In 2013, I wrote a book titled: Should She Preach–Biblical Evangelism for Women (One Million Tracts). The description of the book for the Kindle version includes this plea from me:
“The question I believe I biblically answer in ‘Should she preach?’ is should a Christian woman preach the gospel in the open air, in the public square? If not, to what extent should a Christian woman involve herself in public evangelism? If your answer to the questions is, ‘What difference does it make? Whether a Christian is a man or woman shouldn’t matter,’ then you are not thinking biblically. If your answer to the questions is, ‘Evangelizing on the streets, in any manner, is no place for a Christian woman,’ then you are not thinking biblically. To my sisters in Christ who will read this book: I love you. I want God’s very best for you. I want you to serve Christ Jesus our King to the best of your ability, through the unique Holy Spirit-enabled gifting He has assigned to you. And I want you to evangelistically serve Him—in the church, at home, at work, at school, and on the streets—with great joy. And I want to help you in this last area, your evangelistic service to Him, with my whole heart. I ask that you not judge this book by its cover. At the same time, I ask that you do not, please do not, read this book with an open mind. Read this book with an open Bible. I hope the presupposition you bring to this book and everything else you read is a simple one: ‘The Bible is true regardless of what I think or believe. I can be wrong; Tony can be wrong; but the Word of God is never wrong.’ So, read this book to the very end with an eye on the Scriptures, with humility of mind, with a prayerful heart, while desiring to be conformed to the image of God’s Son—Jesus Christ, the Lord.”
Some read the book with the above in mind and came to the same conclusions I did regarding women preaching in the open-air. Others read the book and vehemently disagreed. Some have challenged me to debate the topic, thinking I somehow owe them a further explanation beyond the case I made in the book. They should write their own books. Still others had negative, visceral feelings about the book and determined the work was of the devil, before the book was written. I doubt some of these folks ever read the book.
In the book, I make the biblical case that women preaching in the open-air is contrary to God’s intended design for women, is contrary to God’s intended roles for women within the Body of Christ, and is the antithesis of God’s desired demeanor for women–a gentle and quiet spirit.
I decided to post the following video because I believe it is a striking illustration of my argument.
Some, in an effort to dismiss my argument, might say, “Tony, you went and found the worst possible example of a woman preaching in the open-air in order to poison the well in favor of your argument.” Not true. First: I didn’t have to search for this video. In a sense, the lady and her group came to me. And, for the record, there are worse examples than what you are about to see. Second: I personally know Christian women, dear sisters in Christ, who would not preach like this woman. I understand this woman is a caricature of a female open-air preacher. Just as there are many men on the streets today who are bad representations of male open-air preachers–men like this, and this, and this, and this. So, I’m not saying that every woman who preaches in the open-air behaves like the woman in the following video.
I do not know the woman in the video. I do not know her name. She stated she has been married for 17 years, so I know that about her. I do not know if her husband was part of the team. I do not know if the woman subscribes to any of the false doctrines that have shipwrecked the faith of so many errant open-air preachers these days. I do not know her personal testimony of salvation. I do not know if she is or isn’t my sister in Christ. I know virtually nothing about her.
However, I don’t need to know anything beyond what I heard her say and how she said it to know with biblical certainty that she should not be preaching in the open-air. I don’t need to know anything beyond the fact that she was a woman preaching in the open-air to assert she should not be engaged in the activity.
Again, my argument against women preaching in the open-air is that it is contrary to God’s intended design for women, it is contrary to God’s intended role for women within the Body of Christ, and it is antithetical to God’s desired demeanor for women–a gentle and quiet spirit.
Even if one disagrees with the first two points in my argument, I challenge any Christian to explain how what you’re about to see is in keeping with what God tells us in 1 Peter 3:4, which reads:
“But let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.”
It simply cannot be done.
Oh the irony. I wonder who was making her home while she was preaching…
It seems that those with a romanticized view —as opposed to a Biblical view–of preaching defend the idea of women preaching.
It seems, anyway.
Look for pushback from the usual suspects.
Lol….I’m sure her family is very relieved for her to be gone so they can have a little peace….lol….”clean your room kids!” I hope she doesn’t use the bullhorn at home lol…I’m all for women having their role in Jesus Christ doing it his way….it’s not inequality it’s different roles we play that’s all….we as women should love our position the Lord gave us
Wow, she’s loud….and sounds hateful. No wonder people passing by are laughing at her.
So if men won’t do this, then what? This isn’t church or our brothers & sisters in Christ, , or our homes.. I’m not saying she’s doing it properly, but men have been slacking in their position, and many women are having to step up and do what men aren’t doing..
Sorry. Men not living up to their obligations to preach the gospel in the open-air cannot be used as an excuse for women to do that which God has not called them to do. Scripture is the authority. Circumstances and desires are not.
So if God has called me to hold up a sign in the street for months and I finally did. And I plan to continue to do so as he leads me, you are saying not to listen to God? Not to do as he has been putting on my heart to do? If you say I’m forbidden will you take the responsibility of not allow me to, and the people God wanted me to reach,ceasing bc you say I can’t. Know that your words and telling people they can and can not do things for the kingdom of God hold very big responsibility. I understand Paul was speaking about being a leader pastor but street evangelism is not a pastor role, but proclaiming the gospel as he says ALL shall spread the gospel. Not Men only but all followers whom follow God. I’m not someone’s pastor by speaking the gospel in the street, I do not mentor them, disciple them, baptise them, etc as a leader/pastor role does. I plant a seed (sharing the gospel) then they will be harvested and baptise etc by a pastor leader in the future.
Your argument is rife with straw men.
That you have a desire to hold a sign in the street for months is not God calling you to hold a sign. You have a desire to do evangelism in that way. That’s fine. Nothing wrong with that. But God didn’t tell you to go hold a sign.
Your desire to open-air preach is not biblical. God will not bless your effort. Communicate Christ to people through one-to-one conversations and the distribution of gospel tracts, and be content. Be content with the gentle and quiet spirit God desires for you.
Hi, I’d like posting of scriptures in where it says exactly, what our roles as men in women are in the body of Christ. I’m struggling with the fact of why women shouldn’t preach. I learned about Amy Simple McPherson; she started as a street evangelist, and became a preacher of her own church; preaching the four square gospel. Is it biblically or traditionally wrong, and if yes how so and where in scripture does it say exactly just that?
Tidda,
I have written a book on the subject. It is titled: “Should She Preach–Biblical Evangelism for Women.”
Here’s the link: https://www.amazon.com/Should-She-Preach-Biblical-Evangelism-ebook/dp/B00FL1WFK6
Tonight the Lord directed to turn and face the opposite way to a woman preaching on the street. I am not sure if this is because he disagrees with all women preaching on the street, or just this particular one, or if it was something to do with the circumstances. It does not seem to foster a gentle and quiet spirit for a woman to preach on the streets. But, then again, surely there are times when it is good for a woman to shout out and make loud noises (like when she is giving birth). I am not 100% certain on this matter at the moment and am awaiting the full revelation of the Lord. I know some Old Testament passages that may have relevance. May the Lord bring a clear revelation on this matter to all believers.
1 Corinthian 14:34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience as also saith the law.
35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.
1 Timothy 2:12, “But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet.” On its face, this may seem a sexist position. Why can’t women teach? Aren’t they as knowledgeable as men? Aren’t they as smart? This line of thinking takes the passage out of context, though.
Genesis 21:12. However, since the authority falls to the man, it is he who will be held accountable for improper decisions, such as also happened to Abraham when he followed bad advice from Sarah in Genesis 16.
1 Timothy 3:1-7 qualifications for a preacher.