Walking in the Valley A weekly column for those who live and walk in Silicon Valley by Barbara Dahlgren

Goin' Fishin' Column for the weeks of October 16-31, 2005

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Christians are called to be “fishers of men.” Jesus said in Mark 1:17, " Come, follow Me and I will make you fishers of men." However how to go about that fishing is another story. Christian fishers are usually divided into two categories: the planners and the doers.

Planners methodically map out strategic programs. They are high on mission and vision statements. They love to set goals and have everyone adhere to strict disciplines.

Doers on the other hand tend to go where angels fear to tread. “Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!” “Let’s get the show on the road!” “What’s the hold up?” “What’s the problem?”

Recently, I attended a conference conducted by Cynthia Heald, author and speaker best known through her bestselling Bible study series Becoming of Woman of...Excellence, Faith, Prayer, Grace, etc. She read a parable about fishing. I’d like to give my paraphrased view of what she read.

The Parable of the Fishless Fishermen

Once upon a time there was a group called the Fishermen’s Fellowship. The fellowship was formed because their area was surrounded by ponds, lakes, and streams full of hungry fish. The fish were plentiful and these fishermen loved to talk about how to catch them.

The Fishermen's Fellowship met regularly to discuss fishing because it excited them. They actually felt “called to fish.” So much so that they decided they needed a “philosophy of fishing.”

Therefore, committees were formed to define and redefine fishing and its purpose. Strategies on fishing were formulated. Conferences were held to discuss and promote fishing. Always the fellowship was searching for better definitions of fishing and better ways to fish. Unfortunately, no one had actually gone fishing.

Someone suggested they were going about it all wrong. They had been looking at it from the fisherman’s point of view, when they should really concentrate on fishing from the point of view of the fish. New committees were formed to research how fish look at things. What do fish eat? How do they view the fishermen? Some traveled around the world gathering information about fish from other countries. Some even got degrees in “fishology.” Others printed fishing guides and gave lectures on fishing.

Then someone pointed out that no one had actually gone fishing.

When they discovered this, a committee was formed to send out fishermen. Since fish were abundant and prospective fishing places outnumbered the fishermen, a priority list of the most preferred places to fish was posted on the bulletin board of the Fellowship hall. Still no one went fishing.

Surveys were taken to find out why. From those who responded to the surveys, it was determined that some felt called to study fishing, others to provide equipment, and some to encourage fishermen. Still others just didn’t have time to fish after attending meetings, conferences and seminars.

Then one day Fred, a newcomer to the Fishermen’s Fellowship, was inspired by a meeting and went fishing. He didn’t go fishing in one of the designated priority areas but he did catch a big fish. At the next meeting he told everyone all about it. He was honored for his catch and told he had the special “gift of fishing.” In fact, they had him speak at all the Fellowship chapters and tell how he did it.

Unfortunately, Fred the Fisherman no longer has time to fish because of his speaking schedule and election to the Board of Directors of the Fishermen’s Fellowship.

Which of course raises the question, “Can one actually be called a fisherman if he never catches any fish?”

My intention in citing this parable is not to denigrate the planners and elevate the doers, although most churches seem to be blessed with more planners than doers. My hope is for the planners to be more tolerant of the doers and doers to be more tolerant of the planners. But although tolerance is a start, I think God would want planners to actually “fish” more and “fishers” to actually plan more. That way, the net would always be full.

Be sure to visit this page often to read the next edition of Walking in the Valley. You can write to the author at bdahlgren@wcgsouthbay.org.