Ministry

Recently I found myself wondering: 

Who have I encouraged lately?

I don’t just mean who have I praised, or given a compliment to, but who have I taken the time to give meaningful, positive, in-depth feedback to. Feedback about their character as a person, providing an illustration or example of what they have done to show their character, not just a platitude, but something with a good amount of substance in it. Something that someone will take with them and remember for the rest of their day at least, or perhaps a week. 

It's a habit I try to have in my life because I have a couple of people who do this for me, and it makes a big difference in my life. I’m not as intentional as I would hope to be, but it is something I’m aiming for in my life. 

I recently shared with our staff the story of a man who is mentioned in the Bible, called Mark. Mark is famous for writing The gospel of Mark, which is understood to be the Apostle Peter’s gospel, that Mark wrote down on Peter’s behalf. 

Mark first appears to us as someone who runs away when Jesus is led away to be crucified (Mark 14:51-52). Even though he isn’t named, scholars believe for a range of reasons that Mark is writing about himself. 

Mark then appears in the book of Acts, initially as a travelling companion for Paul and Barnabas (Acts 12:25), then leaves them (Acts 13:13). But then Barnabas wants Mark back again, but it seems that Paul doesn’t trust Mark at all with the work, to the point that Barnabas, who believes strongly in Mark, and Paul actually go their separate ways (Acts 15:36-40).

This isn’t the first time that Barnabas believed strongly in someone to the point where he made a big decision to support them, the first time he is recorded as doing this is actually with Paul himself! (Acts 9:26-28). 

Clearly, Barnabas had an eye for people and a heart for encouraging and believing in these people, to the point that we know of two people who had a big impact on the world in Mark and Paul, in part because Barnabas believed in them. 

It's this kind of belief in people that God asks us to have with students and with each other. It’s this kind of belief in people that God wants you to have each and every day, because while it is wonderful to believe in God, it is even more wonderful that God believes in us. 

So let me ask you: Who are you believing in? Who are you encouraging, whose character are you praising? 

Who are you speaking to that knows that you support them 100%, and that you have genuine evidence as to why they are a significant and important person? 

It’s an important task. It may not make a huge difference to the world, but I know it will make a difference in their world. 

God bless you.

Chris Mann

College Pastor