“A successful person has the energy to create something, to keep control over its development,     and to make it available in large quantities.  Success brings many rewards and often fame. Fruits, however, come from weakness and vulnerability.  And fruits are unique.  A child is the fruit conceived in vulnerability, community is the fruit born through shared brokenness, and intimacy is the fruit that grows through touching one another’s wounds.”

I don’t know where Nouwen might have taken this thought had he developed it further.  But my mind and heart connects it to the fruit of the Spirit and a reminder for all of us who are church leaders about keeping our aim on biblical success.

The list of fruit in Galatians 5 and the imagery in John 15 are clear.  John 15:16-17 is a great summary:

16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit--fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 17 This is my command: Love each other.

Metaphors often break down if you push them too hard or too long.  They aren’t meant to stand a courtroom trial, only to open a window or picture of insight.  So perhaps we don’t need to wrestle with the perishable nature of fruit – back again to things that don’t last.  But if you will allow me a little creative license, I think the idea still holds together.  It’s true that fruit doesn’t last, it will spoil, even rot and be wasted.  Unless, it is used for its intended purpose.  Then the delicate, nurturing, short-lived, appealing, fragile, easily bruised and refreshing food becomes life-sustaining.

From the fear that Joshua faced to the delicate nature of the fruit of the Spirit within us, we gain insight to what God might have us to understand if we care to see a difference between success and fruit.  I think definitions matter.  What will last and what won’t last matters.  It’s not my desire to offer “answers” in this article, but only to stir your thoughts and give you and opportunity to reflect and connect with the Holy Spirit’s wisdom for you and your church.

Lest you think there is absolutely nothing practical in this article.  Let me say that it’s easy to assess success with such things as your worship attendance, how many campuses you have, and your budget numbers.  It’s easy to look at a new worship auditorium and feel successful.  It’s easy to see a thriving Sunday School attendance or large number of missionaries and be impressed.  These are all good things, but what will last?  It’s the fruit of changed lives.