John-William Noble says the compassion and practical care of Street Pastors may well be worthy and commendable, but if they won't preach the gospel should we really call them pastors?
“Pastors won’t preach”. This was the headline in a recent article published by the Shetland Times. This headline concerned the launch of Street Pastors in Shetland; and the secular media wanted to stress the reassurances that there won’t be any preaching because Street Pastors are an “approachable and non-judgemental” team of Christian volunteers.
Street Pastors is an initiative which launched in the United Kingdom in 2003. It is designed to give practical support and care to people in need during nights out in cities. This work takes place during the night and early morning hours and relies upon volunteers from local churches to commit to serving at least once a month. There is much to commend about this work. There are also points of great contention to consider.
The Bible makes it clear that we are to show love and kindness to our neighbour. This is something which is explained in the parable of the Good Samaritan to a lawyer and the passage ends in Luke 10:36-37, ‘Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbour to the man who fell among the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.”’
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