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December 2002 Table of Contents
Ministry Insights
Insights For Effective Ministry
Encourage One Another
By Don McMinn
Years ago, Pepper Rodgers was having a terrible season as head coach at UCLA. He was getting a lot of criticism from the press and alumni, and even his wife, a true-blue Bruins fan, was getting impatient. Reflecting back on that difficult time in his life, Pepper said, "My dog was my only friend. I told my wife that a man needs at least two friends, and she bought me another dog."
Pepper needed a generous dose of encouragement.
In each edition of The Communicator, we're studying a specific "One Another" of Scripture. Thirty-five times in the New Testament, we see a recurring word pattern-an action verb followed by the words "one another." [_______ one another] For instance, we are told to: prefer, accept, greet, encourage, forgive, comfort, wait for, honor.one another. Learn how to do these key verbs and you'll learn how to relate to others in a loving, Christ-like manner. Improve your relationship skills and you'll be a more effective minister of music.
In the last edition we considered Live in Peace With One Another. Now, let's discuss:
"Encourage one another" (1 Thess. 5:11)
The most frequently mentioned One Another in the Bible is Encourage One Another. Perhaps it is the most needed, the one ministry that we need on a consistent, continuous basis. Indeed, Hebrews 3:13 instructs us to "encourage one another daily."
Here are five ways in which we can encourage others:
1. Encourage people when they're discouraged.
Encouragement gives courage, hope, and emotional strength to someone who is struggling.
Jesus said, "In this world you will have problems." That wasn't a threat, just a statement of fact, perhaps even a warning. Life is tough. Disappointments come, things break, and relationships turn sour. When problems come, discouragement is usually close behind, and when it casts a heavy shadow upon us, we need a good dose of encouragement.
2. Encourage people when they have become "weary in well doing."
Encouragement strengthens and reinforces someone who is on the right course.
We often need encouragement, not because things are going wrong, but because we're just tired of doing that which is right. Even that which is honorable and good can, in time, become mundane and laborious. Galatians 6:9 calls it becoming "weary in doing good."
For instance, have you ever thought how tedious it must be for a pastor to prepare a new, fresh message-every week? Every Monday morning he starts all over with a blank sheet of paper. Even though he may enjoy sermon preparation, after years of preaching it can become wearisome. Encourage him.
3. Encourage people when they seem to be unfocused, confused, or unmotivated.
Encouragement persuades someone toward that which is good and desirable and stimulates toward honorable goals.
Have you ever been stuck in a rut? I'm not talking about the kind that makes for a great sales pitch for SUVs. I'm talking about more significant challenges:
Physically-"I can't seem to lose weight." "I sleep too much."
Emotionally-"I can't seem to get over my divorce." "I have a hard time getting close to anyone."
Vocationally-"I've been working the same job for years; I'm stuck." "I can't decide what to do after I graduate from college."
Spiritually-"I'm so complacent about my walk with the Lord. I'm not sure what I believe anymore."
Financially-"I'm getting deeper and deeper into debt. My finances are a mess."
Relationally-"My marriage is hurting." "My kids are going ballistic." "My sister won't speak to me."
It's usually hard to get out of a rut alone. We need a push, a fresh idea, someone to come along-side us and to give us aid. We need encouragement.
4. Encourage people to dream and to take bold initiatives.
Encouragement inspires others with courage, spirit, and hope.
Most people have an unwritten "dream list"-ideas and plans that appear to be beyond reach but remain in their hearts nevertheless: "I want to write a book," "I want to travel to Europe," "I want to start my own business," "I want to finish a college degree."
The pursuit of these seemingly impossible dreams can often be jump-started by encouragement. Young people particularly need to be encouraged to pursue their dreams.
5. Encourage people in their pursuit of godly character.
Encouragement persuades people to live godly lives and develop godly character.
In Titus 2:6, Paul told Titus to "encourage the young men to be self-controlled." We should continually encourage others to live godly lives and to develop godly character. For instance, we can:
Encourage people to resist evil when they are tempted.
Encourage people to aspire to godly character traits (loyalty, dependability, reverence, punc-tuality, etc.).
Encourage people to pursue holiness.
There was a man in the early church named Joseph, but the apostles gave him a nickname-Barnabas, which means "Son of Encouragement." What a compliment! Joseph's life was so marked by his constant ministry of encouragement that it warranted a name change!
As ministers of music, we have unlimited opportunities to encourage others-those who serve in our ministry, fellow staff members, church volunteers, and others.
How do we encourage others? You know how: speak encouraging words, write notes, make phone calls, brag on people.
As we dispense generous quantities of this one another, we will become more effective ministers of music.
Don McMinn is the executive director of 6Acts Ministry and sponsors the annual Worship Leaders' Retreat (biannual retreats that focus on relationships in the ministry). You may reach him at djmcminn@msn.com or at www.6Acts.org.
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