Ever see 1 tree produce 5 different kinds of fruit?
Neither had I until I witnessed it in person!
The tree in this photograph is planted in my youngest son’s backyard in the Yakima Valley (WA). This region is one of the most fertile areas in our country for all kinds of fruit trees. Its weather is typically mild and dry, having the characteristics of both maritime and continental climates. The summers are dry and hot yet, due to the dry air, there is a rapid fall in temperatures after sunset. And apple trees and other plants love it!
As you can see for yourself, 1 tree trunk is providing all the nourishment that is needed to support the branches of 5 kinds of apples that have been grafted into it. Note the different branch colors and related horticultural classification tags.
Bottom line: This tree is an amazingly concise way to summarize one of my core convictions:
Jesus the Messiah commissioned 5 types of leadership giftings to work together to resource His Church and daily, He sustains five-fold teams that remain in Him (Eph 4:11-16).
Unfortunately, pope-like leadership appears to be much more prevalent within Jesus’ Church these days, rather than His team-based philosophy.
When you read your Bible, what are you seeing in regards to Jesus’ ideals for Kingdom leadership?
Pressing on to understand and embrace Jesus’ five-fold philosophy!
