Today's with Jesus (Vision statement for Unemployed Fishermen - that's it)

 

1. What is an Unemployed Fishermen?

 

"and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon's partners.  Then Jesus said to Simon, "Don't be afraid; from now on you will fish for people."  So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him."  Luke 5:10-11 (NIV)

 

  • This is the moment when a group of people went from "Professional Fishermen" to "Unemployed Fishermen" - all because of an encounter with Jesus Christ. 
  • The symbolism in this passage relates directly to all of us today.
    • we work hour after hour, day after day, year after year using our own strength and wisdom  
    • we don't know how to get free of this endless cycle and the edginess of the struggle wears down and just starts to feel like normal life
  • Then EVERYTHING changes and we come face to face with Jesus and trust Him and respond to His invitation to follow
  • Jesus connects us to the deep meaning and authentic purpose our hearts and souls need
  • This is a call to real life and laying down everything and following him; a call to discipleship

  • Becoming an Unemployed Fishermen will change your history - I know from personal experience.

 

2.  What's the story behind Unemployed Fishermen?

  • Unemployed Fishermen is just another phrase meaning disciple and follower of Jesus.  It points to these themes:
    • risk...imagine being unemployed captures the idea of risk to me  
    • faith...fishing is an action of faith...a person casts a line into the unknown
    • trust...your efforts and plans and gifts have to be entrusted back to Jesus as Lord of your life.  His was are better than our ways
    • simplicity...simple is not the same as easy
  • Look around you.  Look both internally and externally.  We are all searching for identity but when do we know we have really found it?  For so many, our story is what we do, how much we have gained materially, and how positive we can make our family and experiences appear on the surface. 
  • We are more and more risk averse and try to wrap ourselves up in comfort and coping mechanisms.  

 

3.  So, what's the deal?

  • UF wants to connect, assist and serve with you.  
  • trips/retreats/adventures
  • encouraging content and emphasis on pilgrimage