Growth often starts with subtraction.
Thousands of years ago, when Israel was being oppressed by the Midianites, God raised up a leader named Gideon to deliver his people from their enemy. When Gideon initially rallied the troops, 32,000 men showed up.
But God said: “That’s too many. Tell all those who are afraid to go home.” 22,000 men left.
But God wasn’t finished. Another divine hoop was presented. 9,700 more men left.
So Gideon, who said “yes” to a leadership call, lost a substantial number of people who started with him. The good news? With 300 men and God’s help, Gideon routed the Midianites, and set Israel free. Growth by subtraction.
When I was seven, my dad planted an apple tree in our backyard. I distinctly remember it being loaded with fruit. Every fall, dad pruned the tree. The pile of branches on the ground looked bigger than the remaining tree. I often thought: “Well Dad, this year you killed the tree.” But when fall arrived, more apples than the year before appeared. Growth by subtraction.
Several weeks ago, I met with a pastor of a church with 1,000 people. When he came to the church 12 years prior, it had 200 people. Only 33 of that original 200 still attend that church. Growth by subtraction.
Jesus said: “Every branch in me that does bear fruit, he (our Heavenly Father) prunes so it will be even more fruitful.” If it were me, I’d leave well enough alone. But God the Father prunes some stuff away that is currently bearing fruit—not for fun—but because he sees what we don’t. He sees potential for more growth. In order to grow, sometimes even good things need to go. Growth by subtraction.
When a leader sets a fresh direction/strategy for an organization or enlarges the building to accommodate growth, it’s almost always accompanied by a few people leaving. It throws some leaders into a panic: “How can anyone not be excited about the direction we’re heading toward? How can they deny the energy/momentum we’re experiencing? Why don’t they see what I see?” From the human perspective, it often doesn’t make sense. But from the divine vantage point, it makes perfect sense. Growth by subtraction.
Why does it seem like God won’t leave well enough alone? Why does he keep pruning? Multiple reasons exist. Let me give you three:
1. Pruning Promotes More Growth
The sworn enemy of future success is today’s success. For a church to get to the next level, pruning is often inevitable. Sometimes pruning takes the form of ending longstanding programs or events. Sometimes pruning manifests by people leaving.
When people can’t or won’t get on board with the vision and/or strategy of their current church, they need to find a church where they can.
2. Pruning Keeps Us Focused
A common mistake some ambitious leaders make is taking on too many initiatives. They try to do 10 things well and end up doing all 10 in mediocre fashion. Much better to be great at two or three things than be middle-of-the-pack in 10.
God keeps pruning because he knows we can’t be all things to all people. I’ve observed churches trimming away events that experienced great turnouts year after year but weren’t contributing significantly to the overall mission. These events were resource hogs in terms of time, people, and dollars that failed to move the ball down the field for those churches. Pruning can be painful, but it keeps us focused.
3. Pruning Keeps Us Humble
It reminds us God is in charge. The organization we lead belongs to him, not us. He brings the growth. When subtraction happens, it often puzzles/pains us—but our Heavenly Father knows exactly what he’s doing. When good outcomes happen, pruning reminds us who the credit really belongs to: God.
Pruning Precedes Progress
If you’re a leader charting a fresh course, and have spent months planning, praying, and strategizing with your team about it, and have even begun casting that vision to your people—only to see some of them leave—take heart.
Resist the urge to panic.
Remember, pruning often precedes progress.
Take time to grieve the loss of people you care about—but then get back to the mission. Stay the course, keep your chin up, and plow forward. Chances are high you’ll experience growth. But growth often starts with subtraction.