Jesus tells a parable about a fig tree. It was planted in order to get fruit, but for three years it produced only leaves. The owner wants the plant uprooted to give another tree the opportunity to produce fruit. The gardener asks for another year. During that time, he would tend the tree: dig around it, fertilize it, water it and prune it. If it was still unfruitful after that, then the decision could be made to cut it down.

This parable has a special application for congregations. Like trees, congregations grow and produce fruit. How much they produce depends on lots of factors: where they are located, how receptive the culture is to the gospel, etc. How long churches live also depends on these and other factors. The average American congregation lasts about 70 years. It goes through cycles of growth, maintenance and decline. How long they live and much fruit they produce depends a lot on how they are tended.

Some churches will fail after only a few years. Just as disease and fire can kill a plant, an immoral action by the leaders (e.g., adultery or embezzlement) or a contentious church fight can kill a congregation. As we tend our congregation, we have to deal with the negative forces that would harm our church. We have to acknowledge old wounds and make sure they have healed properly to prevent a festering infection or blight which would hinder growth.

Other churches last much longer because they have been able to restart the growth cycle and stop the period of decline. Our congregation was planted by Coddle Creek Church, which is over 250 years old. I’m sure they have their issues to contend with, but their longevity shows that they have been tending their tree. Their continuing health is seen by the fact they are preparing to plant another church. We can learn from our sister churches that are healthy.

In the parable, we learn three things. The first is that the owner expects fruit from his trees. God is the owner of the church and expects fruit. We are in the business of making and nurturing disciples of Jesus Christ. That means we should be growing in number and in depth of our commitment to Christ. Churches that do not produce fruit will die. God will remove them. Jesus writes to seven churches in Revelation and warns them that if they do not repent, their candle will be taken away. This ominous message is not popular, but it is from God. God’s judgment is real.

The second thing we learn helps us with the first. The gardener is patient with the tree. The gardener will himself tend the tree to encourage the fruit to develop. God is also the gardener. God is very patient with us. He knows how skittish we are, how we will take two steps up and one step back, or one step up and two back. We should not tremble in fear because God is also the one who provides for our health and fruit. God is not waiting for us to slip up so he can destroy us. God does not give us unlimited time to produce fruit, but it is longer than we deserve and perhaps longer than we would have given ourselves. God loves us and won’t give up on us easily.

The third thing we learn is that there are specific things that can be done to encourage fruit production. Good gardeners learn how to recognize what needs to be done and in what order. Everything needs to be in balance. Your tree looks puny and you water it. It perks up. You water it some more. It starts to wilt again. More water. It is looking worse. What happens if you continue to water it? You might drown it! Does it need more sunlight? You move it and it does better. Later, it does not produce fruit, but the water and light are fine. Maybe it needs fertilizer. That works. It is healthy again. Later it is not doing well. Water’s fine, sunlight’s fine, nutrients are fine. You know what? The pot is too small. It needs to be transplanted.

As this unfolds, you will learn more about what you can do to help us get healthier and more able to make and nurture disciples of Jesus Christ. For right now, I am asking you to pray for this church. I want you to offer a prayer for this congregation every day. Pray for our growth. Pray for our health. Pray that our leaders will see the best way for us to regain better health. Pray that God would lead us here at Lakeside.