I love to go fishing. I have since I was a little kid. My dad taught me to fish, and my brothers and I grew up spending countless hours at lakes and rivers, rods in hand, soaking up the peace of nature. At one point, we even got into fly fishing—a true art and science that requires patience, precision, and a deep love for the outdoors.

My job, on the other hand, revolves around people, challenges, conflicts, and overcoming barriers. It can feel chaotic at times. Hobbies like fishing, playing music, and building things help me step away from that chaos to enjoy life and experience God in the quieter moments.

Now, let me be clear—I’m not an amazing fisherman. I’d call myself average at best. But that doesn’t stop me from loving it. The thing about fishing is that it requires time, focus, and distance from everyday distractions. You can’t fish effectively while checking emails, taking calls, or trying to multitask. If I tried to combine those worlds, I’d hate the experience and likely catch nothing. For fishing to be enjoyable and fruitful, I have to intentionally step away from the noise and focus on the moment.

It’s interesting to me that Jesus used the phrase “fishing for men” when speaking to Peter and Andrew. He referenced their vocation—something they deeply understood. And while fishing was their livelihood, it also demanded time, focus, and distance from the chaos of life. I believe the same principles apply to how we approach communication, both inside and outside the church.

Effective communication in ministry requires focus, intention, and clarity. When we try to communicate in the midst of chaos, we miss the nuances that make our messages impactful. We risk overwhelming our audience, failing to connect, and ultimately missing the opportunity to “catch” the right people with the right message.

The Problem with Overwhelming Communication

Imagine you’re standing on the edge of a quiet lake, ready to cast your line. Instead of choosing the right bait and focusing on your cast, you start tossing random objects into the water. Not only would you scare away the fish, but you’d waste time and effort with zero results. Sadly, this is how many ministries approach communication.

We’re often tempted to do too much at once: sending general messages, borrowing ideas that don’t fit, or using templated graphics that don’t resonate. In our rush to “get the word out,” we overwhelm our audience with noise instead of clarity.

But here’s the truth: effective communication isn’t about doing more; it’s about doing less, better. It’s about crafting messages that are intentional, clear, and tailored to the audience you’re trying to reach.

Lessons from Fishing: Focus and Strategy

When you’re fishing, you use specific lures, flies, or bait depending on the water and the type of fish you’re targeting. You wouldn’t use the same setup for a trout stream and a deep-sea fishing trip. Yet in ministry, we often take a one-size-fits-all approach to communication.

Here’s how we can apply lessons from fishing to ministry communication:

1. Know Your Audience (Your Fish)

Effective communication starts with knowing who you’re trying to reach. Just like different fish respond to different bait, different groups within your church or community respond to different types of communication. Take time to understand your audience:

• What are their needs, preferences, and challenges?
• How do they prefer to receive information—email, social media, text messages, or face-to-face?
• What messages will resonate with their stage of life, spiritual journey, or interests?

The more you know about your audience, the better you can tailor your communication to meet them where they are.

2. Simplify Your Message (Your Bait)

Fishing requires patience and precision. You don’t throw everything into the water at once. Similarly, effective communication isn’t about saying everything all at once. It’s about delivering a clear, focused message that your audience can grasp.

Ask yourself:

• What is the single most important takeaway for this message?
• How can I say it simply and effectively?
• Am I avoiding unnecessary jargon or complexity?

A clear, simple message is more likely to stick with your audience and inspire action.

3. Time and Intention (Your Cast)

Fishing takes time. You don’t rush the process; you prepare carefully and cast with intention. The same is true for communication. Rushing through the process leads to scattershot efforts that don’t connect.

Take time to:

• Plan your communication strategy.
• Create a schedule that aligns with key ministry events or goals.
• Test your messages to see what resonates and adjust as needed.

4. Be Consistent (Your Patience)

Patience is key in fishing, and it’s equally important in communication. You might not see results immediately, but consistent effort over time builds trust and engagement.

Stay consistent in:

• The tone and style of your messages.
• The frequency of your communication (without overwhelming).
• The channels you use to reach your audience.

Creating Space for Effective Communication

One of the biggest challenges ministry leaders face is the noise of everyday demands. It’s easy to fall into the trap of reactive communication—sending out messages at the last minute, trying to meet deadlines, or simply checking off a box. But reactive communication rarely produces lasting impact.

To communicate effectively, you need to create space for strategy and focus. Here’s how:

1. Schedule Time for Planning

Block out regular time in your calendar to plan your communication. Use this time to:

• Review upcoming events and initiatives.
• Outline key messages and audiences.
• Collaborate with your team to ensure alignment.

2. Delegate and Empower

You don’t have to do everything yourself. Empower a team or volunteers to help with communication tasks like creating content, managing social media, or designing graphics. Equip them with clear guidelines and resources so they can represent your ministry effectively.

3. Step Back to Reflect

Just like fishing requires stepping away from the noise, effective communication requires moments of reflection. Take time to evaluate:

• What’s working and what’s not?
• Are your messages reaching the intended audience?
• How can you improve clarity and effectiveness?

Closing Thoughts: Enjoy the Process

One of the reasons I love fishing is that it’s not just about the catch; it’s about the experience. The same is true for communication. It’s not just about the results—though those are important—but about the process of connecting with people, sharing God’s message, and building relationships.

As ministry leaders, pastors, and nonprofit directors, you have the incredible privilege of communicating hope, truth, and love to your audience. By approaching communication with focus, intention, and a willingness to step back from the chaos, you can create messages that truly resonate.

Remember: you don’t have to do it all. Simplify, strategize, and trust God to use your efforts to make an impact. After all, He’s the ultimate fisherman, and we’re just following His lead.