02.12. "Dont's" For Fishermen

12. DON’TS FOR FISHERMEN

Don’t scold.

Don’t pout.

Don’t show discouragement.

Don’t say anything or make any move that will destroy faith.

Don’t ignore the pastor; he is the shepherd of the flock and must remain to lead and guide them after you are gone.

Don’t try to tie the folks to yourself only so far as you may lead them to Christ.

Don’t ever leave the impression that God is a tyrant anxious to punish and destroy. The Bible says He "is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."

Don’t make an issue of people leaving when you start your invitation. I have never known an evangelist who could make them return, but I have known of efforts to stop them ruining many an invitation. It is best to appeal for them to stay at the beginning of the invitation; but if they start out anyway, the less said the better.

Don’t blame the people if there is no response to your invitation. They may be partly to blame, but it seldom does any good to tell them so.

Don’t use extreme methods, such as placing a Bible in the doorway and challenging them to walk out over it.

Don’t form a circle of prayer around the building with Christians holding hands and daring sinners to break it.

Don’t ask all the Christians to move to one part of the building separate from the unsaved.

Such methods may move some, but those not reached are often damaged beyond repair.

Don’t make propositions which may confuse. Make your appeal plain, simple, explicit. Use as few words as possible and it is often well to repeat, so your listeners will be sure to understand.