Series: Unwrapping Your Spiritual Gift
#7: The Gifts of Spiritual Qualities – Encouragement and Exhortation
2 Corinthians 1:3-7 and Galatians 6:2 (J.B. Phillips)
By John Gill ~ July 16, 2023
Most people in the pew don’t know all that is involved in answering the call of God to become a pastor in our United Methodist Church.
In some denominations, especially in independent “congregational-style” churches, becoming a pastor may be as easy as being approved by a committee of members of that church. Then you would be “ordained” by the elders of the church on a Sunday morning, and in that moment, you are elevated to the status of “clergy.” And if even that quick and easy process is too much to go through, there are always those online “diploma-mills” that will issue you “ordination papers” for a small fee (of course) – and voilà – you are empowered to put “Reverend” in front of your name. Why bother with all the trouble, time, and expense of going off to seminary?!
In the United Methodist Church (and most all mainline denominations), the procedure is much more extensive. It is a long and difficult process – first, four years of college to earn a Bachelor’s degree, then three more years of seminary for a Master of Divinity. And that is just to earn the two degrees required. While you are on that educational track, the candidate must also move through a completely different process to apply to the Board of Ordained Ministry for approval for various stages toward ordination – hopefully leading to becoming a full clergy member of the Annual Conference and finally feel the weight of the Bishop’s hands on your head. The entire extensive process is outlined in our United Methodist Book of Discipline (Part Four, Chapter Two – THE MINISTRY OF THE ORDAINED, if you care to look it up. For those of us who have undergone this gauntlet of requirements, it often feels like “Hoops to Jump Through,” but in retrospect, we appreciate the care our denomination takes to assure that our pastors are fully vetted and prepared for ministry.
Few candidates for ministry move straight through the process without experiencing a bump in the road – sometimes several. In 1985, as I was nearing the end of seminary, I was to appear before the dreaded “Board of Ordained Ministry” seeking provisional membership and ordination as a Deacon. Up to that time, I had breezed through the process, but the thought of sitting before a Board of about forty pastors was terrifying!
Just imagine: You have just devoted seven years of your life to be educated, spent many tens of thousands of dollars, submitted your application to the Board, including sermon tapes and dozens of pages of answers to theological questions. You have endured a battery of psychological tests to determine your mental and emotional fitness for ministry. At last, you have been granted an interview.
Now, imagine being summoned to the conference center, appearing before small committees who analyze everything you had submitted, asking you to explain your answers. Finally, you are called into a large room to appear before the full Board, with dozens of sets of eyes staring at you, for the longest half-hour of your life.
Not for the faint of heart!
After my interviews were over, there was the waiting for the verdict. Frankly, I wasn’t prepared for what I heard. You see, the Board had three options. They could say “yes,” and approve me. They could say “no,” and that would completely end my hopes of ever being a pastor. Or, they could say “not at this time,” a “deferment,” assigning me to do more requirements and to reapply in a year.
When they invited me back in, they informed me that they felt I wasn’t quite ready, and so they were assigning me several “contingencies” to complete before coming back before them.
I was crushed. I controlled my emotions as best I could until I left the room, but then “lost it.” I sobbed. I was embarrassed, but I couldn’t help myself. To use the word Paul used in our first lesson this morning, I was “troubled” – or as many other translations put it, I felt “afflicted,” or even were suffering a “calamity” or “tribulation.” In short, I was devasted and almost without hope.
Have you ever been so “troubled” that you felt “afflicted?” Have you experienced the “tribulation” of having gone through a “calamity?” Maybe when a loved one died, or you went through a divorce. It may be that you lost your job, or your business failed. Whatever you were experiencing, it was a time when you felt your world was crashing in on you, when circumstances of your life-pressed down on you so hard that you thought you would suffocate.
As I was preparing this message, I learned something interesting. The word translated “affliction” or “troubled” originally meant “actual physical pressure on a person.” The Greek word literally means “to experience being constricted – as in a narrow place that causes one to feel hemmed in, with no way to escape.”
There was an ancient English law that, if a person refused to testify in court, they would have heavy weights placed on their chests, pressing upon them until they were crushed. Have you ever been so afflicted by life that you were sure your troubles would crush you? We all have known that helpless feeling, haven’t we?
People today experience “affliction,” of course. Maybe not literally, but just as real. WE feel as if someone has placed a burden on us that is too great to bear, a crushing weight. We feel hopeless, full of despair, at the end of our rope. We’ve all been there at one time or another. Perhaps you are there this morning.
If so, then I’m glad you are in worship this morning – because there is “good news” from our scriptures: We don’t have to suffer our troubles and afflictions alone! In his letter to the Galatian churches, Paul writes that we are to “Carry each other’s burdens and so live out the law of Christ.”
Think back to that experience of affliction you endured. Probably you came through it because SOMEONE cared enough to come along-side you so you could lean on their strength and wisdom. If so, that person is now very dear to you! In no small measure, you owe that person your life!
The Bible tells us that we all, as Christians, are called to do that for each other. The spiritual gift we are focusing on this morning is the Gift of Encouragement – one of the gifts of spiritual qualities. That means the command to “carry one another’s burdens” is not reserved for a few – but for all of us!
Yet, as we have seen with other Gifts of Spiritual Qualities, some of us are specially called and equipped to be encouragers. In this congregation, there are many with a caring heart. When someone is in crisis, those of you with this gift naturally respond, showing love and concern, bringing healing to those we care for. We even have a number of folks who have made the ministry of encouragement their place of service in our church – in various ways: as Stephen Ministers, Visitors to our Homebound, serving on our Nurture Committee, and more. Perhaps, even you…
People who help lift the burdens of others have a spiritual gift. This morning, we are, in reality, looking at two gifts that are related: one is a gift of spiritual quality, the other a spiritual role. The spiritual quality is “encouragement.” The spiritual role is “exhortation.” What is the difference between the two and how are they related?
Encouragement is defined as: “The gift to share encouraging support to those in need, strengthening the discouraged and giving hope to the downtrodden.”
Exhortation is defined as: “The gift to minister words of comfort, consolation, encouragement, and counsel to other members of the body in such a way that they feel helped and healed; to counsel by encouraging, warning, and motivating persons to proper action.”
In other words, the one who exhorts is utilizing their gift of encouragement.
In searching for our text for our service this morning, the first lesson I chose was most appropriate. It captures perfectly these gifts, beautifully describing those gifts. In fact, there is some confusion over semantics as we read the text in English, especially in modern translations. In the attempt to make the passage more readable, the “drumbeat” of the wording can get lost. If you go back to the original Greek text, you would notice that one word, appearing in various forms, is used nine times in these four verses – something like an ostinato repeated over and over again in a musical composition. It seems Paul is
wanting to make sure we get the point! The word is “parakleseos” (pah-ra’-clay-sos). Various translations render the Greek word in various ways: comfort, consolation, encourage, exhort. Which is right? All are perfectly correct, and their meanings are all related. That’s because there is no single English word that begins to adequately convey the Greek word that Paul uses here. In general, it means “Called to the aid of another.”
In my studies this week, I learned that the Greek word, “parakleseos” (pah-ra’-clay-sos) has at least two connotations. Both apply to these spiritual gifts that we are reflecting on this morning, but also to our ministries of caring here at Tomoka United Methodist Church.
The first connotation is, “comfort.”
The word, “comfort,” is often misunderstood as simply “trying to make someone feel better.” But “to comfort someone” is more than just a pat-on-the-back or mere sympathy. Instead, it involves empathy – to “feel with” someone. The English word“comfort” is from Latin, and it means to strengthen or fortify, literally “someone to lean against.”
God is the ultimate Comforter. In the King James Version, Jesus says to the disciples in the Gospel of John, “I will not leave you comfortless” (John 14:18 KJV), and “I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever.” (John 14:16 KJV). The Greek word Jesus uses to describe the Holy Spirit is “Paraclete” – the same word, “parakleseos” (pah-ra’-clay-sos), used in various forms nine different times in our scripture from Second Corinthians. By using word “Paraclete,” Jesus tells us that it is the Spirit of Christ, God’s Holy Spirit, who comes alongside us and offers us help.
There was a little girl who had lost one of her playmates to death. One day, she reported to her family that she had gone to comfort the grieving mother. “What did you say?” asked her parents. “Nothing,” she replied, “I just climbed up on her lap and cried with her.”
That evening in 1985, when I received the verdict from the board of ordained ministry, I experienced the ministry of one pastor who possessed the Gift of Encouragement. His name was Gene Rutland. As I was trying to find a private place to cry without drawing attention to myself, Reverend Rutland, one of the elder pastors on the board, sought me out. He put his arm around me and let me cry. He didn't try to fix my problem, only to say that he understood and was available, if I wanted to talk. He and I walked and talked for a while, and then, we parted company. He probably quickly forgot that incident, but I will remember him forever. He was my paraclete, who came along-side me when I need someone to lean on. I believe he saved me from abandoning ministry by offering me gentle comfort and encouragement.
Gene Rutland did what all those with the Spiritual Gift of Encouragement do. It’s what Stephen Ministers and others in Tomoka’s caring ministry do – become the paraclete for others. They are extensions and conduits of the working of the Holy Spirit. Steven Ministers and others with this gift, don't offer answers. They simply come alongside you in your time of affliction and trouble, they share your pain, and they help you put the pieces of your life back together. There is no higher calling than that!
So, the first connotation of the Greek word “parakleseos” means “to comfort.” The second meaning of that word is “to exhort.”
Exhortation means “to give words of hope, advice, admonishment, or encouragement.” Exhortation is a form of comfort, but not just “to empathize or support.” It carries the connotation of “overcoming or setting aside afflictions.” If “comfort” is the reactive side of encouragement, “exhortation” is the proactive side. “Exhortation” is often misunderstood as “pontification.” But in reality it is simply speaking words that are sincere and true. Those gifted with exhortation help people think through their situation so they can discover the course they need to take. They build others up with encouraging words. Often people with this gift become counselors, therapists, spiritual directors, or perhaps a Stephen Minister.
The most famous person in the Bible with this gift was Barnabas, whose story is told in the book of Acts. His name is appropriate - it means literally “son of consolation or encouragement.” Barnabas gave encouragement to the apostle Paul as well as to the young John Mark (who later would write the Gospel of Mark. As you will remember, Paul (then known as Saul), had set out to persecute the followers of Jesus. He had been converted by encountering the heavenly Christ on the road to Damascus. Not surprisingly, Paul had a difficult time being accepted by the other apostles. Barnabas encouraged Paul, and
acted as the bridge to help him find his way as a leader of the church. Sometime later, as Paul, John Mark, and Barnabas we're on one of their missionary journeys, Paul became angry with John Mark. Barnabas intervened and helped them part as friends.
This “son of consolation” offered encouragement to both Paul and Mark. He exhorted them to resolve their differences and find a way forward. Barnabas may have saved Paul and Mark from failure. Just imagine if Paul and Mark were not leaders of the early church. Between them, they wrote half of the New Testament. So, words of exhortation, timely spoken, can make all the difference!
After I came back home from my encounter with the Board of Ministry, I was bitter and angry. I was unable to hear their “constructive criticism.” I felt betrayed.
Then I began a relationship with the new pastor of the church that had sponsored me in the ministry, Brent Byerman. He and I would get together every so often for lunch, and just talk. At every opportunity, Brent would offer words of encouragement. He gave me an objective point of view. He challenged me where I needed to be challenged. He made me think. But he did it all with love and grace.
Before long, I was no longer angry and bitter. I was able to grow through the experience, and breezed through the boards on the next go round! Brett has the Spiritual Gifts of Encouragement and Exhortation. He was my Barnabas. Without his exhortation and encouragement, I probably would not be standing before you today.
Who is your Barnabas? Who will love you in your time of affliction? Who will come alongside you and let you lean on them until you're stronger? Who will help you put the broken pieces of your life back together?
If you are feeling pressed, afflicted, crushed, or troubled - don't try to carry your burden alone. You are not alone. Others have been there. Others care. Others can help. If you are going through a difficult time right now, I would encourage you to request a Stephen Minister. There is absolutely no cost to have a Stephen Minister. We have eight available to come alongside you in a confidential way. You can request a Stephen Minister by contacting Diane Forbes who is the coordinator for our Steven Ministry here at Tomoka (her contact info is on the insert in the bulletin). Diane will match you up with a Steven Minister so you can arrange times to talk. Your relationship and your conversations with your Stephen Minister are completely confidential. Our Stephen Ministers have been trained to come along-side you, listen in a non-judgmental way as you share your heart, and offer you encouragement. They will meet with you as often or as seldom as you like, at a location the two of you agree on. Your Stephen Minister will help you bear your burden, and make it possible for you to lay that burden down.
Please pull out the insert. On one side, you will find information about how to arrange for one of our Stephen Ministers to come along-side you to encourage you as you experience troubles and afflictions in your life. I hope you will take advantage of this opportunity.
On the other side is a list of several options if you feel you have the Spiritual Gift of Encouragement. Simply check those you may be interested in, give us your contact info, and someone will contact you about how you can put your gift into practice, and become “paraclete” for someone else.
The Joe Bayly family, over the course of several years, lost three of their children to death. In his book, view from a hearse, Joe shared his honest feelings when one of his children died: “I was sitting there torn by grief. Someone came and talked of God's dealings, of why it happened, of hope beyond the grave. He talked constantly. He said things I knew were true. I was unmoved, except to wish he'd go away. He finally did. Another came and sat beside me. He didn't talk. He didn't ask me leading questions. He just sat beside me for an hour and more, listened when I said something, answered briefly, prayed simply, and left. I was moved. I was comforted. I hated to see him go.”
That's what someone with the Gift of Encouragement can do. That's what a Stephen Minister can do. That's what you can do for someone else. Won’t you be a “paraclete” – a “Barnabas” – for others?
As Paul wrote: “Carry each other’s burdens and so live out the law of Christ.” © 2023 by John B. Gill, III