The Indispensable Tools of Encouragement and Honour
This is an abridged version of an article originally written for the Lighthouse Community website.
It has become so easy for customers to give reviews. While this is not necessarily a bad thing, human nature is unfortunately more inclined towards negative feedback.
The church is not immune and sadly many believers are too quick to complain and too slow to express appreciation. This is the product of a consumer mentality that is incompatible with the mind of Christ. Nurturing a culture of encouragement within Christian communities—locally and globally—was important to early Christians, and should, therefore, alert us to the necessity of treating encouragement as a spiritual discipline.
In our modern individualistic societies, we can easily lose sight of how important social reinforcement is. No one is an isolated island, and whether we like it or not, a positive or negative comment affects our well-being and progress. Many values, choices, convictions and pursuits are constantly being pushed by those who do not have the mind of Christ, so Christians must encourage faithfulness and zealousness for God's call and righteousness.
Unlike the world, the church is not in the business of competition, but cooperation. We can be watchful and openly celebrate how our brothers and sisters contribute to God’s mission in the community of faith, as well as in the world. Our encouragement can refresh the forward-moving momentum of faithful discipleship.
“In the New Testament, encouragement within the church was a powerful force. It helped believers persevere in their faith against the currents of society. Those dynamics have not changed.”
Throughout Paul's letters, we see him practising and promoting encouragement as he lavishes praise upon certain believers. As the words of his letters were read aloud in their contexts, believers such as Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus (members of the Corinthian assembly), received public recognition for their service to Christ and His people. Paul does not hesitate in letting everyone know that they are worthy leaders and worthy of recognition because of their devotion ‘to the service of the saints’ (1 Cor 16:15-18). It could be said that Paul understood the importance of positive feedback. He acts similarly towards Epaphroditus from the Philippian assembly, Phoebe (the benefactor of many people) from Cenchreae, and his co-worker Timothy, who he praises for his sincere commitment to looking after the interests of others. He takes great pleasure in honouring them and urges believers to do the same: ‘Honour one another above yourselves’ (Rom 12:10).
In the New Testament, encouragement within the church was a powerful force. It helped believers persevere in their faith against the currents of society. Those dynamics have not changed. Many of our brothers and sisters throughout the world face discouragement, social pressure and rejection. Paul, however, left us two powerful weapons—encouragement and honour—to build and nurture persevering faith.
“Our encouragement is not easy platitudes, but our continued presence, prayer, and love. It is an assurance informed by a deep study of God’s Word.”
We need to encourage one another concerning the reliability of the gospel, the reliability of the hope we have in Christ, and the reliability of the spiritual insight afforded us in the Scriptures. We need to remind each other to rely on the power of the Holy Spirit. Our encouragement is not easy platitudes, but our continued presence, prayer, and love. It is an assurance informed by a deep study of God's Word.
The honour we show has many faces. One is our willingness to learn about different contexts and the troubles our brothers and sisters face. Another is letting them know that we respect and esteem their courage and perseverance, as well as how their faith inspires greater fortitude amid our often less costly challenges.
But honouring and encouragement will move us beyond words—to act and share resources. Our faithfulness, in this regard, is often how God answers the prayers of those in need. To provide support in this way validates the authenticity of God’s family and helps many members persevere through tribulation.
So, let us never forget the significance of encouragement and honour and let us strive to be a people who are trained in their ways. The results will be incredible!
by Vlada Stojanovic
Born and raised in Nîs, Serbia, Vlada graduated in mechanical engineering before spending four years in the UK training in missions and receiving his education in theology and leadership, whilst working in local churches.
Currently, he is finishing his master’s degree in contextual theology. He is married to Sonja, and they have two children. For the last 20 years, Vlada has been serving in Good News Church in Southern Serbia, one of the least evangelised countries in Eastern Europe, and also works with other local churches to strengthen them and foster unity between them, which overflows into shared church-planting missions.