And What That Means to Leaders . . .
“Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit” (John 15:2).
When a church goes through a corporate healing process, it works hard to address the “root issues” which have hindered its ministry and limited its fruit. They repent of those hindering issues before the Lord: They reconcile with injured parties; they seek to right historic wrongs; they confess to their congregation, their previous leaders and sometimes even their city. Addressing such root issues is necessary for a future fruitful ministry, but sometimes we find that churches then need a little “pruning” too.
Having done the “root work” don’t be surprised if you see Jesus begin to prune your congregation. The question is: How does Jesus “prune” a church? To answer that question we need to review some specific principles related to healthy and unhealthy roots and branches.
Unhealthy churches attract unhealthy “branches.” It is a difficult and painful truth, but sometimes dysfunctional churches attract dysfunctional people. Discerning folk will often recognize something is wrong in the spirit of a dysfunctional church when they walk in the door. They visit but don’t stay. But unhealthy people may be drawn to the ministry, not for healing but because it “fits” their own dysfunction. Does this “like attracts like” principle take place consciously? Not usually. It’s as if our unhealthy relational radar recognizes how well we will graft into a particular sick church. The healing of such a church provides a Divine opportunity for such an unhealthy believer to heal as well, but sometimes they choose not to.
Healthy roots challenge unhealthy “branches.” When a church repents and turns away from its past painful patterns of behavior, its “spiritual atmosphere” changes for the better. Unhealthy people who were attracted to your previously dysfunctional congregation sense this change and it makes them uncomfortable. In fact, they may feel increasingly threatened by your church’s new found health and can begin to act out.
Making the cut. As a church and church’s leaders get healthier, it changes the way they address conflict. Most churches will hear Jesus speak to this when they walk through their history and feel His reproof over conflicts in the past not handled in a godly way. Leaders then confess and repent, but they also learn not to overlook unhealthy reactions or ungodly attitudes when they arise. This can immediately expose people who previously found the church a haven for acting out their unhealthy attitudes and behaviors. The dysfunctional people must now decide: Will we address our personal pain and work toward healing or stay in our dysfunction? The church leadership feels far more empowered to coach them to make the right choice, and the healthy way to face it if they do not.
Pruning should hurt! Some of these troubled individuals and families may decide that their personal pain is too difficult to face. When this happens, they will likely look to leave your increasingly healthy church, but sometimes by making a stink before they go. First off, it should never be the desire of any church leaders to “get rid” of the people Jesus has entrusted to them. And second, if such pruning is necessary, it needs to be grieved, not celebrated. Leaders should always prefer to see the Holy Spirit bring healing and pray toward that end. However, in some cases, wounded people may not be ready for healing and Jesus gives them that choice. They move on rather than address their painful past.
Prune with patience. Church leaders need a tremendous amount of patience with the various “branches” of their church, the same patience Jesus exercises with each of us! Be sensitive to personal pain in people’s lives that often drives their bad behavior. But realize that you may not win and heal them all; some dear folks will choose to move on. Love them anyway and burn no bridges. They may “come to their senses” sometime in the future and remember how you tried to help them. So trust the Lord if they leave and entrust them into His care as they move out from under your “shepherding umbrella.”
You are all being sanctified together. So walk humbly, but walk faithfully as leaders. Realize that Jesus will prune your congregation to increase its fruitfulness, and know all that this may require of you as you become healthier as a church.
How have you seen Jesus prune your church?
Rev. Mark Barnard serves as President of Blessing Point Ministries. Blessing Point works to heal congregations that have been wounded by internal crises. Barnard is the author of several books and coauthor of The Eighth Letter – Jesus Still Speaks! (ChurchSmart 2014)
