I was walking through the “quad” at Texas State San Marcos a few days ago and witnessed something that bothered me. First let me explain that the “quad” is where all of the students may gather and talk, protest, or recruit for the various campus organizations among other things. I have seen everything from fraternity and sorority recruiting to anti war activist there. A few days ago though I saw three people in three piece suits, spit shined shoes and hair slicked back with what I assume was Brylcreem. One of them was holding a rather large bible over his head and was, (to the best of my ability to describe it), ranting.
At first I thought that a group of students were mocking, or presenting a caricature of what they thought street preachers would be like, but, no, these guys were for real. When I realized that this was not some sort of a skit I looked around to see how the kids were reacting. While I was there at least the kids just ignored them. It was like the street preachers did not exist.
After watching for a few moments I continued on to where I was going to. As I walked away I wondered how much damage the street preachers were doing. I’m sure that their intentions were good, but … I think that the saddest thing was that the “preachers” just did not seem real. They were just too much of a stereotype. And they did not talk to the kids they talked at them. It was just sad.
I don’t mean to be judgmental about this I just wonder if there could have been a more effective way to present Christ than that.
