We find ourselves in the fourteenth chapter of Acts, verses twenty-one through twenty-eight. As I mentioned in previous blogs, Paul and Barnabas are on their first missionary journey. To be exact, they are on the island of Cyrus. Our reading is the closing words of that missionary journey. They must have been ready to go home. Their trip had been filled with both adventures and hardships. However, before they return home, they want to do one more thing. They want to check on their new converts. Verse 21 says they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch. We looked at those communities in the past. The scriptures do not tell us how many were saved originally, nor does the scripture tell us how many remained. I am sure some walked away from the faith in their absence. Some walked away because the emotions of that moment had faded. Some walked away because living out the faith was hard. Paul and Barnabas went back to encourage those who remained. That simple fact was important. Never underestimate the power of encouragement. It is as powerful today as it was in Paul’s day. Just think about it for a moment.
Encouraging, and being encouraged, is part of the human experience. It is one of those things that separates us from mere animals. It is one of the building blocks of our society. We are always encouraging. We encourage babies to take their first steps. We encourage our youngest students to get on the bus for the first time. We encourage college students to do their best. We encourage people who are overwhelmed with responsibility to take it one day at a time. We encourage the sick to trust their medical professionals. We encourage the elderly to eat so they can gain strength. We encourage the grieving by reminding them they are not alone. Encouraging, and being encouraged, is part of the human experience.
Encouraging words are extremely important. When you encourage someone, you give them energy. When you encourage someone, you give them hope. When you encourage someone, you change their perspective. When you encourage someone, you restore their self-confidence. When you encourage someone, you help them work harder. When you encourage someone, you help them succeed. When you encourage someone, you help them rebuild their self-esteem. Don’t tell me encouraging words aren’t important, they are extremely important. When was the last time you encouraged someone? When was the last time someone encouraged you?
If there is any group that should understand encouragement, it should be the church. Romans 15:2 says, “Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.” I do not want to sound critical, but this is the problem. The church is far more comfortable discouraging people than we are encouraging people. You know it is true. We hear it all the time. My past is filled with discouraging words. How many examples do you need?
When I finally surrendered to my calling, I was filled with a variety of emotions. I had a million questions, but I knew only one thing. God had called me into the ministry. I went home to tell my parents. I thought they would embrace my calling because they loved their church. I was sure they would encourage me; I was wrong! There was not a single word of encouragement, there was a mountain of discouraging words. My father said volumes in his silence. He thought I was crazy. My mother said, “We don’t see it. You are not intellectual enough.” I heard I was dumb. Their discouraging words still upset me.
When I finished seminary with a mountain of debt, I went for my ordination interview. I assumed I would be welcomed into the United Methodist Church. I was wrong! They didn’t want me. I was denied and, I believe, they just wanted me to go away. However, the next year I was approved and went on to be respected by many of my colleagues. Their respect became my sweetest revenge. Yet, that denial still haunts me. I still have a hard time forgiving those discouraging people.
When my wife Kathryn organized her first volunteer in mission’s trip, I signed up. It was 1993 and we went to the Philippines. As the news of that trip spread throughout the community, everyone had a reaction. I thought people would encourage me to go. The church is supposed to reach out to the world and help the forgotten. I was wrong! They came up with every reason not to go. The plane may Crash. The food will be bad. They hate Americans and the rest. I guy said, “I hope you have a will. I don’t think you will be coming back.” I remember all those things because they are the same things people say to me every time, I go on a volunteer in missions trip. I would encourage you to go to Estonia with us next summer.
Between 2011 and 2013, my church co-hosted two Mill Creek Workcamps with Group Work Camp of Loveland, Colorado. Each time, we brought 400 young people from around the country to work on approximately 60 homes within the city of Youngstown, Ohio. Everybody won: the residents, the youth, and the church. I thought everyone would be encouraging. I was wrong! Some were discouraging. Some questioned the character of the youth; they are just on vacation. (Who vacations in Youngstown, Ohio?) Some questioned the residents; how do we know they really need help? Some questioned the city; how safe is the city? Some questioned the leadership; good intentions are not enough. Why are church people discourage? The church should be a body of encouragers. Paul and Barnabas went back to their new converts to encourage them because everyone in the convert’s world was trying to discourage them.
This is the truth. I am, like you. I really don’t care what the discouraging voices say. While frustrating, they have very little long-term effect. I have forgotten most discouraging words spoken to me. I am going to do what I want to do. I am going continue to try to discern God’s will and do it. An encouraging word is far more influential. Let me tell you a story about both discouraging words and encouraging words.
In 2006, I was just pulling into my garage about 9:00 in the evening. My cell phone rang. It was my District Superintendent. I considered him a friend. I could hear the strain in his voice. He told me my name came up around the Cabinet table. They wanted to move me to the Akron area. He knew my response before I said it. I didn’t want to move, I couldn’t move. I had a variety of good reasons. He invited me out to lunch the next day and said we would talk about it. During that meal I gave him all the reasons for not moving. He seemed to understand but ended by asking me to go talk to the District Superintendent in the Akron area. He said, “Maybe he won’t want you. It is important that you respect the system.”
I agreed and a few days later I found myself in the Akron District office. He asked me a few questions and I told him I didn’t want to move. I couldn’t move. My words fell on deaf ears. He told me he was going to arrange an interview with that church. I said, “I don’t want to move, I can’t move.” He said, “Don’t worry. Maybe they won’t want you.” On the night of that interview, the weather was horrible. The meal was stiff with the District Superintendent and the parsonage was in horrible condition. As my wife Kathryn, my daughter Anna and I drove to the church, I knew it wasn’t going to be a pleasant evening. I was going to have to do something ugly because I couldn’t move to Akron.
The committee was nice. I answered their questions honestly. There came a point when I knew they wanted me. It was time to be ugly. The question that ignited the whole thing was, “How do you feel about selling your home and moving back into a parsonage?” I was honest with them. I said, “I hate it. To tell the truth, I don’t want to be your pastor. I just want to go home.” Kathryn broke out in tears and the committee was compassionate. The women huddled around her and gave her a box of tissues. Anna sat in stunned silence. The District Superintendent looked at me and said, “You can’t do this.” I said, “I think, I just did. I told you I didn’t want to move, I can’t move.” He responded, “If you have a job in July, it is only by the grace of God.” We drove home in silence, and I was sure my career in the United Methodist Church was over.” When we got home the words were few, but I remember saying, “I don’t care what they do to me, we aren’t moving. I’ll sell Fords if I must, but we aren’t moving.” Obviously, sleep was hard that night.
The next few days, I jumped every time my phone rang. I was sure someone official would call me. That official call came several weeks later. The voice on the other end of the line sounded sinister. I was informed the Cabinet had filed a complaint against me. I was asked to have lunch with the Bishop several weeks later. The weeks dragged but on the appointed day I appeared on time and looking professional. When I arrived, I was asked to sit and wait for a few minutes. With no other choice, I did. Suddenly, the Bishop walked in with three District Superintendents. There was my good friend. The guy who threatened me, and a neutral District Superintendent. I was offered a sandwich, and I choked down a few bites. The Bishop looked at me and said, “Russ, we are all uncomfortable with this matter. We consider you one of our finest pastors.” I thanked him and he added, “But, this is the business of the church.” He looked at the Akron District Superintendent and said, “Why don’t you tell us what you remember from that evening?” He told the story perfectly.” Once completed, the Bishop look at me and said, “Russ, is there anything you would like to add or correct.” I said, “No! He has an excellent memory.” The Bishop looked at me and asked, “Why did you torpedo the interview?” I said, “I told everyone I couldn’t move, but no one listened to me. So, I told the only group that has listen to me, the laity.” He looked at the District Superintendents and said, “Did Russ tell you he couldn’t move?” They both said, “Yes!” The Bishop looked at the three District Superintendents and said, “Why don’t we start listening to our pastors.” He looked at me and said, “How can I help you?” I said, “Can you come and preach at my church’s fortieth anniversary in the near future. We would be honored if you would come and preach. He said, “Talk to my secretary, I’ll be there.”
On the day of our anniversary, he did come. He treated me with dignity and respect. Before he preached, he had a few kind words about the church and me. I have never been comfortable with compliments. So, what happened next was truly humbling. The church gave me a standing ovation. I didn’t deserve it, but the church gave me a standing ovation. Every time I spoke to the Bishop after that day, he reminded me of that moment. The encouragement I received that day changed my life. I have forgotten those who tried to discourage me, but I gave that church my best effort because they encouraged me.
Do tell me an encouraging word isn’t important. They bring the best out in others. They bring the best out in you. American motivational writer William Arthur Ward (1921-1994) once wrote, “Flatter me, and I may not believe you. Criticize me, and I may not like you. Ignore me, and I may not forgive you. Encourage me, and I will not forget you.” Paul and Barnabas went back to their new converts to do one thing, encourage them!When was the last time you needed a word of encouragement? When was the last time you encouraged someone else?
Russ Adams 