There are no overnight successes, with fruit trees, or in ministry.

In reading several articles this past weekend, I came across a statement that I find so prevalent for ministry today. Why is it that so many ministry leaders have such a difficult time staying on course? Perhaps it is the very reason the majority of churches in North America are plateaued and declining. Is it the excitement and intrigue of finding the next best thing, the latest, greatest ministry concept or program? Perhaps it is boredom with what we’ve been trying for the past six months. Or, could it be that we have a generation of ADHD ministry leaders?

There is a lot of good processes and resources available for ministry today. Granted, there are some not so good as well – at least not for every situation. A program or ministry that worked well in one location, may not be right for another church in a different setting. The programs and processes used to reach people living in the inner city may not be as effective in rural or suburban America. When we learn of something that “worked” for another church, we need not try to copy it. A copy is never as good as the original. Instead, we need to capture the principle. Principles cross all timelines, cultural, and racial barriers. Bring the principles of success to your ministry. Then apply those principles to your ministry endeavors. Do not copy models, capture principles. This is where true success is found, Godly, biblical principles.

While I truly believe the effectiveness of any church has as its foundation these Godly, biblical based principles, this is not the key to which I am driven to write about today. The sentence I read which produced my thought process and spurring of writing this post is; “All of the senior leaders must stay involved.” This is so vital for church leaders. And yet it is lacking in so many of our churches. Even when we find a “good thing” and begin to work it, it is not long before we are ready to move on to something newer, bigger, promising better results. As church leaders we need a better stick to it mentality.

I planted two apple trees on my property several years ago. I did not expect to reap a harvest the first few years. But that did not stop me from watering, spraying, pruning, and fertilizing those trees. Three years went by, four, then five. Those trees are now producing fruit. But it took time and patience. If I had treated those trees like we treat ministry processes in the church, I would have cut them down after the first year and planted peach trees expecting peaches in one year.

There are no overnight successes, with fruit trees, or in ministry. The leadership of the church must prayerfully decide which processes to pursue. Then like the fruit trees, we must patiently care for and nurture those processes, even when we see no fruit in sight. It takes three to five years for a fruit tree to bear fruit (some longer). It also takes three to five years to change the culture of a church or other organization (sometimes longer). When you start something and you have not given it three to five years before moving on to try some newer, “better” idea, your biggest accomplishment is informing your members that we do not stick to anything around here.

Capture the principles, find the right process for your ministry environment. Then stick with it. When you tire of it, thinking you’ve seen read, and heard it enough, your people are just getting it. Press on. Stay the course and stay involved.

George Yates is a church health strategist assisting churches, leaders, and individuals across North America in understanding and fulfilling their God-given purpose.