Do you have a Barnabas in your life? You probably know that Barnabas means “son of encouragement”. Do you have someone who encourages you? I sure hope so, because there are probably multiple people in your life who seek to do the opposite. Well meaning people who will try to save you from failure, often who squash dreams without even knowing it.
In the last few years, I have had a strong pull and desire to start a house church network in the city I live in. There are multiple things that need to come together for this to happen, but I am pulled and drawn and compelled by this vision. As I have shared this vision, the majority of the people will point out to me who often house churches fail. I have been told how hard it will be, how the house church movement will never take off in this country, and people who mean well who don’t think I can pull it off. I have had a few that encouraged me, but I have found the vast majority who are eager to tell me the problem with my dream.
It seems that today in the church, in our Christian communities, there are more than a few people who are eager to find every problem with a dream. Most things that God calls us too are hard, some are close to impossible. Think of Moses, one guy watching sheep was called to confront the most powerful leader in the world. Gideon, who goes against a powerful army with a handful of men. The giant tasks (and one giant man) loom large in scripture, God calling men to do amazing things. They often had people telling them they couldn’t do it. I want to start being more of a Barnabas. I want to encourage dreams and support people in their work.,
I have some pretty ambitious dreams. I have written some books, started some ministries and done some things that will require God’s hands to make happen. I have hope and faith that if God wants to use me to do amazing things, that He can do them, even with all my short comings. As weak and frail as I am, seems like I’m the perfect canidate to do amazing things. I think you are a good canidate to do amazing things, that God can do great things through us.
Maybe if we decide to support and encourage one another, maybe if we take the work of Barnabas seriously we would see amazing things. If we took the role of burdon carrier seriously, amazing things would happen. With that said, how can I encourage you?
Thanks for your words, Dan. I am wondering if you could share some practical application on what this might look like? My default is usually to challenge and provide what I think might be wisdom to “discourage” someone from pursuing something. I am also assuming you agree there are still definite times this is needed as well.
In my years doing student ministries, I found that encouraging the right thing was more effective than discouraging the wrong thing. For example, if a student was making a bad choice about a Friday night activity, I would suggest an alternate activity, offer to assit or go along, challenge the student to try something. I have found it helpful to find the gifts and talents of others, find places for them to succeed and then support and encourage them in their wins and victories. Redirectioning works wonders, and it’s more encouragement than discouragement.
Thanks for the answer. This is very helpful to think about.
Dr. George W. Truett said, “Every one ought to be a Barnabas, a son of encouragement, an encourager.” Something to that effect.
I’ve had all kinds of dreams that require God to work because there’s no way I can do any of them on my own. I have never had any encouragement in these things nor help with direction. So these dreams have never come to fruition.
So there seems to be two messages that I hear that apply:
1) Dream big so God can use you to accomplish great things that you can’t do on your own so that he receives the glory.
2) When your dreams don’t come true, it must be because you are dissatisfied with your low calling. Therefore, be satisfied with what God has called you to.
The one thing I don’t understand here is the disparity between these messages. You can’t be satisfied if you are dreaming big. You can’t dream big if you are satisfied where you are. The only thing I can take away is if God sends people to encourage you, then pursue big dreams. If God doesn’t send anyone to encourage you, then be satisfied. The only problem is that you get a third message:
3) Don’t be a respecter of men.
So, what to do?
You ought to give some thought, if you haven’t already, to contacting Jim Elliff or another house church strategist. While I don’t know him personally, I know that he is an elder in a house church movement in Kansas City, MO. He might be an invaluable resource for you: http://www.christfellowshipkc.org/default.asp
I was going to start a ministry called, Grow For God. I was going to plant small gardens for those who couldn’t get out much, but yet able to gather their own vegetables. All expenses were going to come out of my own pocket, and hoped to plant 20 gardens the first year. The ministry was to help the elderly, the crippled, and plant a seed in the family members.
Each week I was going to post Bible verses in the garden. I don’t know what would have happened if I had carried it out. The tumor in my brain took most of my sight, and I can no longer drive.