Being a Big, Bold, Boisterous Barnabas

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​This past Sunday, was Pastor Appreciation Sunday. Thank you to those who organized a special fellowship hour, and to all of you who gave a card or sent well-wishes. It was a wonderful surprise. Through different outlets, I will consistently see or hear pastors griping about the lack of support or the amount of flack they receive at their church. They will grumble about conflict and dissension between them and their members. I feel bad for them. Their frustrations are valid. Yet, I’m grateful that I have nothing to add to their venting.  To that end, I want you all to know how much I appreciate the people of our congregation. I’m grateful to serve and serve alongside you all. This is a place, that for the past four years, has shown nothing but love and support to me and my family.  Equally as important, we have a church that is engaged with one another. We worship together. We study together. We pray together. We serve together. We fellowship together.  Obviously, we are far from perfect, but I pray that King of Kings continues to be an incredible blessing to all. 
 
I’m not sure what the origins of Pastor Appreciation are. But in a world of National Donut, National Pasta, or National Feral Cat Day (Yes, that’s a real thing. And it’s today, by the way…), why not a day for clergy?  I know this sounds self-serving, but it does feel nice to be appreciated. This is true, no matter what your profession is.  Of course we don’t necessarily seek out such affirmations; and unfortunately not every profession gets a recognized spot on the calendar.  Nevertheless, it is nice to be noticed for your work and efforts.  Whatever it might be. We all need a little encouragement from time to time. 
 
Perhaps an overlooked, or unknown, New Testament figure is Barnabas.  Acts 4:36 tells of a Levite man named Joseph, who the apostles called Barnabas. Barnabas means son of encouragement.  He was a great encourager. Shortly after Saul’s conversion to Christianity, Paul (formerly Saul) began preaching the name of Jesus. He came to Jerusalem where he attempted to join the disciples, but knowing Paul’s history of persecuting Christians, they were understandably afraid of him. They didn’t believe that he truly was a disciple. But, the son of encouragement steps in. Barnabas immediately went to Paul’s defense, personally bringing him before the disciples and sharing with them the details of Paul’s conversion and his preaching of the Word in Damascus thereafter. Barnabas, as a trusted brother in the Lord, was able to bridge the gap and alleviate the disciples' fear of this once-ruthless man. The truth he shared about Paul encouraged the disciples enough that Paul then became one of their own— able to join them in preaching the name of Jesus in Jerusalem (see Acts 9:20-28). Barnabas’s encouragement cleared the confusion and promoted an atmosphere of peace amongst everyone involved.
 
Later, in the earliest times after Pentecost, the early church was facing severe persecution and many believers scattered. When Barnabas, a respected leader of the church in Jerusalem, eventually met these new believers, he was thrilled to witness all that God had been doing in the lives of both Jews and Gentiles. That’s when he offered those new believers some powerful words of encouragement that still ring true for the 21st century Jesus follower. Barnabas encouraged them to keep their eyes on God and to walk in His will, no matter the cost or difficulties along the way (cf. Acts 11: 22-23). 
 
What if you were a Barnabas to someone this week?  In our world today, you are bound to come across a friend or coworker needing a little (or a lot of) encouragement.  Natural disasters, current events, political division,  relational stressors, or financial pressures continue to pile up.  Stress is mounting. Burdens are crushing. Loneliness is looming. Despair is inevitable. So many people are in desperate need of hope.  They need to know that they are not alone. They need to know that they are appreciated, that they are noticed and loved.  People need people like Barnabas, who will stand with them, advocate for them, give them wise counsel.  People need people to encourage them in the hope and promises of the Lord.  The biblical word for encouragement literally means to “call to one’s side.” The picture is that of one person who comes alongside others and encourages them to accomplish a task or finish a race.  Whose side is God calling you to?  As the old adage suggests… be an encourager, this world already has enough critics.
 
“Leave everyone you meet better than you found them. Become an encourager of potential versus a destroyer of confidence.” (Robin Sharma)
“We can improve our relationships with others by leaps and bounds if we become encouragers instead of critics.” (Joyce Meyer)
“Everyone has the potential to become an encourager. You don't have to be rich. You don't have to be a genius. You don't have to have it all together. All you have to do is care about people and initiate.” (John C. Maxwell)