Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew, the brother of Simon, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men” (Matthew 4:18-19; See also: Mark 1:16-17, Luke 5:1-11).
Many have heard it said that the disciples were just lowly fishermen. The intent behind this statement is often to emphasize that one does not need a certain intellectual or socio-economic status to be a disciple of Jesus. To this, all Christians everywhere should say a hearty, “Amen!”
However, dwelling on the disciples’ occupations prior to following Jesus may have unintended negative consequences for leadership development and training. Not all the disciples were fishermen — one was a tax collector, another may have been a political zealot, and one was a thief (at least in character, if not by profession). Focusing solely on the lowly fishermen may lead to the assumption that they were thrown into ministry without preparation. But this assumption is flawed.
Every disciple was most likely raised under the Torah and had at least a foundational knowledge of the Hebrew Scriptures. Just because they did not become scribes or Pharisees does not mean they were ignorant of God’s law. Nor does it imply they were unintelligent; they simply pursued different occupations. By overemphasizing their humble beginnings, we may unintentionally suggest that training is optional rather than essential for those entering upper-level church and pastoral ministry.
Three Years of Training
Yes, many of the disciples were fishermen, not scholars, but they walked with Jesus, learned from him and at Pentecost, received the power to begin spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ.
When Jesus called the fishermen, he told them he would make them into something new. Instead of casting nets for fish, they would now cast their net for people. This marked the beginning of their three-year education in the school of Jesus (which should also prompt us to consider a formal discipleship process for new Christians and church members). Much of Jesus’ ministry involved teaching them how to be disciples and how to reach others for Christ — but this transformation didn’t happen overnight. The disciples spent three years preparing for the mission Jesus gave them: to make disciples (Matthew 28:18–20).
There is no overnight training program for ministry. Training doesn’t guarantee perfection. Even with training, mistakes happen (Galatians 2:11–21). But training can help reduce the number and severity of mistakes. Yes, many of the disciples were fishermen, not scholars, but they walked with Jesus, learned from him and at Pentecost (Acts 2), received the power to begin spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Holy Spirit-Filled Commission
After Jesus’ ascension, the disciples were gathered in Jerusalem when the Holy Spirit filled them. This was their confirmation to begin the church and spread the gospel to the ends of the earth. The disciples did not act on their own authority; they were commissioned by the Holy Spirit.
The call of God on one’s life is not merely internal; it should also be affirmed by the church. God has given us his Word, his Spirit and his church to identify and develop leaders. While not every disciple needs to go through intensive theology or ministry courses (though all would benefit from such training), those called to lead the church should — like the fishermen Jesus called — be transformed and equipped through his Word and Spirit to serve the church effectively.
Plenty of Opportunities to Train Leaders
Church leaders are not trained ex nihilo. Jesus did not form disciples from the dust of the earth; he called and developed people who were already present. The same is true in our churches today. While recruiting from institutions can happen, church leaders should focus within their congregations and pray about who could be mentored and trained for leadership. If you are unsure how to begin, many resources are available to help.
The Ministry Training Institute stands ready to assist in training deacons, elders and pastors for those whose time or finances may prohibit entry into an accredited program. Scholarships are available to help ease the financial burden of college or seminary tuition. Additionally, For the Church Institute and BiblicalTraining.org offer excellent free resources for flexible, self-paced learning.
May we not let misconceptions about the disciples or a perceived lack of resources keep us from the vital work of raising up leaders in our churches.
