Successful or Fruitful?

From the fear that Joshua faced to the delicate nature of the fruit of the Spirit within us, we gain insight to what God might have us to understand if we care to see a difference between success and fruit. I think definitions matter. What will last and what won’t last matters. It’s not my desire to offer “answers” in this article, but only to stir your thoughts and give you and opportunity to reflect and connect with the Holy Spirit’s wisdom for you and your church.

Lest you think there is absolutely nothing practical in this article. Let me say that it’s easy to assess success with such things as your worship attendance, how many campuses you have, and your budget numbers. It’s easy to look at a new worship auditorium and feel successful. It’s easy to see a thriving Sunday School attendance or large number of missionaries and be impressed. These are all good things, but what will last? It’s the fruit of changed lives.

I think fruit may look more like a little kid in the 4 year old room who is scared and wants his mom, but for just a few minutes got a picture of Jesus’ love from a volunteer teacher. Fruit that lasts may be more about a young pastor who is unsure about his leadership who gets honest before God and the people he leads. The fruit of John 15 may be more about the heart of a congregation rather than the size of a congregation.

If you are thinking “I know all this.” Then let me ask you which you get more excited about. Go ahead, no one is listening, be honest. Do you get more excited about a day with a big attendance and a sermon that was really good or about a quiet and little known story of someone who took just a small step toward Jesus? I think when leaders are honest about it that’s a tough question, because everyday pressures pull us away from cultivating fruit.

Are these things mutually exclusive? No. Big buildings and changed-lives can absolutely go together. My point is that they won’t go together if you don’t fight with everything you have to make it so. With your brokenness and Jesus strength, with your gifts and the Holy Spirit’s power, give your leadership to lessen the difference between success and fruit. Think about these questions. Where does your time and energy go? What gets you excited? What discourages you? What keeps you awake at night? What fires up your congregation? What de-motivates them? Your answers to these questions will give you insight to the issue of success or fruit in your church.

Success or fruit—semantics or reality? That’s for you and God to wrestle down. My prayer is that we all wrestle this and give ourselves to the things that last.

Be blessed and thanks for all you do!

This article is used by permission from Dr. Dan Reiland’s free monthly e-newsletter The Pastor’s Coach available at www.INJOY.com. Copyright 2007, INJOY PO Box 2782, Suwanee, GA 30024.

Tags: fruitful, successful

Category: Ministry