Fishing During a Pandemic
Jesus calls us to be fishers of men and women (Matthew 4:19). It’s a great analogy and one that has lots of meaning for us. Many of us have experienced the joys of fishing: getting the license, the gear, the bait, the boat, and then spending hours patiently waiting for the fish to bite. We’ve known the exasperation of catching nothing and the thrill of landing the big ones. Fishing with the gospel is a good thing. But, how do you fish during a global pandemic?
I’ve been struck the past few weeks as I’ve listened to clergy friends who are stepping into uncharted waters to put worship services on Facebook Live, conduct Bible studies and church meetings via Zoom. They are finding all sorts of creative new ways to connect with their congregations, even though in-person gatherings aren’t possible now. This crisis is forcing us to become more technologically literate, which is usually not our strong suit. Many of us—especially pastors—prefer to be up close and personal, so we may have a natural aversion to technology, or at least a minor discomfort with it. But if we want to connect with our congregations, that’s an obstacle that must be overcome. So, we are learning how to use Zoom, Facebook Live, and You Tube, however reluctantly. And we are being pleasantly surprised. In virtual meetings the past two weeks, DOMA clergy have shared surprisingly similar stories: their efforts have been far from professional, rough around the edges, but greatly appreciated and well attended—often drawing a higher participation than in-person average Sunday attendance figures. The bottom line is the fish are biting, or at least tuning in.
Despite our misgivings, virtual connections work. People appreciate seeing each other’s faces. And, they like being able to hear God’s Word preached and taught. It may feel very different to us to preach and teach to a camera, but, as Isaiah reminds us, the reality is that God’s Word is going forth and accomplishing all that God intends (Is 55:10-11).
Many of us have experienced deep frustrations in attempting to connect with younger generations, fishing all night but catching nothing (Jn 21:3-6). The fish were there, but they haven’t been biting. Jesus’ simple directive to put our nets down on the “right side of the boat” is his way of encouraging us, like his forlorn disciples, not to give up but to persevere and to try doing things a little differently. Is technology the “right side” of our boat? Could it be that, despite our misgivings, God is teaching us through this global pandemic that there are ways to connect with our fish that we’ve been too reluctant to try until we absolutely had no other way? Statistics are clear that the number of Millennials and Gen Z that go to church is decreasing precipitously. Could it be that we just haven’t found the best way to connect with them? These generations have grown up with the technology that intimidates older generations, and they are as comfortable with it as older folks are without it. It is their medium.
Perhaps like the roads of the Roman empire that enabled the Gospel to be spread in the first century, and Gutenberg’s printing press that spread the teaching of the Reformation, the Internet will enable us to bring in a catch so big that it will strain our nets. As hard as it may be to imagine, the church may actually grow—even grow rapidly—during this time. As people deal with their fears and anxieties, this is a great time for them to hear of God’s love for them and experience his presence with them in the midst of this struggle. If nothing else, we get to learn new ways to fish.
But, my guess is that there is a whole lot more waiting on the other side of this crisis, especially if we’ll cast our nets on the right side, where the fish are.
Faithfully yours in Christ,
The Rev. Dr. Tom Herrick
Canon for Church Planting