Editing Open-air preaching (section)

==Middle Ages and Reformation==
Open-air preaching was used by [[mendicant orders]] in the [[High Middle Ages]] to initiate a renewal of religious fervor among [[Catholics]], and to fight heretical movements such as [[Catharism]] in southern France. Later, during the [[Protestant Reformation]], it was often employed by [[Protestants]] throughout [[Europe]]<ref>Spurgeon, p. 235</ref> who could not always preach inside churches, which were mostly [[Catholic]].<ref>Spurgeon, p 236</ref> Open-air preaching in [[Europe]] continued during the rise of [[Puritan]]ism and other Protestant movements.<ref name="Spurgeon"/> It was often used in [[Pastoral]] environments as well as in cities, the former sometimes due to a desire to avoid the authorities,<ref>Spurgeon, p. 241</ref> and the latter because, for one reason, it could reach eccentric people living in cities who would not otherwise hear the gospel.<ref>Spurgeon, p. 257</ref>