Fruitfulness means the ability to accomplish as much as possible with the resources God provides. Considering God’s infinite gifts, I have understood that many operate far below the capacities God has granted them.

“The man who had received five talents brought the other five and said, ‘Master, you entrusted me with five talents; see, I have gained five more.’ His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ The man with two talents also came and said, ‘Master, you entrusted me with two talents; see, I have gained two more.’” —Matthew 25:20–22

The servants in the parable above were not judged strictly by their faithfulness but by the results of their fruitfulness. Faithfulness to God must always lead to fruitfulness, evidenced by numerical growth.

“His master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy servant! So, you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers so that when I returned, I would have received it back with interest.’” —Matthew 25:26–27

Clearly, this servant was faithful because he did not squander his master’s money. He kept it safe and returned it intact. He was neither a thief nor a reckless spender of his master’s resources. He faithfully accounted for what was entrusted to him. However, though he was faithful, he was not fruitful, and thus he was punished.

In fact, he was called a “wicked person.” Are these harsh words? Could God be saying the same about you and your ministry? We are not called to privatize our gifts in ministry but to use them to bring growth to God’s visible kingdom.

Some pastors of stagnant congregations soothe their consciences by saying that bearing fruit refers to spiritual growth. This is the growth of Christian character. I often hear this: “My congregation is not growing numerically, but it is growing spiritually.”

In truth, spiritual growth contributes to numerical growth. Mature pastors evangelize, and mature congregations evangelize. You cannot have one without the other.

God desires both faithfulness and fruitfulness from His servants. Our calling is to bear fruit for the glory of God. This is clearly evidenced in the following Scripture:

“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.“ —John 15:16

If you fail to bear fruit in ministry, then you fail your primary calling. As good stewards, faithfulness and fruitfulness are both expected of us.

Fruitfulness in church ministry means the growth of our churches. A stagnant ministry is a barren ministry. Stagnant ministries bring no glory to God, but growing ministries glorify Him. People see the wonderful things God is doing through His servants and return thanks and praise to Him.

“This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.“ —John 15:8

“So that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.“ —Colossians 1:10

I want you to reflect on this: when Jesus saw the fig tree that bore no fruit, He cursed it to death (Matthew 21:19–21; Mark 11:12–14). Is this a warning to fruitless churches? Or consider the Jews who lost the kingdom because they failed to bear fruit (Matthew 21:43). Does this loss apply to pastors of stagnant churches?

I want God’s servants to embrace the desire to bear fruit after reading this book. I have spent much time praying for this work. I hope it will inspire its readers with “hormones” of spiritual growth so their ministries will flourish.

This text is an excerpt from the book “From Small to Medium to Mega” written by Bishop Charles Agyinasare.

We invite you to read the following article: “Church Growth: The Miracle Service Strategy.”