Third Day of Lent, Friday, Feb. 15th
A Task for this Day, for Every Day 
"Follow me, and I will make you fish for people."  Matthew 4:19

I've been thinking about this topic a lot recently.  Part of that was stimulated by a recent article in the Lutheran magazine titled, "The Shrinking Church."  Many mainline denominations, not just Lutherans, have seen a decline in church membership and attendance that has been going on for three decades.  I'm sure there are many reasons for this, but the question still remains, "What does it mean to 'fish for people' in the 21st century?"  How do we best do that, making known our convictions, while at the same time respecting the beliefs of others?  It's a discussion we'll be having on our upcoming church council retreat in early March.

Perhaps this answer is inadequate, but I think it's best to live as the person God has called you to be.  Some people are quite comfortable in speaking about their faith, others are more reserved.  In either case, we need to live our lives in love, showing others the key Christian values that have shaped our lives and naming our Christian beliefs when we have the opportunity.  "Fishing for people" is a task of discipleship.  But, in the end, it's really not up to us to convert others.  That's the work of the Holy Spirit, working through us and many others to impact lives.  In that way we "fish for people," rejoicing when lives are changed by the good news of God's love.