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Fishers of Men

“'Come, follow me,' Jesus said, ' and I will make you fishers of men.'" Matthew 4:19

For the past twenty-six years, we have placed our primary focus upon the Great Commission, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:19-20

Through our numerous retreats, clinics, conferences, men’s ministry programs, church pulpit appearances, and resources we have endeavored to influence people with the vision and calling the Lord Jesus gave to his disciples – become a fisher of men, women, boys, and girls.  Why do we place so much attention on equipping and training men?  When you get men involved in faith issues you will get a family leader who can live a life that testifies to the love of God.

The calling to Christ’s disciples was two-fold.  “Follow me” implies relationship.  God desires that we know and love Him first.  A ministry will follow if we place the emphasis on knowing Him.  He will make us to know His plan and purpose for our lives.  He will equip us for ministry.

Someone has said, “I would rather fail in a cause that will ultimately succeed than succeed in a cause that will ultimately fail.”  The battle for men’s souls is just such a cause.  Unfortunately, too many churches have not been able to connect with men or develop a comprehensive strategy to disciple men.

You need only look at church budgets to see where their allocations of funds and intellectual resources have been placed.  Discipleship and men’s ministry are usually not at the top of the list for very many churches. The discipling of men is an under-managed area that can offer a greater return on the investment of labor and funds than any other ministry.   

What can we do to assist our churches in developing a vision and strategic plan for reaching men?  First, pray for your church, its leaders, and for men to step forward to help lead others to Christ.  Secondly, encourage your pastor to go on line and review the various tools and resources our ministry provides (www.theoutdoorconnection.org).  Next, seek out opportunities to address issues like, “Why Men Hate Going to Church”.
Finally, get involved with helping to create a vibrant men’s ministry program.

We need to disciple men, because the church desperately needs what discipled men have to offer.  Men who are warriors for Jesus will impact families, churches, and communities. A call to become a Christian is a call to follow and disciple others.  "Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. He appointed twelve—designating them apostles—that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons." Mark 3:13-15

We need to wake up our churches before it’s too late.  D.L Moody once said, “I would rather wake a slumbering church than a slumbering world.”  What can you do to help wake up a slumbering church?

My dear friends, Go Make Disciples and have a great week.  Jim