Repairing the Nets: Preparing the Church for Discipleship

I had been thinking and reflecting while listening during the plenary lectures in Daliasat: Aldersgate Mission Conference 2025. While I am in this spree, I was able to point my self to the importance of repairing the nets as we are relearning Discipleship during the conference. You know it very well that nets are the most effective tools in catching fish even there many sophisticated ways introduced nowadays.

The imagery of mending or repairing nets is deeply rooted in the New Testament. When Jesus called Simon Peter and Andrew to follow Him, they were casting their nets into the sea, while James and John were repairing theirs (Matthew 4:18-22). This act of preparation is a fitting metaphor for the church’s task in readying itself for effective discipleship. Just as fishermen ensure their nets are whole and functional before casting them into the water, the church must be intentional in equipping itself to fulfill its mission of making disciples.

Understanding the Broken Nets

In the context of discipleship, broken nets symbolize the challenges, weaknesses, and divisions that hinder the church from being a faithful vessel for Christ’s mission. These could include a lack of spiritual maturity, inadequate leadership, ineffective ministries, or a failure to engage with the cultural and social realities of the modern world. Much like torn nets allow fish to escape, these issues prevent the church from fully embracing and nurturing those it is called to disciple.

One of the most significant challenges today is the fragmentation within the body of Christ. Whether through denominational splits, generational gaps, or differences in theological emphasis, disunity diminishes the church’s witness. Similarly, the neglect of holistic ministry—where churches focus exclusively on spiritual concerns while ignoring social, emotional, and economic needs—results in an incomplete presentation of the gospel.

Repairing the Nets: Key Areas of Preparation

1. Reinforcing Spiritual Foundations
   Discipleship begins with a deep, abiding relationship with Christ. For the church to disciple others, its members must first embody the principles of the faith. This involves returning to the spiritual disciplines of prayer, Scripture reading, fasting, and worship. The church must invest in teaching sound doctrine and nurturing a love for God and neighbor, which forms the cornerstone of authentic discipleship.
2. Empowering Leadership
   Effective discipleship requires leaders who are equipped to guide others in their faith journeys. Repairing the nets involves training pastors, lay leaders, and ministry heads to model servant leadership and provide mentorship. Programs like the Lay Servant Ministry in the United Methodist Church or the establishment of Lay Ministry Academies can play a vital role in fostering leaders who are rooted in Scripture, missionally minded, and spiritually grounded.
3. Building a Culture of Community
   The early Wesleyan movement, with its bands, classes, and societies, provides a model for cultivating discipleship through small, accountable communities. By fostering relationships where believers can share their struggles, victories, and growth, the church creates an environment where faith can flourish. Repairing the nets means establishing spaces for authentic connection, especially in a world increasingly marked by isolation.
4. Engaging with the Mission Field
   Just as fishermen go to where the fish are, the church must be willing to engage the world around it. This includes understanding the cultural and social realities of the community and contextualizing the gospel without compromising its truth. For rural and urban contexts alike, strategies must be developed that speak to the specific needs and challenges of those settings. Digital ministry, social justice advocacy, and community development initiatives are all tools the church can use to cast its nets effectively.
5. Embracing Holistic Discipleship
   True discipleship addresses the whole person—spiritually, emotionally, and physically. The church must move beyond simply converting individuals to Christ and focus on nurturing them into mature disciples who live out their faith in every aspect of life. This includes teaching stewardship, fostering healthy relationships, and encouraging members to use their talents and resources in service to God and others.

Casting the Repaired Nets

Once the nets are repaired, they are ready to be cast into the sea. Similarly, when the church has prepared itself through spiritual renewal, leadership development, community building, cultural engagement, and holistic discipleship, it is equipped to fulfill the Great Commission. This preparation ensures that the church not only draws people in but also retains and nurtures them, transforming them into disciple-makers who will continue the cycle.

As the church casts its nets into the waters of the world, it must trust in the guidance of the Holy Spirit, remembering that the work of discipleship is ultimately God’s work. Just as Jesus instructed His disciples to cast their nets on the other side of the boat (John 21:6), the church must remain open to divine direction, even when it challenges conventional wisdom or comfort zones.

Conclusion

“Repairing the nets” is a call for the church to take a hard look at itself, acknowledge its brokenness, and commit to the hard work of preparation. This is not a one-time effort but an ongoing process, as the demands of discipleship require constant vigilance and renewal. By investing in spiritual growth, leadership development, community, mission, and holistic care, the church can become a faithful fisher of men, bringing souls into the kingdom and preparing them for lives of discipleship.

As Jesus called His disciples from the shores of Galilee, He calls the church today to repair its nets and follow Him into the deep waters of mission and ministry. The question remains: are we ready to heed His call?