Fishers of Men or Keepers of the Aquarium
By Dr. Brad Walker - August 20, 2003
The first two books of the New Testament recount a story of Jesus walking on the shore of Galilee. He was beginning his ministry and was looking for a select group that would follow him and learn from his teaching. He came upon two fishermen named Peter and Andrew and told them to follow him; He would make them fishers of men! These disciples were called out from the population and were set apart from all others that would seek and follow after the wisdom and miracles that Jesus offered.
Jesus prepared his disciples to be both leaders and servants all at once. He taught them the importance of discernment and compassion. They responded with devotion and commitment that would model a form of brotherly relationship that transcended even natural family ties.
All of this was designed to launch a movement that would reach the world one life at a time. These disciples were later instructed to go out into every nation and tell this story of hope and help to all men. (Mathew 28:19-20)
Somewhere between then and now, this directive has been diluted. Many who profess to be disciples of Jesus have not only neglected this “Go-ye” call, but have never shared their own faith or discovery of Jesus to one single soul. Those outside of church circles may even beg for help or rescue by telegraphing an “S.O.S.”, but few “Saints” are prepared to hear their cries let alone render life-giving aid.
What has happened? While many of us sit inside the firehouse polishing the truck or planning for the next potluck, right outside our front door an alarm sounds. We concern ourselves with the responsibilities of ministry. We spend our time and money building programs to reach the “lost”, and never venture far enough beyond our own walls to actually meet any lost. We may be prepared to care for the injured, if they stumble into our view, but this is the exact opposite of going out and finding them.
Growing up in the church, I spent week-in and week-out receiving excellent teaching and instruction for self-improvement. I went to family camp in the summer and learned the skills necessary to maintain a healthy home environment. I traveled with several Christian musical groups that went into many churches and ministered the gospel of Jesus to every one. I taught Sunday school, bible studies, and prepared many, many sermons for the edification of the “body”. I’ve traveled to foreign countries and helped construct new buildings for other churches that could not provide a meeting place for themselves.
I look back fondly on my Christian upbringing and am truly thankful for the investment so many have made in my life. As I review the effort made, and consider the programs from which I have graduated, I am still left with several pressing questions.
Was I instructed to seek passionately after Jesus and fulfill his command to go into the world and preach the gospel to all men? Was I trained to focus my days on the study of who he was… rather than who I must become, because of Him.
Have I been more interested in just going to school to perfect myself as a student and not becoming a teacher, doctor, or minister myself?
I started to recognize, several years ago, that the largest organized group of volunteers in the world is the Christian church. They have recruitment centers on every corner, in most parts of the world, and yet more than 90% of the world has no idea what Christianity has to offer. They have vast financial potential, facilities, and trained compassionate people. This powerful entity is divided however. We have allowed, even encouraged, this division. We have developed an insidious tool called denominationalism. We have organized religion into a list of divided, separatist rules: overseen by divided separatist rulers, all in the name of Jesus. Jesus himself said in Luke 11:17, “Any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined…” He even went on to say…”If Satan is divided against himself, how can his kingdom stand?” Satan’s kingdom is growing everyday.
It is time that we re-evaluate the condition of the “Modern Congregational System” (M.C.S.) we call church. We may have concentrated more attention on the business of church than on the business Jesus instructed the church to perform.
Hitland Ministries is committed to helping break down the walls that separate Christians, and finding solutions for meeting the needs of a broken world. We offer training, resource, prayer, volunteers, and enthusiasm to help release what we believe is the most empowered and capable army on earth. Now is the time to take what we have been given by God, and reach our world.
I have never seen a fish jump into an aquarium… but a well-prepared fisherman never comes home empty handed!