Growth, while often desirable, is usually accompanied by pruning, both in our personal and pastoral lives. And pruning often is joined by pain. In today’s episode John and Jim outline four reasons pruning brings more fruit at home and at the church we lead.

Growth often starts with painful pruning. Two examples:

• Gideon
• The apple tree

Gardening expert Yate’s Harrison: four reasons pruning a fruit tree produces more fruit by:

Reason 1: Reducing the number of stems, branches, and leaves that may be competing for the resources which your plant needs to produce fruit

• A common mistake we make as leaders is taking on too many initiatives. Jesus said, “I can only do what I see My Father doing.”

Reason 2: Ensuring your plants are healthy enough to produce good quality fruit, through the removal of any diseased or dead branches or stems

• What personal habits of ours are “diseased or dead?”
• What organizational activities or programs are “diseased or dead?”

Reason 3: Providing additional sunlight, and thus energy for fruit production, by thinning out the plant

• Pruning paves the way for less hurried time with our Heavenly Father.

Reason 4: Decreasing the weight of the branches, reducing the possibility of them breaking under the burden of the fruit

• Producing much fruit, while intoxicating in the moment, also brings weight with it. If our inner life doesn’t keep up, success will likely crush us.

Jesus taught us He is the Vine, and we are the branches. He said: “Every branch that does bear fruit, He (our Heavenly Father) prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.”

 Putting the Good in Goodbye book