The Ministry of Encouragement

The Ministry of Encouragement

I am writing this particular piece at the encouragement of my wife.  In some ways it follows on well from the previous one, which generated a lot of interest and requests to re-publish.

Throughout the week we have been following an ITV series called “The Voice Kids”.  As a singer I have found this series enthralling and I am looking forward to the final this evening.  Three people from the pop world, Danny Jones, Pixie Lott and will.i.am are three coaches searching for a singing star of the future.  For the benefit of those who are unfamiliar with the programme, individual children have performed a song to an audience while the three judges sit with their back to the performer.  They make a decision on the basis of the voice alone as to whether they are willing to coach the singer.  If the child gets through this stage they can choose their coach.  This is followed by a stage in which the children compete with one another.  Some are eliminated.  Just six children will sing competitively tonight.

There are several things that have made this series special for me.  Firstly, the vocal talent of the children, Secondly, the lack of pretentiousness from both the children and the judges.  Thirdly the love and support of the families.  Fourthly - and for me hugely important - the encouragement given by the three pop superstars.  The love for the children blends with sensitive mentoring.  There is no condescension or patronising.  The children are given respect and the best performance drawn from them.

There are some 39 references to encouragement in the New Testament, and I feel that this is a neglected ministry in which we should all be involved.  Writing to the Christians in Rome, Paul exhorts them to be humble and use the particular gifts God has given them.  Included in this list is a gift of encouragement (See Romans 12: 3-8)  The thought that this might be a ministry gift is very interesting, and I wonder whether you can spot the person or people in your church that have this gift.  In some situations it might be a gift exercised from the platform; but it might be a ministry of some in the congregation.

But while some may have this particular gift, we are all called upon to take part in this ministry of encouragement.  Twice in his first letter to the Thessalonians, Paul writes about encouraging one another. (1Thes. 4:18 and 1 Thes.5:11).  If this ministry of encouragement is important we need to ask ourselves when did we last receive encouragement in our faith and when did we last give some encouragement to others. Encouragement stimulates and motivates the receiver.

It is also worthwhile considering the form in which encouragement might be given.  It could be as simple as a “thank you”.  As a preacher, I am grateful for kind words from members of the congregation regarding what I have said.  The best encouragement in that connection is when someone says that they have learned something new of felt challenged.  But all in the church, not just the preacher, need occasional encouragement, including those who do the menial tasks.

But I want to return to the inspiration from “The Voice Kids” that started me on this subject.  The caring and supportive attitude of the three judges is a perfect model for what should be seen in our churches.  It is clear that the children admire their mentors, but the judges do not exploit that.  They adopt a humble approach and pour out encouragement in equal measure to the unsuccessful as well as the successful.  It brought to my mind the occasion on which for the first time, I encouraged some of the Christian children in our church to serve the communion elements to the adults.  Think of all that was communicated to those children by that act.  So actions as well as words are important.

While all need some encouragement, those who are younger or newer to the faith, and those going through tough times, should be our focus of concern.  Saul of Tarsus was still a relatively new Christian when he benefited from encouragement from Barnabas.  (Acts 9:26-28)

The wisdom and encouragement given by the three popstars, is given to those who will eventually replace and outshine them.  This should be our aim in the church context too.  We should be encouraging those who may well outshine us.  In a recent sermon by a colleague on the feeding of the 5,000, he suggested that we might consider ourselves to be bread, broken to meet the needs of others.  The disciples on that occasion may have shared in the miracle, but it was the bread that was spent.  Perhaps encouragement motivated by love should always have a sacrificial character.

I was just 17 when I was asked by local ministers to give my testimony in an open air meeting.  A year later, during a mission in a Salvation Army church, the Officer in charge insisted that I should speak at the Sunday Morning Service (much to the disapproval of the mission team leader).  Some 26 years later I hesitantly sang a gospel solo for the first time, and was amazed to be asked by members of the congregation whether I had any CDs for sale.  Would I still be preaching and singing today had I not received encouragement?

So, please join with me encouraging others.  Who knows what such an investment might earn!

Barry Osborne - 20th July 2018

Free for All at the Point of Need

Yesterday I watched an inspiring TV programme entitled “To Provide All People: Celebrating the NHS 70 years On”.  The one-hour programme was produced for BBC Wales and was involved interweaving the story of the launch of the NHS, with contemporary stories in the form of a poem (but not a rhyme).  It involved some amazing actors providing excellent performances in a presentation that was brilliantly directed in every aspect.

I found it profoundly moving at times and very informative.  But I was left wondering how much it had cost and whether the producers had though through how to maximise the benefit provided by the programme.  It was aired at the same time on BBC One Wales and BBC Two. But if that was all it was a terrible waste as audience needs to have been multiplied many times.

The programme deliberately, though slightly subtly drew a comparison between the start of the NHS in the face of opposition and times of austerity, with the current situation, which is not entirely dissimilar.  It also asked some hard questions as to whether, with the changes brought about in recent years, the founding vision might have got lost.

They say of evangelists that (to paraphrase a hymn) “ten thousand, thousand are their tests but all their sermons one”.  In a similar vein, I found myself reflecting on how this TV programme provided commentary on church life for most churches in the UK.

It is almost certain that the majority of our churches came into being as a result of an evangelistic vision that believed that the good news of Jesus ought to be heard and enjoyed by all regardless of status in society, age or gender (much like the NHS).  They might also have been established at significant cost and sacrifice. They were not established because they could be afforded but because they were needed (much like the NHS).

Like the NHS much has changed since our churches began.  Generally we also face the challenge of limited and shrinking resources.  But the circumstances that brought our churches are unchanged. So what is wrong?  Why are so many churches declining and so few showing signs of genuine growth (rather than transfers from one church to another)?  What might be missing?

The film spoke about compassion; that responding to the needs of those who are unwell comes before all else.  We live in a society made sick by sin and sinful selfishness and individualism. We need compassionate churches.

The film spoke about confidence that there was a better way.  Have we lost the confidence to speak out about our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.  The Bible tells us that it is the message about Jesus that is the power of God to salvation.  We have a message that could change the lives of thousands of people for the better, including our neighbours.  Why are we silent when we are called to be witnesses - to speak out in evidence of the truth.

The film spoke about change, and the importance of responding to the world around us as it changes.  Are we still sitting in pews and running services almost exactly as our grandparents did? If so, no wonder people are voting with their feet and looking for something better!

The film spoke about passion.  Are we passionate about Jesus Christ.  Are we passionate in our worship? Are we passionate about the message that changes lives?  Would you describe your congregation as a people who are passionate about their faith? If not, why not?

Finally, the film spoke about vision.  It asked the hard question as to whether the founding vision still existed in the NHS or whether somehow it had been lost.  It suggested that if the vision had been lost then there was no future for the NHS as an institution that provided a free service for all at the point of need.  It suggested that if that vision is lost then those involved would be un-motivated.

All of these points were woven into a film which also told real stories of the impact that the NHS has on real people from birth to death.  But as it ended I was not only lft saying a “Wow” but also wondering how the message of this film with its encouragements and its challenges could reach those who did not see it when it was broadcast.  I also wonder, somewhat cynically, whether everything that went into this amazing programme would impact our society so that we will demonstrate by sacrifice and commitment just how much the NHS means to us.

My ministry through Rural Mission Solutions is committed to helping rural churches become effective in their mission, with congregations that passionately love Jesus and love their neighbours so much that they find appropriate ways of mission, and live out the same vision that brought them into being against much the same challenges that face us today.  But, like the makers of the film about the NHS, I wonder what the alternative will look like if we fail to get the message.

If you share our concern, please ensure that you find ways to partner with us through earnest prayer, or through financial support, or through doing what you can where you are to make a difference.  We know we cannot manage without more active help, and I’m sure the same will be true for you. Can we help one another?

Barry Osborne - 1st July 2018