springpikeChurches Together on the Broads is interested to make contact with Christian people who fish the Broadland waters. Jesus had many good friends who were fishermen and we imagine there are lots of fishermen who are good friends with Jesus.

Richard, our webshepherd (you can access his blog from here) found himself reflecting after he caught a pike. In the light of Jesus joke to Simon Peter – I will make you a fisher of men – what did the experience have to say about evangelism? Plenty of preparation and patience required? Be prepared for a big one? Make sure it doesn’t bite you?

George Herbert the 17th century Anglican priest poet was a fishing chum of the famous Izak Walton ( as was his fellow contemporary priest/poet friend John Donne).  One of Herbert’s most quoted poems “The Pulley” only makes sense when one realises pulley was what fishermen today would call a reel:

THE PULLEY.

WHEN God at first made man,
Having a glasse of blessings standing by ;
Let us (said he) poure on him all we can :
Let the worlds riches, which dispersed lie,
Contract into a span.

So strength first made a way ;
Then beautie flow’d, then wisdome, honour, pleasure :
When almost all was out, God made a stay,
Perceiving that alone, of all his treasure,
Rest in the bottome lay.

For if I should (said he)
Bestow this jewell also on my creature,
He would adore my gifts in stead of me,
And rest in Nature, not the God of Nature :
So both should losers be.

Yet let him keep the rest,
But keep them with repining restlesnesse :
Let him be rich and wearie, that at least,
If goodnesse leade him not, yet wearinesse
May tosse him to my breast.