I am grateful to our friends at The Blenheim News-Tribune for providing this space each week for pastors to share our “view from the pulpit.”
Let me tell you about my view from the pulpit on Sundays. I don’t just see a congregation of people; I see a family. I see my family. I see my brothers and sisters in Christ.
From the pulpit, I see people who I love and care about, who also love and care about me. From the pulpit, I see people who need my encouragement, who also encourage me.
Encouragement is the “Vitamin E” that helps a church stay healthy. The Bible says, “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another” (Hebrews 10:25a).
Notice that the word “encouragement” contains the word “courage.” To encourage someone means to instill courage in them. The Christian life is not easy, which is why we need courage to live for Jesus in this difficult world.
After Moses died, Joshua became the new leader of God’s People. When God gave Joshua his instructions, He told him three times to “be strong and courageous” (Joshua 1:6, 7, 9). Later, Joshua received the exact same encouragement from the people he was about to lead. They told him to be strong and courageous (Joshua 1:18).
If you are a follower of Jesus, your brothers and sisters need your encouragement. Even your pastor and church leaders need your encouragement. Help them get that much-needed Vitamin E.
Pastor Kent Babbey
Blenheim Baptist Church