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All I Need to Know About Ministry I Learned from Fly Fishing
Book by Hamilton, Myrlene L. J.
95 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2001
1 person want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
August 12, 2020
A delightful book that draws upon scripture the author's background fishing, and ministry. There are many creatively told stories that illustrate much of what ministry is all about.
in Luke 5:10, "catching literally means to take them alive. Catch and release. Reel them in for Jesus Christ and the kingdom of God, and then set them lose to become what God has called them to become." (6)
"Old Pennsylvania Dutchman who used to refer to road signs as ministers... because they point to the way, but they don't go there themselves. (37)
"Many people (pastors included) see the church as an aquarium. An aquarium church is a place where Jesus puts all the fish that he catches, and we just sort of swim around together, sometimes admiring one another, sometimes bumping into each other--sometimes, in the case of piranha Christians, eating one another. But the church is not an aquarium. The church is a charter fishing boat. W are the ones who have signed on to go fishing. And Jesus is the fish finder. Just as Jesus found the fish for Simon and his friends, he will direct us to where the 'people fish' are." (47-48)
In fishing, and often in ministry, timing is everything." (49)
Good analogy of all that is needed to fly fish (from the fly, tippet, leader, line, backing, rod, real, net) and Paul's teachings about the parts that make up the church. (51-52)
"When we go fishing for people, we cannot deliver a false product. It's got to be the real thing." (55)
Psalm 46... "Don't forget: there is a river" (59)
"The ministry is not a profession to enter lightly. Your line will get tangled, and you will run into bad weather. Without a strong dose of realism, a budding young pastor may fall into discouragement and doubt." (61)
"Perhaps, like King David, you are not the one to 'build the house.' But you may build the foundation." (78)
The author speaks of catching people for the kingdom, but then releasing them for ministry. (86)
"Failure is not the end, but an opportunity for grace." (87)
in Luke 5:10, "catching literally means to take them alive. Catch and release. Reel them in for Jesus Christ and the kingdom of God, and then set them lose to become what God has called them to become." (6)
"Old Pennsylvania Dutchman who used to refer to road signs as ministers... because they point to the way, but they don't go there themselves. (37)
"Many people (pastors included) see the church as an aquarium. An aquarium church is a place where Jesus puts all the fish that he catches, and we just sort of swim around together, sometimes admiring one another, sometimes bumping into each other--sometimes, in the case of piranha Christians, eating one another. But the church is not an aquarium. The church is a charter fishing boat. W are the ones who have signed on to go fishing. And Jesus is the fish finder. Just as Jesus found the fish for Simon and his friends, he will direct us to where the 'people fish' are." (47-48)
In fishing, and often in ministry, timing is everything." (49)
Good analogy of all that is needed to fly fish (from the fly, tippet, leader, line, backing, rod, real, net) and Paul's teachings about the parts that make up the church. (51-52)
"When we go fishing for people, we cannot deliver a false product. It's got to be the real thing." (55)
Psalm 46... "Don't forget: there is a river" (59)
"The ministry is not a profession to enter lightly. Your line will get tangled, and you will run into bad weather. Without a strong dose of realism, a budding young pastor may fall into discouragement and doubt." (61)
"Perhaps, like King David, you are not the one to 'build the house.' But you may build the foundation." (78)
The author speaks of catching people for the kingdom, but then releasing them for ministry. (86)
"Failure is not the end, but an opportunity for grace." (87)
March 11, 2026
Excellent book. I really connected with chapters 3-4. Would highly recommend anyone in ministry to read it.
One con—the last chapter felt incomplete and rush. Like something more could have been said. But this didn’t detract from the bool quality as a whole.
One con—the last chapter felt incomplete and rush. Like something more could have been said. But this didn’t detract from the bool quality as a whole.
August 15, 2013
Simple reflections relating ministry to fishing. Some good thoughts.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews