I am ready for the new life, sunshine, and the fresh produce of Spring! Especially since the first day of Spring we received the “gift” of cold weather and snow in Owensboro. This led me to remember when I was a student in seminary.  

I had a professor say that the church needed to be “fruitier”. I must admit that I found the statement to be a little ironic and humorous. Then I read these compelling words from Lesslie Newbigin:

The Church is the sign and first-fruit and instrument [of the kingdom]. If this is done, the Church will be delivered from the tendency to turn in upon itself and will always be turned outward to the world. It will know itself to be wholly committed in every part to the task of witness to the world in word and in service. It will understand that participation in Christ means participation in His mission to the world, and that therefore true pastoral care, true training in the Christian life, and true use of the means of grace will precisely be in and for the discharge of this missionary task. ~ Lesslie Newbigin; The Household of God

Our current process of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world was designed for a Christendom churched culture in which congregations were led to think that if we just have the right type of music, biggest children’s ministry, most exiting program that people will just show up and want to join in. Today’s Post-Christendom culture is unwilling to just show up and does just the opposite and just stays away. That is when we must become better branches grafted into the vine of Christ himself. When we graft ourselves into the vine of Christ and allow the Great Gardener, God the Father, to prune us. Then we make possible for the Holy Spirit to move through us in order that we may produce fruit.

The only way for us to become “fruitier”, so that we might join God in making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world, is for us to get up from our pews, leave the walls of the church building and build relationships with people in the world around us. To love people in joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Instead of waiting for people to come to us and find God, we must realize that if we ourselves want to be in the presence of God we must go into the city of Owensboro. We must make efforts to introduce Christ to the least, the last, and the lost of the world. Will you join me in becoming “fruiter”?

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Kaury