Part 1

While in Alaska last month, my wife and I were able to spend our anniversary in the sea-port of Homer.

In the morning, before breakfast, Nicole and I took a walk down the beach and then into the harbour, where an array of fishing vessels dock. Among them, were boats outfitted for catching Homer’s famed halibut and some larger tug-boats.

Yet, the largest of all were the commercial fishing boats with large machinery on the decks, including cranes to lift in giant nets of fish or crab pots. One such ship who ports in Homer, Alaska, is famous as one Discovery Network’s Deadliest Catch vessels, named the Time Bandit.

These Ships Face Storms

These ships face some of the most vicious waters that God’s created earth holds. These vessels are truly awesome innovations of man’s intelligence and engineering.

As we walked and I pictured these vessels in open sea, violently tossed to and fro; my attention turned to their life-saving equipment? Considering the waters that these ships enter, what good would they be without state-of-the-art safety equipment?

Obviously, GPS and weather mapping devices would be crucial, for preventative measures, to steer far from the innumerable dangers that the seas hold. The ship’s radio is used constantly from port and throughout the duration of the voyage.

Life-Vests Are Essential

As for the Sea-men themselves, they would not attempt deck-work without life-vests. In really rough waters, body harnesses and tethering may be used to save them from going over board.

However, most of these are preventive pieces of equipment. What if the unthinkable takes place and the vessel is going down? What if the crew must abandon ship, plunging themselves into the violent arctic waters?

Though not considered high-tech equipment and very rarely released, many would say that the lifeboats are the most valuable pieces of safety equipment on any ship daring to sail the high seas.

Life-Boats

When all is lost and all other resources have expired, the life-boats are released. A sailor’s last resort, to save their lives. Metaphorically, you and I are currently residing in a lifeboat. The church that you attend is one such lifeboat.

Perhaps, our churches would embrace outreach more whole-heartedly if we viewed our churches as lifeboats? You and I are have been saved and we are called to join in the work of saving others; who still may be drowning.

Check back tomorrow, and we’ll take a closer look at church-lifeboats and their increased ability to outreach!

Join the Conversation, Leave Your Thoughts

How do you see the universal church functioning as a fleet of lifeboats?