Not all cities allow amplified sound to be used in front of abortion centers. Local ordinances differ regarding the use of amplified sound. Your local city council, office of the mayor, or police department can clarify if there are sound regulations in your area. If amplified sound is allowed, the use of a microphone and speaker in front of abortion centers is invaluable. Because it is heard over a large distance, it is very important that anyone involved in sidewalk ministry use amplified sound with wisdom and discernment. The purpose of this article is to help define what the wise use of amplified sound should look like.
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear (Ephesians 4:29).
Purpose
The major purpose of amplified sound is to broadcast a vital message to the target audience (mostly abortion-determined moms) such that they can hear the counselor from a distance. This can and often does include sound being amplified to reach moms inside the abortion center. Because it is possible to speak in a normal volume/tone of voice using a microphone, it is easer for a sidewalk counselor to convey a message without screaming or sounding aggressively loud.
Reasons to use amplified sound
If a pro-abortion crowd is attempting to drown out the voices of sidewalk counselors through shouting or loud instruments or noise-makers, the mic is a critical tool in order to be heard at all. Sometimes, the sidewalk counselors have to stand a long distance from the abortion center entry. The mic again allows them to speak to the women entering and to be heard. If the mic broadcasts such that women inside the building can hear the counselors, valuable truths can be spoken for greater lengths of time, and, most importantly, at the critical moments right before the abortion.
Results of using amplified sound
Many women who have chosen life have told us that the reason they changed their minds from abortion is they heard someone say something that convicted them over the mic. Some are praying that they will see or hear a sign from God. Many are conflicted, and the amplified words they hear inside the abortion center are often in stark contrast to the sense of evil and dread they feel around them.
It is very important to note there can also be negative results. Oftentimes, unintended audiences also hear the amplified sound and can be aggravated. That would include nearby businesses or neighborhoods. This can also be a positive if it stirs them to awareness and anger over the presence of the abortion center in their community; but it is important to try to direct the sound in such a way that it primarily impacts those whom one intends to impact: the abortion-determined mothers.
Key Things NOT to Say Over the Mic
Do NOT dishonor God: The microphone is not the tool to insult, call names, disparage, or condemn anyone. It is important to remember it is likely the opposition will be recording what is said on the mic because it is so intrusive. Every word should be considered and we should be above reproach in what we say and how we say it.
Do not speak any untruths: Make sure any facts or statements made on the mic are accurate. Falsehoods, whether intended or not, damage the totality of the message. They can discredit not only the speaker, but the entire ministry.
Stick mostly to the three talking points: It is easy to get distracted and off message. I often suggest new speakers write down what they want to say and read or use those notes to guide them. If we start rambling at a loud decibel, we are likely to do more harm than good.
The same three talking points we urge people to use when calling out with just their voice are key on the mic as well. Those three talking points are: what God says about abortion and that baby, the humanity of the baby, and the resources available.
Some people on the mic want to get into discussions of history, politics, eschatology, exhorting or condemning other Christians who are doing it all wrong, or not there at all, lambasting the proabortion crowd … DO NOT do this. In front of an abortion center is not the time or place for this. A baby is about to die. Keep that focus.
Do not use inflammatory words if at all possible. Because your message will be heard by everyone nearby, and is loud, it is important that your words do not inflame already inflamed passions. Speak truth, but do so in a manner that is winsome whenever possible.
Keep the target audience in mind
The intended audience are the mothers and possibly fathers of the baby. This should be the focus of your speaking. There are always other people present on the sidewalk and nearby. Sometimes it is tempting to address them, especially if they are in opposition to your work. In most cases, this is not helpful. It is best to speak to the women there to kill their children in a manner that will help them choose to leave the abortion center and hopefully come talk with you privately.
Speak no more than a few minutes at a time
We all tend to tune out a constant noise. Talking on the mic for extended periods can become background noise. The longer we talk, sometimes the less people listen. Have long periods of time between speaking. This allows people to process what has already been said. It also allows the speech to be a novel stimulus and more likely to make the listener pause in her tracks.
Be careful not to drone on or shout
Using excitement and expressive tonal variation is important. If we speak in a monotone voice, our listeners will be bored and tune us out. We also do not want to sound angry, condemning or overbearing. Just as we need to be loud enough to be heard, we don’t want to be so loud that we make people angry because the volume is angry or uncomfortable.
Share the Gospel SUCCINCTLY
As a Gospel-centered ministry, we definitely can and should use the mic to share the glorious truth of the Gospel. However, an extended or complicated discussion will not translate well in this crisis environment. It is best to practice a very concise Gospel summary in five or possibly as much as 10 minutes. Practice in front of a mirror. Practice sharing a five-minute Gospel presentation that covers the main points an an easily understood manner.
Always try to keep the message simple and direct
Complex theological discussions or nuanced statements will be lost in the crisis charged atmosphere of an abortion center. Your message should be quick, simple, and to the point. Keep sentences short. Keep thoughts clear. Pause to let important truths sink in. Speak slowly enough that you are easily followed but not so slowly as to bore the listener.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to speak through you
Prayer is so important before speaking on the mic. Ask the Holy Spirit to speak through you as clearly and convincingly as possible. Have your thoughts gathered and a clear idea of what you hope to say. You can still allow and discern the spirit’s prompting, but be aware of the danger of rambling on and on and on if you have not thought out the main points you want to make. Be aware of how long you have been speaking and try not to speak more than ten minutes at a time.
Be aware of clues that you can speak to
If I see a child in the back seat of the car of a mom pulling in to the parking lot, I will often use that to piggyback onto a discussion of the value of ALL human beings before God, born and unborn. If I see a church decal in the window, I might ask if the people pulling in love and worship God. Have they prayed about this? What do they think God would have them do? The clues are endless, so pay attention! When possible, as long as you can weave them into the three main talking points, use those clues to gain the interest of the moms walking in.
Be quiet when unamplified counselors are calling out
The unamplified voice is clearly more personal and relational. If a counselor can be heard and is calling out to a nearby mom, the person on the mic should be silent. Otherwise, all the mother will hear is noise.
Summary
The microphone is a powerful and useful tool. However, it is loud, and can be used in a way that prevents women from wanting to approach us. Following common sense and the pointers enumerated above can help us all to glean the best outcome from the use of amplified sound.
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