WHEN YOU go fishing for bass you may catch a bluegill; but when you go fishing for bluegill it isn't very likely that you will come up with a bass. When Jesus compared the work of evangelism with fishing He knew that some men would be easier to catch than others, just as some fish are easier to catch.
It appears that too often we gear our evangelistic and missionary thrust primarily toward reaching "fringe" groups, such as the poor, divorcees, alcoholics, the illiterate, and others who feel a very definite need in their lives, without having to have a desire created. What would happen if we would raise our sights and try to reach the central influence groups men like ministers, doctors, teachers, lawyers, or other professional men whose influence would reach out in ever-widening circles, even to the fringe groups?
In theory this sounds like a wonderful idea, but it has been well-nigh abandoned by most evangelists and ministers because they soon discover that it is much easier to baptize those in the fringe groups. Doctrines are accepted much more quickly by them, since they usually will accept the authority of the instructor without diligently investigating each teaching thoroughly. Those who comprise the leadership class tend to feel little need, bring up difficult points that are hard for us to deal with, and are often on a higher plane than we are intellectually, socially, or financially.
To demonstrate that this concept of reaching influential group leaders really does work, take the example of Geoff, a Columbia Union College premedical student. He began working for a young man who was president elect of the student association at a college near Geoff's home. After much prayerful effort by Geoff and some of his friends, Chuck accepted Christ and was baptized at a summer camp meeting. Chuck never went back to serve as student association president, but instead attended CUC as a theology major.
Diane, one of Chuck's friends, was a new Christian and didn't know anything at all about Seventh-day Adventists. Prior to Chuck's conversion she tried to lead him to Christ, but without success. After Chuck's conversion she began attending some in formal meetings conducted by local Adventist youth, because she wondered what they had that was strong enough to make Chuck want to be a Christian. She found out and was soon rejoicing in the third angel's message also.
Diane arranged for a young area pastor to speak to an interdenominational Christian group at the same college Chuck had previously attended. This group included faculty, as well as students. They liked him so well that they invited him back one day a week, on a regular basis. Later they insisted on twice a week. The pas tor began his relationship with this group by showing extra interest in the students and faculty who appeared to be the strongest thought leaders of the group. He gained their confidence; and they influenced the others to put credence in the truths the pastor was presenting.
A very close bond developed between the pastor and the Christian group at this college. By the end of the spring term about one fourth of the group had become Adventists. Every one of these students either is already in full-time denominational employment or is preparing for it. Each of them is an active soul winner. Each has greatly enlarged his circle of influence within his family and peer group. The circle is expanding to include leaders of other Christian youth groups who are now sharing the Adventist message with more than 200 non-Adventist youth.
If our work is centered on those who are influence leaders, does this mean that our work for the fringe groups will be neglected or ignored? No, what it actually means is that more are reached in those classes in the long run. The leadership group expands, and its influence produces more soul-winning personnel. Thus more avenues of soul winning are opened.
"It requires much wisdom to reach ministers and men of influence. But why should they be neglected as they have been by our people? ... If we can win to Christ and the truth souls to whom God has entrusted large capabilities, our influence will, through them, be constantly extending, and will become a far-reaching power for good."--Evangelism, pp. 562, 563.
