| In Luke 5 we find the
very familiar story of Jesus coming in contact with
several fishermen who had been out all night fishing
but arrived back to shore without any catch. Jesus tells
these fishermen to go back out and simply fish on the
other side of the boat. These fishermen got back in
their boats and they headed out.
You know the rest of the
story. They caught so many fish, on the other side of
the boat that they had to call for their buddies. Their
nets were so full of fish that they began to break.
They returned to shore amazed at this Teacher; and fell
on their faces before the Master. Jesus answered their
awe with a challenge: "...from now on you will
be catching men [students]." A follow-up of His
challenge in Mark 1:17, "Follow Me, and I will
make you become fishers of men [students]."
Today we (The Church, etc.)
are better educated, more talented, and have greater
support from those around us than ever before. And yet
we are further behind than ever. We are experts at fishing,
but mostly we catch and release the same kids week after
week in our services. It's like fishing in a bathtub.
We need to be challenged to fish on the other side of
the boat. This other side of the boat is called Campus
Ministry.
There is a whole new way of fishing.
Consider fishing on the other side of the boat. Fish
where most of the fish are! Do you know where fish swim?
Fish swim in schools. How can we even call ourselves
fishermen if we neglect the largest concentration of
fish? Where the catch is almost limitless?
For many years the fishing season has
been limited in the schools. Certainly, there are still
separation of church and state issues that we must be
aware of, but many of the remaining walls are simply
the residual memories of restricted fishing in the past,
and ignorance of the current rules and regulations.
If you want to change a generation,
go after the kids. Lenin & Hitler knew that. Advertisers
know that! You know it. Our country desperately needs
us. Let's change the World together!
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