Fishing the Pond . . . and the Deep!

The last two summers I have tried to take up fishing again; I used to fish when I was younger. Wormy fingers and the smell of salmon eggs are nothing new, but I seem to have forgotten the important things. By important, I mean the things that go beyond the basics -- I know how to tie a line, bait a hook and all of that -- I just don't remember how to get the fish to cooperate.

When I was growing up, I don't remember many Saturdays going by that my grandfather hadn't planned a fishing expedition up to Millerton Lake. Unlike me, my grandfather knew how to get the fish to cooperate; not only on his line, but on my line too! He'd say. "Looks like a big one right over there by that log. I'd cast, and sure enough, the fight was on!

This "fish-cooperation" technique he had seemed to rub on everyone in the boat. In fact, even today, my dad, uncles and cousins have the same ability -- I've got news clippings and photographs of the whale-like "stripers" they have pulled out of the backwaters of Millerton.

My grandfather was a successful fisherman because he knew how a fish thought. Sounds silly, but it's true. He knew what a bass liked, given the condition of the lighting, the weather and the time of day. He would float along, suddenly pick up his pole, cast out, and sure enough, a five-pound bass would jump right out of the water holding Daddy Jim's top water lure in its mouth! He had developed the skills he needed to keep my grandmother's frying pan full.

In today's world, fishing-for-food has given way to fishing-for-sport. Not many people have to fish to survive, so few people have developed fishing to such an art form. Instead, we have developed great systems for providing the fish we eat. Commercially-produced fish are practically farm-raised now, and the fish in the lakes are left alone.

For instance, I remember a restaurant not far from campus when I was in college that advertised "pond-raised" catfish. Just think about it -- pond-raised --that means there is no trouble to get the fish. "You say you want catfish for supper? Well, wait just a minute while I go out back and rustle you up one!" no waiting on the bank in the hot sun for the fish to make his decision. No skill needed to bait the hook or cast the line. No trouble hitching up the boat and driving to the launching ramp.

So, what's my point? Well, fishing is a Biblical topic. Peter and Andrew had been out on the lake all night when Jesus told them to try once more in deeper water. They had hardly caught a fish that night, but when they cast out as Jesus told them, they hauled in so many fish that their boat was beginning to sink. (Luke 5:1-7) Then, Jesus said, "Don't be afraid; from now on you will catch men." (Luke 5:10)

From that day forth, Christ's disciples have been fishing for men. From the church of the first century, to the church of today, the disciples have had the responsibility of following in the footsteps of the Master. (Matt. 28:18-20)

Somehow, though, we have begun to follow the techniques of the commercial fishermen. Most new converts in our congregations today are pond-raised. The typical new converts now are our own children! Now, don't misunderstand me, I think that if we are unable to convert our children, we would be failing in our responsibilities to both them and the Lord. But, perhaps we need to look at what kind of emphasis we are putting on evangelizing the rest of the lost -- those whom are in the deep and dark waters of the world.

Stop and examine our practices. Are we spending most of our effort in converting the "easy catch?" Think about the last evangelistic effort you were involved in. What inroads into the community were made? Most of our gospel meetings and lectureships are designed more for us than for the non-Christian. Few of the youths attending our youth rallies and forums are from "outside."

Please, don't mistake this for an indictment of any particular congregation -- I simply want to draw attention to what practices we are unknowingly falling into; harvesting a few from the pond, feeling satisfied that our creels are full, leaving the lakes and rivers full of others still in their lost and weary condition. Because of this, we run the risk of no longer developing the necessary skills of fishing for men.

If many of us were honest with ourselves, we would have to admit that we expect the evangelism to be carried out by someone besides ourselves -- like we expect our fish to be brought to market. Many of us take great comfort in knowing the "minister" is there -- after all, "isn't that his job?"

Today's pews hold many who are like I am in my fishing; knowing some of the basics, but lacking in experience and skill. If the church is to harvest beyond what the pond will bear, we all need to develop our skills of true evangelism -- not the gimmicky stuff that tends to draw the curious who play at the "fancy" lure, but the kind that presents the gospel of Christ -- letting it draw those who are seriously looking for the answers to their needs; those who will grab it and hold on tight! (1 Tim. 5:12; 2 Tim. 4:1-4)