Fishers of Men

The offer that Jesus made to the fishermen who formed a significant part of his apostolic team, remains an interesting one.

My church background is one which has historically struggled in producing fishers of men. The typical progression route of males in the organisation is they’ll be in the children’s activities, and some will stick around for the youth and some young adult designed projects, but will have itchy feet in their teens and by their early 20’s in the age of their independence will find something else to occupy their time.

It is sad to see, and people are saddened at the dearth of men in that age group. For the good intentions and well meaning sentiments of some, the problem has persisted with little sign as yet if it being addressed.

It would be easy to consign the age group as a helpless or hopeless case. Likewise efforts could be made to pander to men’s tastes so they get almost a consumer church experience that presses the right socio-cultural buttons.

I am drawn, though, by the example of people like Jesus, Peter and Paul. Men, who gathered men around them, and shared life in mission with them. Shared it by example and then sharing it through entrusting the men to carry out the mission.

It doesn’t have to glamorous and follow the trends. It need not even be something extra done. It can hold within it the ingredients of dynamic life itself while helping men develop in responsibility and maturity.

Men have been called by God to be on the mission in service of Gid representing the Kingdom. That is a high calling – that is a significant challenge. It us one that we’re able to accomplish in and through Jesus Christ.

To a large degree I’m the product of working under men who extended such an invitation to men. I am certainly more aware of the importance to understand and carry our the call, because of the example of these men.

I don’t hail them as perfect, but even their failings and flaws it highlighted the truism that God puts the special gift in jars of clay. I was only more drawn to Jesus when they erred.

As such a recipient and learning so much from the experience, I look forward to entrusting to other men in the hope they too will see all of life as their mission with Jesus as Lord of all.

For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden