Fishing for Souls

In the book of 1st Timothy, the apostle Paul is sharing instruction with his young disciple and son in the Lord about His own call and the message he has been called to deliver:
5For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus,6who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time,7for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle--I am speaking the truth in Christ and not lying--a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

We have a call - to be ambassadors for Jesus Christ.   And we recognize that He will provide opportunities to testify to His greatness and His love.   Not only are we called, but we have capability - to share our faith and to demonstrate His love.  And, in some cases, He will provide creativity, in order to build a bridge to those who do not know Him.   Effective evangelism can often take place in the context of relationship - and sometimes that relationship can be centered on a common interest.   As we are sensitive to the Spirit of God within us, He will provide wonderful means through which we can share what God has done for us.

With the Buckmasters Expo returning to Montgomery this weekend, I think it's timely to focus on the outdoors and how you can use the love of the outdoors as a ministry tool.   That's something our friend Gerry Caillouet talks about frequently on his Saturday morning program, "God's Great Outdoors", on Faith Radio.   And, a church in Indiana has developed a new concept to try to "reel" in attendees.

It's called the "Fishing Church", billed is an opportunity to spend time outdoors, share fellowship with others, hear the Word of God and do some free catch and release fishing. The Fishing Church will continue through September or early October, depending on the weather.

People can enjoy 2 hours of Free Catch and Release Fishing at stocked 10 acre lake following a worship service held at a former bait shop.

According to TheIndyChannel.com, Senior Pastor Wade Compton says holding summer services on a well-stocked 10-acre fishing lake is putting new members at ease and making them more receptive to his sermons and gospel readings.    He hopes that people come back to the church after the summer's over.

The story of the Fishing Church shows us how creativity can operate in order to reach people for Christ, and using the outdoors has proven to be an effective means of doing ministry.   I also think about how Jesus reached out to some guys who made their living in the outdoors.   We pick up the story in Mark 1:
16And as He walked by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen.17Then Jesus said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men."18They immediately left their nets and followed Him.19When He had gone a little farther from there, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the boat mending their nets.20And immediately He called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went after Him.
After His resurrection, Jesus came to His disciples and again spoke into their fishing activity, according to John 21:(4) Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.5Then Jesus said to them, "Children, have you any food?" They answered Him, "No."6And He said to them, "Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some." So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish.7Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it), and plunged into the sea.

There are quite a few stories where Jesus preached near water or perhaps even illustrated His truth on water.   His was truly an outdoor ministry!!  

And, He was intent on encouraging His disciples to be "fishers of men".  His method to recruit some of His disciples was centered on building a bridge to them through their occupation, and that also became an illustration of the type of ministry that they were being called to engage in.

He has given us the bait - His matchless love - and has called us to spread the nets in order to win people to Christ.   He has also endowed us with the responsibility to use the tools He has ordained to share the message of the Kingdom.  Just as fish will not jump out of the water into the boat or onto the shore, so people need to be lured, to be loved, into seeking a relationship with Jesus Christ.   We have the incredible call to go forth in His name and be "fishers of men".