Called to Bear Abundant Fruit

In the hush of a vineyard morning, a hidden grace is at work.

It’s easy to miss if you’re not looking, but it’s there: grace as grafting — the art of joining new vines to old rootstock, nourishing the new vines until they bear fruit and, in return, feed the roots. It’s a delicate, intentional process, and when it works, as it often does, it transforms the entire vineyard.

As it turns out, the church isn’t so different.

Across generations, the church has been a place where deep, resilient roots of faith meet young, energetic shoots of ministry. Where ancient wisdom makes room for bold expressions of love, service, and belonging. And in today’s world, this grafting is more vital than ever.

At Texas Methodist Foundation, we’ve seen the beauty of this process firsthand. We’ve seen innovative ministries take hold because they’re anchored in the steadiness of tradition, using its wisdom, faith, and resources to nurture something novel. We’ve also seen how, in return, that brings imagination, energy, and renewed purpose back into the church.

Because grafting isn’t just about preservation: it’s about flourishing.

As we do Christ’s loving work in the world, we are all called to bear fruit, not only in our own lives, but in the life of the church, and in the lives of each other. Together, rooted, we can reach and make room for new growth so that the whole vineyard thrives, generation after generation.

To read examples of life-giving ministries made possible in part by generous individuals who invest, give, and borrow from TMF, visit our news and stories page.