say, “There goes another Jim Jones in handcuffs.”

3) If I demanded my rights I would violate Christ’s call to lay down my rights. This was the main reason why I did not resist. Look, this wasn’t big time persecution, this wasn’t red-hot-pokers-in-the-eye tribulation; this was just a minor inconvenience, an irritating turn of events. Christians are called to willingly lay down their rights and freedoms when violated, entrusting all to Him Who judges justly.

“Pastor Steve,” Alfy gently encouraged, “I think we should go.”

I concurred.

“I know you understand, sir,” the policeman said. “I hope you agree.”

“I understand Officer,” I replied, forcing a smile through clenched teeth, “but I don’t agree.” I opened my cell phone to call somebody. Who could I call? Ghostbusters? The police?

We packed up and left, mindful of the police presence behind us as we walked on.

I was so darned bugged, yet had no choice, really. This was good training for the time when real persecution would come. There will come a day in America when police officers will not be so courteous and nice. There will come a time when the crowds will not be so friendly and eager to hear our message. Soon Christians will be forbidden to speak in His name. Period. Until that time, though, we’ll continue to work.

Mindful that we were now marked men we cheerfuly resumed handing out tidings of comfort and joy— via Gospel tracts—until the L. Ron Hubbard float passed by.

I figured out the real issue. If I changed this one aspect of our outreach, I’m almost positive that we will have no more problems with the police. Read about it by clicking here for Part 4!

The best part of Pre-Parade Preaching are the crowds. Lots of people, happy people, expectant and excited, anticipating that the parade will start at any moment. I look at our evangelism efforts as the warm-up act, the pre-show. Think about it: There are thousands of organic congregations along the parade route. Why not preach to them? (Read Part 1 here!)

Step 5: Preach Power to the People. Find a large concentration of spectators. The best groups are at the bends in the parades, where the parade turns down a side street. Stand about 15 feet from the onlookers and just talk. Don’t shout, don’t wave an angry finger, and don’t hold a Bible (click here for the reason why you shouldn’t use a Bible). The people will be happy and smiling; you will be a delightful curiosity.

Step 6: Have an effective springboard for your sermon. At the Hollywood Santa Parade my springboard for the Gospel started like this: “Hello! Merry Christmas! Who knows the reason for this parade? Not Santa. It’s about Jesus and remembering His birth…” I then launch into the 10 Commandments, Judgment Day and yes, even Hell. When I ask “Has anyone ever lied?” people giggle and raise their hands or force Uncle Bob to raise his hand. After I ask “Has anyone ever stolen anything?” fingers point to Aunt Martha and the kids as everyone accuses everyone else of being thieves.

It’s great fun and nothing promotes the spirit of Christmas more than letting people know that they will be found guilty on Judgment Day as lying thieves and will spend eternity in Hell. Needless to say, the crowd gets very quiet at this point.

Of course, the point of my preaching is not to deliver the bad news only, but to deliver the wonderful Good News of why Jesus was born in a manger 2000 years ago: To save people from their sins! After telling people that they need to repent and trust in the Savior, smile, wave goodbye, and move another hundred feet down—then preach again! Over and over again.

Step 7: Expect persecution. Is the preaching easy? You bet. Effective? Absolutely. Remember that God’s Word never returns void; all you are required to do is preach the Word, in season, and in the Christmas season. Is there any risk? There most certainly is…. When the Gospel is preached there is always the danger of persecution, especially now in this new anti-Christian era in America.

During the second preaching session I gave my companion Alfy the microphone.

Everything was going just fine until he asked the crowd if they had ever hated anyone, “because the Bible calls hatred murder.” (During family events, we avoid the lust question.)

At that point in his sermon, an officer from the LAPD tapped on his shoulder. “I know you have free speech rights and everything, but you can’t be doing this; you’re scaring the kids by talking about murder.”

Did you get that folks? He knew we had “free speech rights and everything, but!“ In other words, “You have the right to speak freely, but I’m going to stop you!”

We had the right to remain silent.

The officer continued, “I’m a God-fearing man, but you can’t do this here!”

I intervened. “Sir, where are those kids going to go if they die right now in their sins?”

“Well, you know…” said the officer apologetically. “But in uniform, I’m a police officer.”

We had a dilemma. I battled it in my mind as I tried to reason with the officer, mindful that I was also surrounded by three or four others. What should I do? What could I do? What would Jesus do?

Find out what we did by reading Part 3 here!