Pressing Forward

I can’t even start to write what I’m thinking right now about the recent pastor’s appreciation celebration at my church, Bethel.  The outpouring of love and support was unreal!  I’ve never seen a church celebrate their pastors like this before.  My Dad has been a pastor my whole life, my grandfather, and other friends, and I’ve never seen a church go all out with a meal and the gifts.  This is my first pastors appreciation luncheon at Bethel, since I just came on staff about 8 months ago.  I was shocked.

It led me to think about how encouraging that was to me and how every church should be doing this!  If I wasn’t a pastor, I would start this in my church.  Not only do I think it is Biblical, but ministry work can be very frustrating and discouraging at times.  People don’t always think to be encouraging in churches, and any time you receive a card or email or gift of some sort of encouragement, it is very much appreciated.  I guess this would be the case in any vocation.  Before entering full-time ministry I was teaching in a public school.  Very rarely did teachers receive any encouragement.  Just more work and data to fill in.  I’m sure other people don’t receive encouragement in their work either. 

I am reminded of Joses, a guy who was so encouraging that the disciples called him Barnabas, which means “Son of Encouragement.”  Barnabas was the only one who accepted Paul at first (Acts 9:26-27), was noted for encouraging the people at Antioch (Acts 11:22-23), and even departed company with Paul after a dispute in good relations (Acts 15:36-41).

What if each one of us could be so encouraging to others that we become labeled as being just that- an encourager?  How much easier would it be for pastors to minister, or teachers to do their jobs, or parents to care for their children if they received encouragement regularly?  It’s something to think about.

Thank you, Bethel, for encouraging me as I minister through our church.  I love serving you.