Writing & Evangelism: Fishing With Nets
by Terrence G. ClarkMarlene Bagnull’s Philadelphia Christian Writers Conference is filled with a lot of opportunities for writers and publishers alike. 2019 was the second-year transition from the former location in Langhorne PA----To the Dock Mennonite Academy campus in Lansdale PA.
Adjustments were still being made from the shift from the larger university facility to that of the smaller school. The press to gather students and faculty was not without challenges, as every year, of the 36th chapter of the Philadelphia and Colorado event. There’s a lake on the school’s plot. A saw a young man, a teenager, a student I presumed fishing in it with a net. I had never seen, in person, this method of fishing. I was raised, in the country, around lakes and ponds. We fished with poles with the hopes of catching fish---one at a time. The assumption, I gathered, is that lake fish don’t swim in schools. I took a social approach and surmised that perhaps populations of fish are more culturally dispersed throughout the small geography of a lake. So, catching the sought-out species needed select bait and tackle. Also, there’s the sport of hooking that tough one. (Research revealed, the real reason may be more related to law and license.) This student didn’t think so---I watched him toss the net several times. The fact that he didn’t catch anything didn’t diminish his effort, prop, or method. All in all, It may be more advantageous in a lake, where fewer fishes are---to use a bigger scoop.
In my fishing days, we thought fish were smart. The big one, we knew that lurked in the water of the pond, we thought had us figured out. No manner of bait or lure was going to entice his bite. It may have been better to catch him in a net with others. Altar calls could be classified as net fishing. The evangelist giving the invitation after the sermon or song assurance may be based on percentages as well as anointing. In a crowd, there’s bound to be someone who is hooked by the nails of the cross.
I believe sometimes, the one-on-one witness could be more challenging. The possibility of distraction increases and the possibility of that conflicting question with an unknown answer may surface. Taxing Mind Set
Peter came to Jesus at tax time. Jesus, who did pay his taxes, told His lead disciple to go fishing. The instructions and expectations were to, with the coin he found in the first fish, pay both of their levies. We assume Peter grabs his pole. However, where in scripture is Peter found using a pole to fish. Of course, it does say after his first encounter with the Master that he left his nets. He’s back again, doing what he knows, at the end of the Gospel discourse. |
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The Hook
Peter was known as a net fisher. Jesus used this reference when apprenticing Peter and his crew as fishers of men. Perhaps, we have become too pole minded in our evangelism and ministries, including writing.
We must be careful not to become too pole or net minded. In specializing---in a specific genre, group, gender, geography, culture---we can’t lose our reach to others. In our broad reach to win the world, we can’t cast away the individual.
Peter was known as a net fisher. Jesus used this reference when apprenticing Peter and his crew as fishers of men. Perhaps, we have become too pole minded in our evangelism and ministries, including writing.
We must be careful not to become too pole or net minded. In specializing---in a specific genre, group, gender, geography, culture---we can’t lose our reach to others. In our broad reach to win the world, we can’t cast away the individual.
I’ve taught this for years, writing is more than the book, article, play, song, poem, verse---Its all of these named and more. Writing is an extension of ministry. Ministry is specialized and diverse at the same time. It looks for the target audience but is always ready to receive all who are attracted to the Gospel net.
In John 12, Certain Greek men came looking for Jesus in the Jewish temple to worship Him. When this was reported to Jesus he rejoiced. He announced at this time, “And I, If I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
In John 12, Certain Greek men came looking for Jesus in the Jewish temple to worship Him. When this was reported to Jesus he rejoiced. He announced at this time, “And I, If I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
Clarkisms
Evangelism is like Fishing, Our job is to catch them and God’s job to clean them
A sign that should be on every minister’s door ”Gone Fishing”.
Evangelism is like Fishing, Our job is to catch them and God’s job to clean them
A sign that should be on every minister’s door ”Gone Fishing”.