A Neglected Ministry

Ministries abound in churches all over the world and among the people of God. There are preaching and teaching ministries. There are evangelism ministries. There are discipleship ministries. There are missions ministries. There are ministries to feed the homeless and to help the battered and abused. There are ministries for substance addiction. There are ministries to families, to men, to women, to students and to children. There are ministries to college students, singles, those regrouping from divorce and coping with grief. There are Senior Adult ministries. There are ministries of music. There are church planting and church revitalization ministries. I have been involved in or known many of these through reading.

There is a neglected ministry. It still exists but it is harder and harder to spot. This ministry will never be promoted on center stage. Most of the people involved in this almost forgotten service prefer to be left behind the scenes anyway. They do not want to draw attention to themselves. They prefer the attention to be given to others. Yet these faithful servants and their ministry is vital to the church. That is why it is so sad that it is increasingly becoming a neglected ministry.

What ministry am I talking about? THE MINISTRY OF ENCOURAGEMENT. When is the last time you received such ministry from someone? I hope it has been pretty recent. I am betting on the truth for many it has been awhile.

Now, let me flip the question. When is the last time you encouraged someone? I hope it has not been too long. We are surrounded by people who need to be encouraged. If we ask God to open our hearts and our spirit to be in tune with Him I believe He will show us people who need the ministry of encouragement. Let's do it today.

It is easy in the busyness of life not to take the time or make the effort to encourage people. Right now someone around your life is having a hard time. Just a little word from you could make a world of difference. The ministry of encouragement should no longer be a neglected ministry. May God resurrect it to flourish among His people once again.