(Minister Well Newsletter, September 2017)
Everyone in ministry seems to be working his/her tail off all of the time. If we aren’t in the midst of a busy season then we are just coming out of one or planning for the next one. This serving God and loving all of His people is more than a full-time gig. When we add vocational ministry (or ministry volunteering) to our already full lives and numerous relationships it is very easy to quickly become exhausted. We are, after all, merely humans. We grow weary in mind, body, and spirit. Given that He is our creator, God knows we need each other to do the work of love that He has called us to. Be reminded of these words “encourage one another and build each other up” found in 1 Thessalonians 5:11. Amid all of our busyness, let’s take a few minutes to consider how following this wisdom from God’s Word would be beneficial to all in the body of Christ.
Mind
We spend so much of our time as a society focused on what is “wrong.” We put our minds together on problems but don’t celebrate solutions; the media reports far more destruction than growth; and we notice what needs to be fixed rather than what is working well. It’s no wonder we are an anxious and depressed people! Philippians 4:8 recommends instead that we should focus our thoughts on “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Imagine actually doing this every time you are at your church, planning for your church, or serving/loving the people of your church. Wouldn’t your mind be better for it?
Body
Now, let’s put those healthy thoughts into action. Give people kudos! That word still brings to my mind the little candy bar, Kudos, which came out in the late 80’s. You can give people those too, but I mean give them recognition and appreciation. “Encourage them” and “build them up.” The more people that you are responsible for overseeing, the more you should be publicly and privately acknowledging others in their God-given talents, gifts, and service. If you need to actually write this on your to-do list, then do so. It is vitally important to the health of your church body that you demonstrate within your church the love that you preach and teach. Write emails, send texts, stick a quick note of thanks on someone’s desk, say thank you and give credit when there is a microphone in your hand and when there is not. Thank the people who always do XYZ. Acknowledge people who are on time, prepared, ask great questions, greet warmly, think of little things, grasp the big picture, are creative, follow directives, are generous with their time-talent-treasure, want to help but need suggestions, pray earnestly, listen well, love their families, genuinely know Who they are serving, and reflect Christ to others. The list goes on and on. Remind yourselves of fruits of the Spirit that you may be quick to overlook in others (Galatians 5:22 – love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control). “Pass out” those kudos with reckless abandon!
Spirit
“Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones” (Proverbs 16:24). Hopefully, there isn’t need to say much about how encouraging one another is good for our spirit. Not only is it a good practice for maintaining healthy relationships and good workplace morale, it genuinely feels good in the soul of both the sender and the receiver. Recall again the words of Philippians 4 that direct us to think about “such things.” That verse is given as part of the solution to finding rest from anxiety and peace in God’s sovereignty. We need to be in the practice of continually reminding ourselves of the goodness that God has revealed through general revelation and through the glimpses of Him that we see as He works through and in others around us. There is so much to acknowledge, appreciate, and be thankful for as we take every opportunity to “build each other up.”
Challenge
“Pass out” kudos every day – with family, friends, volunteers, and co-workers. Giving praise is good for you and for them.
Wishing you good health – mind, body, and spirit.
In Him,
Heather Clark, Ph.D.
Licensed Psychologist, PY 7620