An SHN Fishnet group is a different approach to church outreach.  The purpose of hosting a Fishnet group is to provide hurting people a non-threatening atmosphere.  There is also no commitment requested of anyone invited to a Fishnet.  Hosting such a ministry, can position the church to reach people it wouldn’t ordinarily have an inroad.  Then, after time and friendships are built through your Fishnet, people will discover your church.  The best things about this process is that it happens organically.  

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There are people hurting everywhere.  It doesn't matter whether you live in a large city or rural countryside.  Many of the people in churches, ministries, and organizations meet these folks daily.  When we reach out to these good folks, sometimes it can be difficult to connect with them.  One of the primary reasons is because they have been hurt previously by a church or ministry in the past.  Whether this is accurate or not, this is what they believe deep in their hearts.  In other cases, people may just be hurting because of life and there is no reference to former church experiences.  An invitation to a church, meeting, or any other related ministry can be a huge turn off for them.  Immediately, there reaction can be, “I want nothing to do with that” for whatever reason.  I know, I was in that place.  

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As a pastor or church member you may be asking, “what does this have to do with me?”  Well, I know every church and ministry has a burden to reach out to hurting people and the lost.  The challenge can be that many of these people could be in a similar place where I was in one way or another. Just like I didn't want anything to do with church, fellowship, or even think about talking to someone.  Neither do many of the folks you're trying to reach. An invitation to church or listening to a message has an immediate negative impact on many because of their experiences. Both Christian and non-Christian.  

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A Safe Harbor Network “Dock can hopefully be an asset to you.  A few people from any local church can sponsor a local expression in your area. Everyone in your congregation will meet various people who are hurting deeply for numerous reasons. One of their family members has been diagnosed with cancer.  A couple that you know is on the verge of divorce.  Someone's son or daughter was just paralyzed in an auto accident. Or you're aware of someone struggling deeply in drug addiction or alcoholism. As you know, these are only a few examples of the everyday people you potentially run into throughout your lives. Reaching them through a Safe Harbor Network Dock would be a much less intimidating and easier transition for them to plug into initially. They could tune in online from their very own homes to whatever this ministry has to offer them. Even Sunday morning meetings!  Hopefully they will become much more comfortable in this setting as a potential transition stage. Your group leads them in Safe Harbor Network life.  Keep something in mind, you haven't even mentioned your church yet.

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Safe Harbor network does not exist to assimilate people in your area into our ministry.  The idea is to give these good people who are hurting a nonthreatening platform in order to heal.  As your church folks stick with them in Safe Harbor Network, they also begin to earn their trust. Friendships will undoubtedly form. Remember something, Jesus was a friend of the tax gatherers and sinners. Through an organic relationship that your church members begin to form with these fine people, they will find out the reason why their lives have been radically changed.  Some of your church members will have a testimony and story to tell that these folks will easily relate to. Through this real and growing friendship, these people will come to understand what church their new friends go to.  It's through this kind of organic friendship and trust where you will have the confidence of these folks. Therefore, at a certain point in time an invitation to your church will seem to be a natural transition. It may take three months, six months, or even a few years. But hopefully, these folks will wind up in your attendance on Sunday mornings.

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But it doesn't end with a “mission accomplished” mentality.  Because now that these people have been ministered to in a real and caring way.  They now become the natural additions to your churches’ Safe Harbor Network ministry.  Now they have a story to tell. I believe their natural motivation will be the same as mine. Once you come out of the deepest darkest place in your life and see the light again, the first thing you want to do is tell others.  Just like the woman at the well did. When Jesus had read her mail and then told her “I who speak to you am he.” She went out into all the countryside and told everyone, “Come see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ?”  Now you have zealous Christians, or even better brand-new Christians wanting to go and do the same.

What gives Safe Harbor Network the credibility to be in a place where these hurting people can relate and trust us?  Let's first start with me. If you, or anyone else reads “My Story,” they will discover a man who went from the heights of ministry to the point of desperately pleading with God to take his life. Not only me, but most of the people who will be involved with Safe Harbor Network will have a story to tell just like me. Let me be very pointed; No one can understand the pain and torment of losing a child other than someone else who has lost a child. That example goes for whatever an individual is experiencing.  Safe Harbor Network will be full of these types of people who can relate specifically to their troubles.  

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The good news is for you as a pastor or member is all the services and resources will be provided for you. You will not have to invent the wheel or spend large amounts of time coming up with all these ministry services which would be an overwhelming task for one local church.  As the word Safe Harbor Network goes out there will undoubtedly be small groups forming in various geographical areas.  We will incorporate these groups into the larger umbrella of this network and care for them. However, if you would like to have and affiliation with us, whenever we would meet anyone who wants to become a part of SHN in your area, we would direct them to your chapter.  

To learn more about me and Safe Harbor Network there are other documents attached for your review and consideration. Moving forward, we hope to eventually provide a counseling ministry that is accredited, Sunday services for those who are not ready to step into a church setting, and many more helpful resources. Thank you so much for your time and consideration. My thoughts and prayers are with you, as you labor in the fields for the glory of God!