HERE’S A PICTURE OF MANY MODERN DAY CHURCHES AND BELIEVERS.

Check it out.. the main thing is to keep the main things the main things. Sure, you and I could so easily become distracted.. too busy with what’s minor, secondary, or periphery (lesser things).

Jesus Calls Every Christian To Become A Fisher Of Men (People).

After personal worship that is acceptable, that’s a main thing. And here are five Essentials that well-accompany.

Now it came to pass that a group existed who called themselves fishermen. And lo, there were many fish in the waters all around. In fact, the whole area was surrounded by streams, seas, and lakes filled with fish. And the fish were hungry too!

Week after week, month after month, and year after year, these who called themselves fisherman, gathered in important meetings and talked about their call to fish, the abundance of fish, and how they might go about fishing. Year after year they carefully defined what fishing means, defended fishing as an occupation, and declared that: “Fishing is always to be a primary task of fishermen!”

Continually they searched for new and better methods of fishing and for new and better definitions. Further they said, "The fishing industry exists by fishing as fire exists by oxygen, fuel, and combustion or burning."

They loved slogans such as "Born to fish," "Fishing is the task of every fisherman," "Fish ’till you drop," "Every fisherman is a true fisher," and "A fisherman department for every fisherman’s club."

Photo by Jonas Jacobsson

Preparatory-wise, some zealous people.. really dug in deep to learn more information. They studied so diligently hoping to gain expertise in all the finer points of Jewish, or in Islamic, or in lost Gentile kind of effectual fishing.

They sponsored special meetings called "Fishermen’s Campaigns" and "The Month For Fishermen To Fish!" They sponsored expensive nationwide and worldwide congresses to discuss the points of fishing specificity and to promote simple fishing. It was a great time to hear all the complex or far from complex

and fruitful methods of fishing. It was the place to preview all the latest fishing equipment, books, fish calls and to see whether any new bait was discovered

These fishermen built large, beautiful buildings called "Fishing Headquarters." The plea was that everyone should be a fisherman and every fisherman should fish. One thing they didn’t do, however, they didn’t fish.

In addition to meeting regularly, they organized a board to send out fishermen to other places where there were many fish. All the fishermen seemed to agree that what is needed is a humble board which could challenge fishermen to be faithful in fishing. The board was formed by those who had the great vision, or degrees, and courage to speak about fishing.. to define fishing, and to promote the idea of fishing in faraway streams and lakes where many other fish of different colors lived.

Also the board hired grateful staff members and appointed committees and held meetings to define fishing, to defend fishing, and to decide what new streams should be thought about. But the staff and committee members were too busy to fish.

Large elaborate and expensive training centers were built whose original and primary purpose was to teach fishermen how to fish. And these wonderful buildings and their maintenance operations took on the greatest of importance as their leaders wisely prioritized. One craftsman made a beautiful silver plaque for the entry of one such center, with their engraved watchword, "We duplicate what we are! Our constituents will fish like we as leaders fish, more than if we just tell them to go fishing!"

Over the years, specialized courses were offered on the various needs and dependencies of fish, the nature of fish, the politically correct fisher, fish self esteem, fish as victims, healing the fish we plan to catch, where to find fish, the psychological reactions and phobias of 22nd century fishermen, also how to sensitively approach and feed fish.

Many of those who eloquently taught fishing had earned doctorates in fishology. But the teachers did not fish. They only taught skillful fishing. Some of them, thought of as having fishing expertise, felt that actual fishing with pole or net, was to be left for the few groups of fishing clubs that were so gifted. But year after year, after tedious training, many were graduated and were given fishing licenses. They were sent to do full-time fishing, some to distant waters, which were filled with fish.

Some financed and actually spent much on research, on travel to go learn the history of fishing and to see faraway places where the founding fathers did great fishing in the centuries past. They lauded the faithful fishermen of years before who stayed with the club and handed down the idea of fishing.

Further, the fishermen built large printing houses to publish fishing guides. Presses were kept busy day and night to produce materials solely devoted to fishing methods, equipment, and programs to arrange and to encourage meetings to talk about fishing. A speaker's bureau was also provided to schedule speakers on the subject of fishing.

Many who felt the call to be fishermen responded. They were commissioned and sent to fish, however, like the fishermen back home they never fished. Just like the fishermen back home, they engaged in all kinds of other occupations. Some were convinced that they were allergic to fish. So, they made all kinds of equipment to travel here and there to look at fish hatcheries. Some also said that they wanted to be part of the fishing party, but they felt called to furnish fishing resources and premiums.

Others felt that their job was to relate to the fish in a cool and friendly way so the fish would know the difference between good and hypocritical fishermen. Others felt that simply letting the fish know they were nice, land-loving neighbors and how warm and kind they were, was enough to make these fish eventually get themselves caught.

After a stirring meeting on "The Necessity for Fishing," one young fellow stood up, left the meeting and went fishing.

The next day he reported he had caught two outstanding fish. He was honored for his excellent catch and was scheduled to appear on all the prime time fishing-talk shows and drive-time radio shows. His face appeared on the cover of many fishing magazines and book contracts were signed. They scheduled him to visit all the big meetings, as much as possible, to tell how he did it. Crowds always wanted his touch, his autograph, his podcasts …or his son to come talk to them. Countless sought to get closer in different ways. And his own speaking became "in demand" internationally, so he quit his fishing in order to have the time to tell about the experience to the other fishermen. He was also placed on the General Board as a person having considerable experience and there was even talk of eventually making him the president of a reputable fishing college.

Now it's true that many of the fishermen sacrificed and put up with all kinds of difficulties. Some lived near the water and bore the smell of dead fish every day. They received the ridicule of some who made fun of their fishermen's clubs and the fact that they claimed to be fishermen yet never fished. They wondered about those who felt it was of little use to attend the weekly meetings to talk about fishing. After all, were they not following the Master who said, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers..?"
Imagine how hurt some felt when one day a person suggested that those who don't catch fish were really not fishermen, no matter how much they claimed to be. Yet it did sound correct. Is a person a fisherman if year after year he never catches a fish? Is one following if he isn't fishing?

"One can love fish but never catch any himself until he goes fishing." ~ Vance Havner

Is there such a thing as Christian discipleship that is non-evangelistic? Uhh, no. According to Jesus Himself, a plain result of following Him is acceptable worship and that we each choose and become fishers of men and of women.

It's not enough just to follow our Lord's life-principles, teachings, or His good example, we must follow Him where He's presently going! The Scriptures make His purpose clear.

"For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which is lost" (Luke 19:10).

“The saddest road to hell is the one that runs under the pulpit, past the Bible, and through the middle of warnings and invitations.” ~ J.C. Ryle

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday today and forever" (Hebrews 13:8).

Doing your part to pray and believe and to biblically witness..being involved in saving souls is still the master passion of Jesus (the only one who can forgive and save a soul) and He wants to use you in this ministry!

The Main.. of all main things is: Come to Christ the Ultimate Fisher of people (the kind Savior who can forgive any of us). Choose to come into a right relationship with Him as Lord. Yes, into fellowship. Come just as you are (via true repentance and faith), willing to cooperate with the Holy Spirit and Word of God. That’s regeneration, it’s free — no earning it!

Next comes ministry and sanctification for each of us. So, go tell someone all that He’s done for you. Tactfully share His gospel message for the purpose of winning lost people to Him.

“The sinner cannot convert the sinner. Fish will not be fishers.” ~ Charles Spurgeon

Photos by Stephen Momot

Thank you J.D.! I (Kurt W.v. Schleicher) adapted this piece from “a plea for fishing” by John Drescher.