Meanwhile, we haggle over dif ferences, we disapprove of this, we object to that, we regard with apathy or jealousy the efforts of other fishermen. Priceless oppor tunities are being lost, talents re main unused, new methods and techniques are untried. If someone dares to initiate a new pattern of witnessing and new methods of ad vertising, he is quickly warned against “ ballyhoo” and accused of “ showmanship.” Isn’t it about time someone had the courage to arise and remark, “Well, what’s wrong with ballyhoo and showmanship if you’ve got something worth shouting about?” In this article we have been dis cussing only the human factor in the job of soul-winning. It is self- evident that the casting of bait must be preceded by earnest prayer and followed by “ thus saith the Lord.” The Spirit brings conviction, and conversion occurs through faith in the Word of God. The fisherman who does not operate under a min istry of prayer and is not prepared to point his prospect to Christ is obviously unqualified. Volumes have been written about the u n d e n i a b l e importance of prayer and preaching. In this brief article we have attempted only to discuss the oft ignored matter of luring the non-Christian within range of the gospel . . . by some means. The situation was succinctly ex pressed in a recent conversation with a close personal friend who advocates an abruptly point-blank a p p r o a c h , much different than mine. “We’re aiming for the same re sults,” said he, “ but in a different way. You wave a little perfume under the sinner’s nose; I slap him across the face with a wet towel!” Who is to say which method is best? Who is qualified to judge the other fellow’s sincerity and tech nique? Who can serve as score- keeper to evaluate accurately the worthwhileness of various minis tries? Meanwhile, with all our efforts, with all our churches, with all our varying methods, there are still untold millions who have not been reached by any of us! “ . . . by all means save some.” Get to fishing, brethren! END.
due season we shall reap. . . .” Never consider an effort in vain simply because results are not im mediately visible. For example, none will deny the effectiveness of a s k i l l f u l l y dis played gospel billboard alongside a busy highway but did you ever see a motorist alight from his car and kneel in prayer? Similarly, an all musical gospel service cannot al ways be expected to yield visible rewards but “ don’t add up the score till the game is over!” There’s often a lapse of time be tween the witnessing and the reap ing, and sometimes eternity alone will reveal the fruitfulness of cer tain ministries. “He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” Definitely noticeable is the cur rent trend toward a standardized form of evangelistic effort. Because God’s evident blessings have been upon the tremendous ministry of Billy Graham, it has become com mon to hear other sold winners’ methods minimized if they are dif ferent in any way. A similar situa tion existed during the ministry of Billy Sunday. “ Billy did it this way; Billy didn’t do it that way,” and so on. We frown upon independent evangelistic efforts, upon preachers who go into a community unin vited, yet surely we are aware of the fact that many of our great churches and great denominations had their beginnings in those identi cal circumstances. We admire the independence and courage of yes terday’s pioneer religious leaders, but woe betide today’s crusader who enters a commimity without official sanction! Increasingly prevalent is our gen eral antipathy toward anything that is unusual or “ off-beat” or “not the way we do it in our church.” We seem unaware that “ the way we do it in our church” is failing to attract unreached multitudes. We post a bulletin board announcing “ Services Sunday and Wednesday — Everyone Welcome,” and seem to feel it’s the sinner’s responsibility to come to us . . . like the fisherman who hung a “ Fish Welcome” sign on his boat but failed to offer the fish an incentive!
certain methods of ministry, does that prove that all other hearers will be equally unreceptive? Are our personal opinions a safe criterion? If men have been redeemed by the power of Christ, the testimony of the details of such redemption can be used effectively in many cases. It should be done with wis dom and restraint, of course, but here again let us remember that none of us are qualified to judge the other man’s sincerity. Perhaps his efforts, misunderstood and ma ligned by us, are well-meant and earnest and fruitful. Did not the Apostle Paul make astounding statements about his pre-conversion qualifications (Phil. 3:4-7), his spectacular experiences on the Damascus road (Acts 22), his subsequent missionary adven tures (2 Cor. 11:23-33)? Surely no one will call his accounts lurid or sensational, although they were far more spectacular than testimonies heard today. After all, is not per sonal testimony a prime factor in Christian witnessing? “ Once I was blind, now I see.” Are we not referred to as “ epis tles . . . known and read of all men” (2 Cor. 3:2)? M en are not reading the Bible today, Dashing about in their own reckless way, M ost of them don’t care what God has to say. But, brother, they’re reading you! Timothy read what was written b y Paul , l like to read about David and Saul, But most folks don’t read the Bible at all, But, brother, they’re reading you! What is the gospel according to you? In this job of fishing for souls it is important to exercise tact and humility and utmost patience. Often a long range ministry is required, with immediate results not always forthcoming. Too many testifiers issue an abrupt challenge and then become discouraged if there is not an immediate harvest. Sometimes our very abruptness can frighten away the prospect who had begun to evidence an awareness of his need. Or perhaps our forceful per sonality and overpowering insist ence can force the timid prospect into an immature acquiescence be fore there is sufficient conviction and readiness. Not all methods ©f witnessing are geared to immediate harvesting. “ . . . let us not be weary . . . in
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