Fishing for People
About a decade ago, I watched a docuseries called “Deadliest Catch.” The show followed numerous boats in the Bering Sea that were trying to catch Alaskan king crab and snow crab. The captains and their crew faced incessant challenges: cold temperatures, erratic weather, broken vessels, insufficient equipment, low morale, inexperienced crew, disappearing bait. and competing boats. More than anything though, the fishers encountered unpredictable crabs: on some days the pots were filled and on other days the pots were empty. In one episode, after a ship’s captain lamented a string of crab-less pots, he looked directly into the camera and summarized his profession: “That’s why they call it fishing and not catching.” Fishing, at least to this vessel’s skipper, implied an aspect of the unknown. Further, fishing included an untamable predictability. The crew could not just take the fish from the sea - the sea first must offer the fish. And as a fisher of king grab knows, the sea does as the sea wants.
Some of Jesus’ first disciples were fishermen. Accordingly, they understand the parallel that Jesus makes between fishing and ministering.
As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him (Matthew 4.18-20).
Jesus explains to Simon (later renamed Peter) and Andrew that by following him the brothers will continue to fish – just for people rather than humans.
As we consider the parallels between fishing for crab and fishing for people, let’s first look at five things we cannot do.
Crabbers cannot see beneath the water. They must guess where the crabs are located. They have equipment to help, but ultimately, they are making an (educated) guess. Likewise, when reaching new people, Christians make an (educated) guess on where to reach new people.
Crabbers cannot make crabs get caught. Sometimes, crabs fill the cages and sometimes they do not. Likewise, Christians cannot make people choose to follow Jesus. People do as people will.
Crabbers cannot control the storms. The winds blow where the wind wants and crabbers must battle on through unwanted difficulties. The fishing must go on. Likewise, churches encounter unwanted difficulties (like a leaking tower) but the fishing must go on.
Crabbers cannot catch crab in the same places. Ships are constantly moving to find the moving crabs. Likewise, churches must constantly be trying news ideas to reach the moving masses.
Crabbers cannot control other vessels. Crabbing boats relate to one another with both comradery and competitiveness, but good crabbers ultimately stay focused on their boat, their crew, and their plan. Likewise, good churches stay focused on their church, their community, and their plan.
Now, as we continue to examine the parallels between fishing for crabs and fishing for people, let’s look at five things we can do.
Crabbers can make the decision to go crabbing. Fishing for crab is an intentional choice - not something that you stumble into by happenstance. LIkewise, churches make the intentional choice to fish for people. Reaching out to new people requires intentionality.
Crabbers can prepare their vessel. Do you know what makes crabbing impossible? A broken boat or broken equipment. Likewise, churches prepare their congregation for new people. Broken congregations are already overwhelmed by internal strife. How can they successfully add more people?
Crabbers can bait the trap. Crabs, apparently, seldom enter an unbaited cage. They need something to draw them into the pot. Likewise, churches need to give thought to luring people toward the faith. For example, a congregation who gathers after the service for genuine fellowship might leave a visitor thinking: “I want something like that.”
Crabbers can work as a team. In watching “Deadliest Catch,” some crews exemplify an ideal team: better than the sum of their parts. Some crews are disfuncional and seem more interested in perpetrating petty disputes than catching crab. Likewise, churches should function as a team - prioritizing the church’s fulfilling of the Great Commission above personal wants.
Crabbers can be patient. “That’s why they call it fishing and not catching.” Crabbers exist because they eventually catch enough crabs to keep crabbing. They just keep crabbing. LIkewise, churches, at times, might feel like they are “not catching” anything. Just. Keep. Fishing. Be patient, and just keep fishing.
Now, let’s do as Andrew and Simon (Peter) and go fish for people.
