by PHIL KERR
Is SHOWMANSHIP
Legitimate?
er use whatever means he finds appropriate and let not other fish ermen stand around arguing over the respective merits of various methods. Get to fishing, brethren! It becomes wearisome to hear so many oft-repeated complaints, “ I don’t approve of ‘sensational adver tising’ or the exalting of talented personalities! I object to rhythmic music and religious films and ap plause! I think evangelists make too much money! I don’t think they should use humor or ‘death-bed stories,’ or copy worldly methods or tell their ‘lurid life stories!’ I object to ‘ballyhoo’ and ‘showmanship’ in religion; if people want to be enter tained they can go to a show!” And so on. Perhaps it would be helpful to discuss some of these criticisms, bearing in mind that we are not referring to services of worship or to the relationship between the pastor and his flock. We are dealing definitely with the ministry of evangelism. Let us consider the question of so-called sensational advertising and the exalting of personalities. It all depends on how much bait is neces sary to attract the attention of the man who is not reached through normal church channels. Perhaps he particularly enjoys music or sports and would be inter ested to learn of an outstanding artist or athlete who was to parti cipate in a certain program. Steady now. Be patient. Maybe the bait will arouse interest and the pros pect will be attracted to the gospel service (or to his TV screen or radio set or whatever). A bout the A uthor Phil Kerr is a widely traveled musical evangelist. He has written over 3,000 choruses and 200 gospel hymns including "In Love With the Lover of my Soul," "Melody Divine" and "W h y Should I Care if the Sun Doesn't Shine?"
Or perhaps he is concerned about current events and would be inter ested to know of someone’s plan to discuss world happenings in the light of Scripture. Or perhaps he is wary of revival meetings and “altar calls,” but possibly might be per suaded to attend an all-musical gos pel program with the promise of no preaching. This “perhaps” list could be ex tended indefinitely . . . there are countless channels to the human heart. Whatever the bait that is used, it becomes the fisherman’s responsi bility to capture the prospect’s at tention and then by some means to transfer that attention to Christ. Otherwise the effort is pointless. But someone remarks that people shouldn’t come to church to be entertained or to hear a certain per sonality; they should come to learn about Christ. Correct. However, remember that we are dealing with unregenerate people who have not become aware of their need of Christ. Aren’t they the very ones we are trying to reach? And a word to those who believe that personality should not be fea tured or advertised in glowing terms. If s ome on e has natural charm and talent, if he has acquired skills through years of preparation and then has become a Christian, why can’t these valuable attributes be amplified and divinely ener gized? He who insists upon being “ hid behind the cross” and “ seeing no man save Jesus only” is correct, of course. But is he not also aware of scriptural injunctions against those who bury their talents rather than allowing them ‘to be divinely utilized? Should not the possessor of talent and personality dedicate these priceless attributes to the Lord rather than smother them in pseudo piety? Some years ago a famed musician accepted Christ as his Saviour in
Cheepherding and fishing are sep a r a t e ministries. The techniques involved are distinctly different. Each is important. How regrettable that fishermen and shepherds some times misunderstand each other’s methods and motives! . The same Lord who commis sioned Peter to “ feed my sheep” also instructed him in the art of fishing . . . and in the same chapter! (John 21.) Even earlier, He had said to Peter and Andrew, “ . . . I will make you fishers of men” (Matt. 4:19). Perhaps it is an oversimplifica tion to say that it is a pastor’s job to feed the sheep and an evange list’s job to go fishing for the souls of men. But it is important to note the scriptural statement, “ some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers” (Eph. 4:11). Apparently this distinction was not noticed by a pastor who asked in a recent magazine article, “Why import a professional evangelist? Why not he your own evangelist? Dispense with the expense and flam boyant sensationalism and high- pressure methods that are frequent ly associated with evangelism.” Christians sometimes will agree with that statement but there are deeper principles involved. Admit tedly there have been flagrant ex amples of unwise and insincere “ fishing” but has not this also been true in every other realm of life? Is it fair to indict all evangelists because of a few who misused their ministry? Perhaps it would be more gra cious to change the phrase “ flam boyant sensationalism” to “ a sin cere effort to capture the attention of otherwise unreached multitudes and to focus that attention upon Christ.” As Paul said, “ By all means, save some.” By all means! Let every sincere Christian work
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