Discussion Board Forum 2 (Module 6)
Encouragement
Encouragement in ministry is the one element that keeps many church leaders and pastors going. I have
served in ministry for over 40 years. Every year in June the ministry where I currently serve set aside a
special moment to encourage the leadership. I personally look forward to this because I hear so many
positive testimonies and stories of how my ministry has helped someone in one way or another. “TO
GOD BE THE GLORY” for the things he has done. By nature I always like to encourage those that serve in
ministry to remain faithful for the cause of Jesus Christ. As Paul has admonished us in 1 Corinthians
15:58, NIV “Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourself fully to
the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not vain”. [1] I believe you can
incorporate encouragement to those you lead into ministry by constantly reaffirming who they are in
Christ Jesus by the grace of God. Additionally, always standing on the promises of God and speaking life
and hope to everyone will promote and produce encouragement.
Encouragement is something that is needed by all whether you are at the peak of your ministry or just
beginning. It offers a sense of hope and strength to those who may be experiencing challenges in
fulfilling what God has called them to do. As leaders in ministry, encouragement can have a positive
impact on the well-being of those who are following causing them to have the desire to continue
working in the Kingdom of God. I believe you can incorporate encouragement to those who lead you
into your ministry by supporting them in anyway possible via the ministry of helps. This could include
serving, praying, giving, etc. Sometimes you may be needed to hold up their arms just as Aaron and Hur
held up Moses arms. Exodus 17:12
The entry from ‘Be Encouraged” by Ben Gutierrez that encouraged me the most was chapter 1 , “ God is
Sovereign”. It doesn’t matter what happens when we are serving in ministry, it gives me peace to know
that God is in control. Sometimes the unexpected will happen that can present challenges in our
ministries. As Gutierrez says, “ God never called you to control the world”.[2] I once preached a sermon
entitled, “ Let it do what it do”. The essence of the message was to suggest that God is Sovereign and
that He is in full control. As Colossians 1:17, says” He existed before anything else, and he holds all
creation together”. [3]. Over the years of serving in ministry, while it is hard to do; I had to learn how to
say “No” and Take a Load Off. This has taught me that you can’t do it all by your self. Subsequently,
teaching and speaking encouragement to those who you serve and to those that serve you makes the
Body of Christ strong.
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1 Holy Bible, NIV
2 Gutierrez, Ben. “Be Encouraged” Inspiration for the Journey of Ministry
B&H Publishing Group, Nashville, TN. 2013
3 Holy Bible, NIV
