Grapes Grow on New Wood

Recently at a presentation of Large Church pastors, Dr. David McAllister-Wilson, president of Wesley Theological Seminary said an amazing thing: “grapes only grow on one-year old wood.”  He was not talking about gardening, of course, but about church growth and the “fruit” of evangelism, which are new souls won for Christ.  In John 15:2 Jesus reminds us that those who bear fruit will be pruned so they can bear even more fruit.  That is so the wood is always new so the growth can keep happening.

                

As pastors and lay persons committed to the ministry of Jesus Christ, how can you be more effective?  Is there something that needs to be pruned from your life that is getting in the way of witness or effectiveness?   Pruning is not a pleasant experience but it is more unpleasant not to be pruned.  Making disciples is our goal.  To stay as we are leads to decline and death.  To choose to change and be pruned leads to growth and life.  Choose life.