An Encouragement to Encourage One Another and to Establish an Encouragement File (Lake Country Bible Church)

May I encourage you to "encourage one another daily" (Heb. 3:13).  To use your tongue to build up the brethren (Eph. 4:29-32) and to strengthen the hands of the weak and feeble to the glory of God!

In seminary we pastors in training were encouraged to establish and to maintain an "encouragement file."  We were instructed to do so realizing that every pastor (and every Christian for that matter) goes through high highs and low lows.  Even our President and beloved Pastor John MacArthur had his own Black Tuesday mutiny, a messy church split, and various outside his own congregation (Roys) attacks to overcome and endure.

Since ministry is intensely relational your greatest joys and greatest sorrows will involve people.  During prolonged seasons of hardship you men (pastors) will be tempted to throw in the ministry towel.  We were reminded that often after a season of prolonged blessing God ordains a season of pain and loss.  Elijah the prophet is case and point. This faithful "man of God" went from experiencing the heights of supernatural victory via the showdown on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18), to being severely depressed and overcome with fear (1 Kings 19), to the degree he threw in the ministry towel and asked God to end his life. 

The Lord reminds Elijah, and all of His frail servants, that you may be in the minority but you are never alone. The Lord your God is always with you and He promises to preserve a faithful remnant. We are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses.  We are not alone! God is with us and for us (Rom. 8:28-39)!  May Christ Jesus alone be our all in all (2 Cor. 12).  His grace truly is sufficient for all things!

Today I found great encouragement reviewing some of these "timely words fitly spoken" in my encouragement file.

An Encouragement File (My Encouragement to You)

In seminary one of the most helpful and practical tidbits I received was to keep an encouragement file.  In other words, we were counseled to hold onto encouraging letters and emails from members and former members.  This "encouragement file" is a helpful resource especially during particularly discouraging days or spiritually barren times in ministry.

Yesterday I received a short and sweet card from a long time member.  I particularly appreciated her last line as this is exactly what one hopes to accomplish as a minister of the gospel; (What a privilege it is to teach your flock how great and awesome our God is and to make much of the Lord Jesus Christ).

Peace and Courage in Christ

Photo credit: todayschristianwomen.com

"If, therefore, we desire to be Christians, we must not seek exemptions from the cross, but must be satisfied with this single consideration, that, fighting under the banner of Christ, we are beyond all danger, even in the midst of the combat."

John Calvin commenting on John 16:33.

Jesus said to them, "Take courage, I have overcome the world!"

"Endure Hardship as a Good Soldier" (2 Timothy 2:3)

Some people have asked why I started writing personal reflection pieces on the trials, tribulations, and triumphs of church revitalization ministry?   If you allow me to summarize the larger context it will hopefully shed some light on how "Post Tenebras Lux" started and why I write what I write here.

I grew up in a loving Christian home in a solid, small town Bible church. One does not realize what an amazing privilege this is until you experience the new birth, grow in discernment and come to understand just how undiscerning, shallow, and immature most evangelical churches in America are.  A. W. Tozer warned us many decades ago of a new wind blowing across the fields of the church, 'If I see aright, the cross of popular evangelicalism is not the cross of the New Testament. It is, rather, a new bright ornament upon the bosom of a self-assured and carnal Christianity. The old cross slew men; the new cross entertains them. The old cross condemned; the new cross amuses. The old cross destroyed confidence in the flesh; the new cross encourages it'. 

While growing up as a elder's/pastor's kid I watched my dad persevere through some very trying times in some very difficult church ministry contexts.  In many ways Kent Kolstad is the kind of shepherd-leader I am striving to be.  Despite these hardships my parents never stopped loving the local church (As a footnote, my parents now serve in a wonderful church context in Arkansas).