Hi Everyone,

I'm scheduled to do my first Church at the Park event next week. Looks like I'm going to be doing a lot of walk around activity, and it will be my first time doing things like that for the general public, rather than in church or a nursing home. I'm worried about hecklers/rude people and wondering if some of you have some good advice or stories you could tell that will give me some idea of how to handle anything like this. I am supposed to have one of the security volunteers assigned to stay with me to help out. Thoughts?

I'm sure you won't have any problems, esp. with a security volunteer. I would say probably the best first plan of defense is to move away and don't engage with them if you get a person giving you some problems. Since you are not tied down to any particular area that shouldn't be a problem. Usually people will realize when they can't get your goat they give up and don't continue. Good luck with your event. I'm sure you will have the most fun ever with walk arounds. They are my favorite. Engaging with the crowd can be such a exhilarating experience.
Sara K.

The only time I have had problems with hecklers is when young teenage boys are trying to impress young teenage girls so they'll start whaling insults and stuff, this is when i fire them back and embarrass the crap out of them. it works pretty well and little kids love seeing their big brothers look like an idiot.. it's a win win.

PS.. I know i know clowns aren't supposed to make others look stupid. but you know, that's what the teenagers want is attention, so i give it to em. and my theory is, if they can dish it out, they better be able to take it..

Thank you both for your replies. What Knute described is pretty much exactly the type of thing I was worried about, but what Special K'z says about moving away makes sense. Though, I gotta say, Knute, I really want details now........:)