7 Lessons from a Fisherman

Picture of Lindsay Rowe
Lindsay Rowe
Colonel Lindsay Rowe is an officer/pastor within The Salvation Army. He holds a BA honours degree in religious studies from Memorial University of Newfoundland, where he was awarded the university medal for academic excellence in religious studies, and a master of divinity in educational ministries from Tyndale University College and Seminary in Toronto. In his free moments, Lindsay loves reading and jogging.

Lindsay Rowe - Lessons From A FishermanI grew up in Chance Cove, a small fishing village of 300 on the East Coast of Newfoundland. I wasn’t much good in the woods or in the boat. In fact, my dad’s advice to me was, “Be a preacher or you’ll starve to death.”

The first four disciples Jesus called were fishermen. That says something to me about the value of the skills one needs to employ to be an effective fisherman and the transferability of those skills.

1) Make Sure the Anchor Holds

My favourite picture of dad is of him holding the rope to make sure the anchor is not slipping.  When it catches on the ocean floor he gives the order to drop the fishing gear.

Hebrews 2:1 says: “We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.”

2) Know the Grounds: The ocean floor

The Jewish religious leaders often challenged Jesus. Jesus knew their thoughts, his audience, the religion, politics and culture of his day.

Jesus was close to the ordinary men, women and children. For me, these things equate with cultural awareness.

3) Know Your Gear : Your equipment

Dad knew the strengths and weaknesses of the trap. He knew when to mend or make a new trap bottom.

The Temptation of Jesus (Matthew 4:1-11) illustrates the value of knowing the Word and how to use it.  The Holy Spirit will help with that.  We put it into our memory and he brings it to the foreground just when we need to use it.

4) Know the Tides

Dad let me tie up the boat one evening, just one evening.  I forgot about the tides. The bow of the boat was barely above water while the stern reached for the sky when the tides rose.

The tides were high that night in Gethsemane.(Matthew 26: 36-46)

What an opportunity to learn about the power of prayer by watching and praying with the Master himself.  But alas, the disciples slept through the greatest prayer meeting the world has ever seen.

Know the tides in your life. They are powerful. They are opportunistic. They are Dangerous.

5) Know Your Boat: Yourself

You need to know what your boat can take:

The load:

  • How much it can carry
  • How you must distribute it
  • When you must lighten it
  • When you must give some of it away
  • There is only so much stress you can handle, even if the cargo is precious, know yourself, know what to carry, know what to jettison, know when to do it.

The Storms:

  • How much your boat can take
  • How to handle it in the storm
  • The storm will come, know how to handle it before it happens.

6) Know Your Way Home

Sudden storms are unexpected and can be dangerous.  You need to be ready for them.  Keep your eye on the horizon, not the bow of your boat.

Know what’s going on in the boat. Know what’s going on around the boat.

7) Respect the Skipper

John 7:16 says: “My teaching is not my own it comes from he who sent me…”

Don’t argue with the skipper in the midst of the storm, you must trust His judgment, leadership and decisions.

Conclusion:

You can split your fish carelessly, salt it carelessly, fail to make it properly by leaving it in the sun too long, not turning it over, or not taking it in when the weather turns bad, but when culling time comes you will regret your negligence for only the choice fish will bring joy to the buyer and reward to the seller.

Eventually, every person’s work will be tested, culled.  Judgment is coming.  How will your work stand up?

Original source for the blog was a message preached at The Salvation Army Oshawa. To listen click below
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Code of Conduct for all Mission Partners of The Salvation Army in Canada and Bermuda

1. Purpose
To provide mission partners with guidelines regarding their expected behaviour while undertaking work on behalf of TSA. The code of conduct states TSA’s commitment to operating in an ethical and legal manner that aligns with TSA’s mission, vision, values and Orders and Regulations. The code of conduct serves as a foundational standard for other conduct-related operating policies.

2. Basic Principles
All mission partners are expected to behave in ways that are aligned with TSA’s mission and values.

2.1. Mission Statement:
The Salvation Army exists to share the love of Jesus Christ, meet human needs and be a transforming influence in the communities of our world.

2.2. Vision Statement
We are an innovative partner, mobilized to share hope wherever there is hardship, building communities that are just and know the love of Jesus.

2.3. Core Values:
Hope: We give hope through the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Service: We reach out to support others without discrimination.
Dignity: We respect and value each other, recognizing everyone’s worth.
Stewardship: We responsibly manage the resources entrusted to us.

3. Conduct Expectations
The code of conduct provides guidelines for mission partner conduct. The code of conduct cannot cover every possible situation; mission partners are responsible for considering each issue in the context of TSA’s mission and values, recognizing that individual conduct may be understood as a reflection of TSA’s values, image, integrity and public trust. If a mission partner is unsure of a situation and needs guidance about their conduct or has concerns about the conduct of another person, they should speak with their supervisor or HR/officer personnel representative.

Mission partners will:
3.1. Comply with TSA policies and procedures.
3.2. Follow all applicable laws and at no time participate in, or assist others to participate in, any illegal, criminal or unethical activities.
3.3. Conduct themselves at all times with honesty, integrity and transparency.
3.4. Perform their defined duties to the best of their ability.
3.5. Treat others, including other mission partners, funders, clients and the public, with respect, dignity, fairness and courtesy.
3.6. Promote and support a work environment that is inclusive of all people and respects their unique abilities, strengths and differences.
3.7. Identify actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interest and disclose them to their supervisor to help minimize or eliminate the impact of such conflicts, which could influence or appear to influence their judgment and actions. Refer to GV 01.003 Conflict of Interest policy for additional direction and requirements.
3.8. Collect, use and disclose confidential information only in accordance with TSA policy and applicable privacy laws. Ensure all records, documents and communications are accurate and that privacy is maintained as required by GV
01.009 Privacy.
3.9. Conduct all business, service and ministry activities in a responsible manner, consistent with TSA’s values of hope, service, dignity and stewardship.
3.10. Always strive to create and maintain the highest health, safety, wellness and environmental standards in all facilities and work areas.
3.11. Take every reasonable precaution to protect the safety of oneself and others and report accidents (however minor) and near-misses (accidents that almost happened), risky behaviours, and instances where equipment and/or building
deficiencies could compromise the safety of a workplace.
3.12. Use information technology, including internet and email, in a professional and appropriate manner, in accordance with TSA policy (IT 02.001 Computers and Information Technology Acceptable Use).
3.13. Ensure they are fit to work and able to perform assigned duties as required by their job description safely, satisfactorily and in compliance with HR 10.002 Substance Impairment in the Workplace.

TSA expects mission partners will not:
3.14. Act in a discriminatory, harassing or violent way toward others.
3.15. Use their position in order to gain an advantage over or exploit the vulnerability of others.
3.16. Destroy or take for personal use any items belonging to or safeguarded by TSA without prior written approval.
3.17. Solicit (money or goods) from clients, donors, vendors, contractors or any person in a position to benefit from their association with TSA. Mission partners will adhere to the requirements of HR 04.002 Gifts, Speaking Fees, and Testimonials policy.
3.18. Give the appearance that they are speaking on behalf of TSA when not authorized to do so or engage in any activity that would negatively impact TSA’s reputation, brand or public image, including the use of personal social media
accounts.
3.19. Initiate contact with the media or respond to their inquiries, and instead will refer all media inquiries to their supervisor, their public relations representative or TSA’s communications department.
3.20. Use, abuse or misuse paid time, TSA resources or the equipment assigned to them.
3.21. Misuse their authority, abuse power, act irresponsibly, retaliate against someone who reports misconduct or exclude others from workplace events.

4. Officers: Orders and Regulations
In the event of a conflict between the provisions of the code of conduct and Orders and Regulations, the latter shall take precedence.

5. Violation of the Code
If a mission partner believes the law, the code of conduct or TSA’s policies may have been violated or are about to be violated, they should inform their supervisor or report their concern through the Whistleblower hotline (see GV 01.008 Whistleblower policy).

Violation of the code of conduct is a serious matter and could result in disciplinary action up to and including termination.