Cross pollination is necessary for apple production.

By Tom Shanklin

Cross pollination is an important part of crop production.

Hybrids are produced by intentionally cross pollinating two varieties of plants. The resulting seed is more powerful, more fruitful, more resistant to disease and pests.

We have learned on our little farm that apple trees require cross pollination to even produce a crop. Two different varieties are required as apple trees are not self pollinating.

Likewise, Christians require cross pollination. But too often, they are receiving the same old diet. They hang with “their own kind.” They listen to the same type of messages from the same type of minister, and they lack the perspective that comes from having a relationship with the whole Body of Christ.

Denominational inbreeding is one example of this. The teaching comes from headquarters. The same type of people with the same background gather to the same type of churches. When a family moves into a new area, they find the same familiar and comfortable type of church. The pastors are from the same seminary or Bible School. Everyone is locked into their systematic theology. If a guest speaker is invited, they also are preaching the same party line. Nothing new. Nothing fresh.

Denominations can be a good thing, but often there’s too much identification with the denomination, and not enough with Jesus. As Paul said, “For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?” 1 Corinthians 3:4, KJV. And by the way, there are non-denominational denominations, too. They are in one groove, and are unable to look beyond their own line of teaching.

It’s time for some fresh blood! Invite a guest speaker from another stream. Make some new friends. Get out of your rut. Cross pollinate! I’m not talking about bringing someone in who is not standing fast in the basics of faith. Just get someone who has a little different perspective … who can light your fire in another way.

Christians also need cross pollination from the various ministry gifts. As the scripture says, “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:” Ephesians 4:11, 12, KJV. He didn’t say, “He gave pastors and pastors and more pastors.” No, He gave five gifts—apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers.

Now don’t get me wrong. Thank God for pastors. We need more of them—pastors with a shepherd’s heart to love and care for the sheep. And anyone who stands in the office of a pastor should be honored and respected. But the church which only hears from pastors is out of balance. It lacks perspective. The pastor has one particular motivation, and has a certain perspective on the things of God. We need the perspective of ALL the gifts to have a healthy mentality and to bring forth the will of God in the Church.

But what happens? A church grows and they hire staff. So who do they hire? Another pastor. A youth pastor. A worship pastor. A discipleship pastor. An administrative pastor. Then they invite in a guest speaker and who do they invite? A pastor. Come on! Wake up! Why not staff your church with a variety of gifts, and bring in ministry from the outside to fill in the areas that are lacking?

The apostle is needed to lay foundations and bring perspective on the purposes of God. The prophet is needed to inspire vision and call the Church to purity. The evangelist is needed to ignite the church to win the lost and keep her focus on the Gospel message. The pastor is needed to feed and care for the sheep. The teacher is needed to help us rightly divide the Word of truth. We need all the gifts!

Too often, the different ministry gifts are butting heads because of their different perspectives. We need to learn to work together. We need to cooperate for the greater good of the Body of Christ.

There are many other areas of cross pollination needed as well—between young and old, male and female, between ethnic groups and races, between different styles of music or worship. Yes, we need to get out of a cookie cutter branding of our churches and become the Body of Christ that God is looking for.

I encourage you! Cross pollinate and enjoy the good healthy fruit which it will bring!