Could you become a street pastor?
YOU might be forgiven for crossing the street to avoid a drink-fuelled argument in the city centre on a Saturday night.
But a new "street pastors" scheme is hoping to enlist an army of Good Samaritans who are willing to step up to the challenge of caring for those a little the worse for drink when the city centre's pubs and clubs are in full swing.
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The scheme is the dreamchild of Mike Pout, a 45-year-old IT consultant from St Anne's who wanted to put his own Christian convictions to a practical purpose.
The father-of-two, who has been a regular member of the congregation of the non-denominational Woodlands Church in Clifton for the last three years, first had the idea on a night out in Chepstow.
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"As I walked through the town I saw this group of people wearing distinctive blue uniforms with the words Street Pastor printed on them. I had never heard of street pastors, so I stopped and talked to them about what they do."
The Chepstow street pastors were one of around 250 similar groups, run through umbrella organisation, The Ascension Trust.
The Trust trains street pastors – who can come from any church denomination, but must be practising Christians – to be prepared to care for those made vulnerable by the excesses of drink and drugs.
"It can be as simple as carrying lots of pairs of flip-flops, cheap shoes that you can hand out to ladies who are regretting wearing impractical high heeled shoes after a night of dancing, or handing out bottles of water to people who are feeling a little dehydrated after a night of drinking heavily," Mike explains.
"Or it can be a matter of helping people who have drunk so much they're incapable of getting themselves safely home, or even stepping in when there is an altercation in the street to try to calm the situation.
"I thought it was such a brilliant idea, and I was amazed when I came home and did a little research to find out that we didn't have a street pastors scheme here in Bristol – although there are neighbouring ones in Kingswood and Weston-super- Mare. I decided somebody needed to set one up, then I realised that would have to be me."
More than 30 people have already signed up for the scheme, which was launched last night at the Council House alongside police and city council representatives, who are supporting the idea. Street pastors will take to the streets early next year, after six months' training. For details on getting involved, email Mike at bristol@streetpastors.org.uk.
Comments
by Craigthatsme
Sunday, October 07 2012, 8:08PM
“All of the decent people have left the church and these fundamentalist evangelicals are whats left!
I've heard stories of them targeting gay people in there search for salvation.
The Police/Council are breaking equality laws in supporting them.
And at the end of the day, why are they getting Police/Council support when the rest of us are having our (secular) library's and youth centre's taken away???”
by Pablo_Brown
Friday, September 28 2012, 1:48PM
“Why do you have to be a religious to do this – Newsflash, there are lots of nice out there people who are not religious!!!
Maybe I will start hanging around outside the Church and give them some advice about how they should be living their lives. I don't imagine it will be very well received though”
by ciderdog3
Friday, September 28 2012, 10:00AM
“I suppose it is a bit of a condescending approach in many ways, typical of the Bible Bashers but...
I don't actually think the motives of street pastors are that sinister at all, if they choose to bear witness to young people fornicating in public, vomiting in the gutter and beating each other to death in the street then that's about as close to what went on in the bible as they will ever get!
Sort of a throwback to the day's of Sodom and Gomorrah (just in Kingswood instead).
I am not a christian myself, but if one person (especially a vulnerable lone female) gets home safely and unharmed then it is commendable work.
And a free pair of fit flops...priceless!”
by avonside40
Friday, September 28 2012, 9:30AM
“I do think that the last thing you want if you're at the end of a heavy night and are "a bit tired and emotional" is to encounter a self righteous street pastor full of utter conviction. if they simply offered assistance then that would be fine, but I suspect that a little bit of evangelising/preaching might just sneak in there...”
by BristolianAli
Thursday, September 27 2012, 8:53PM
“Its great to see people offering practical kindness to other fellow Bristolians. Mike and team - you guys are part of what makes Bristol a great city to live in. Thanks.”
by ceembee
Thursday, September 27 2012, 8:26PM
“Drunk or sober I'd move off at great speed if accosted by such persons. There was a street pastor scheme in St Paul's a few years ago & it was very irritating having to deal with their sanctimonious approach & their attempts to make you pray with them.
I do hope this group publishes an itinery to make avoidance easy. The St Paul's group were easy to spot - they all wore yellow florescent jackets.”
by LongJohnson
Thursday, September 27 2012, 6:33PM
“'head in hands'”