Low Tech Success

There's a reproduction of an old Norman Rockwell magazine cover push pinned to my bulletin board... two fisherman and a dog. It's the return trip home. One man is decked out in fine fly fishing apparel - waders, fly rod, fishing vest, fishing creel, hat with assorted flys attached. His friend, in patched suspendered jeans is balancing an old cane pole on his shoulder... worm and bobber still dangling on the line. The high tech fisherman is shuffling along, smoking a pipe looking at the ground...holding only his fly rod. His body language suggests it wasn't a good day. Frankly, the dog looks happier than he does! His less than high tech friend on the other hand, head forward, glancing at his buddy out of the corner of his eye with a smirk on his face, is carrying three fine looking trout - not on a stringer but on a stick!
This painting speaks volumes to ministers. How easy it is for us to focus our attention on the latest technology and think....this is what makes fishing/ministry successful, but alas, I don't have that. Why was the cane pole worm throwing fisherman successful? He knew where the fish were and he knew what they wanted and needed. Ah....experience! God never intended ministry to be complicated. He says simply, partner with me. Use the tried and true you have (remember David's low tech stones?). Let me do the work. The technology will follow.
Hang in there Pastor. Tight lines!
- Tim Covert