Thirty-six-year-old Damola Adamolekun is Red Lobster's new CEO and is leading one of the greatest turnarounds in the restaurant industry. He was featured on Fortune magazine’s 100 Most Powerful People in Business list after having previously rescued P.F. Chang’s.1 So, what do restaurants and churches have in common? They both find success when they work strategically and effectively to reach their respective communities. Sometimes in church life we forget that.

Mark 1:17 reports “Follow me,” Jesus told them, “and I will make you fish for people.”

Jesus said, “I will make you fish for people” to trained and experienced fisherman. Most of us, however, have never been fishing. We need to remember four things if we are to fish for people and strategically reach our community.

“Follow me,” Jesus told them, “and I will make you fish for people.”

Mark 1:17 CSB

1. Believe

We must truly believe the gospel matters, the gospel works, and the people are worth saving. My first job when I went to seminary was at a store with super trendy clothing for teenage boys. I quit after the first day because I did not believe in the product. True fishermen believe that fish matter.

2. Love

If you only see the fish as smelly, slimy, hard to clean, and possessing too many bones, you do not love the fish. Search the Scriptures and notice that when Jesus encountered sinners, he always led with love. When Jesus had harsh words, it was typically toward the church people. Care, feed, defend, heal, help—these are the ways Jesus taught us to love people into the kingdom. People respond when we lead with love.

3. Understand

Fisherman do not stand on the shore anticipating fish will jump out of the ocean and into their cooler. No, they answer and act upon some basic questions: What kind of fish are available? Where are the fish? When is the best time? What will draw them? What techniques will capture them?

4. Clean

Some of us want to clean new Christians like a fisherman scales and cleans new fish. This is way too fast and rough. The gentle way of discipleship is “to make her holy, cleansing her with the washing of water by the word.” (Ephesians 5:26) I am so very grateful for the parents, pastors, pedagogists, and prayer partners who lovingly poured God’s Word into and over my life.

What do Red Lobster, P.F. Chang’s, Apple, Tesla, Nike, Coca Cola, Dunkin’ Donuts, Stove Top Stuffing, and your church all have in common?2 They all had to change the way they saw their community and then refine their strategy to reach them.