I had the awesome privilege to serve as the Regional Director for one of Canada’s largest Evangelical denominations. My eleven years was described in a variety of ways. Many called me a Pastor’s Pastor. Others said I was the Air Traffic Controller to assist Pastors and Church Boards with fine tuning and mid course correction.

“A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any. So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’ “‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.’” (Luke 13:6-9 NIV)

I’ve never owned a vineyard but my role was to pray to our Heavenly Father and work with our Pastors and leaders on a daily basis. My role was to serve our Lord and the people who attended our churches by encouraging and showing our Pastors and leaders how to improve their spiritual and organizational health.

A good friend of mine owns an Ice Cream store. He tells me that milkshakes are almost identical except for a small ingredient. Hmm! He confirms the difference between an awesome strawberry shake and the also ran is only 4%. Milk shakes contain milk, ice, salt, fruit flavor and typically a secret additional ingredient.

The majority of churches have similar components. There is music, a Sunday program, Bible studies, prayer, a Sunday School program, a message and community involvement to name a few. Some churches are producing healthy fruit. Remember the vast difference in milkshakes is due to 4% of ingredients. Does a similar formula hold for churches?

I have the privilege of attending an awesome church. However, are we, (you and I) producing the fruit God intended?

Yours in Service,

Laurie D. Kennedy

Leadership Coach Jethro Group