Episode 19 - How To Encourage Your People

This week we have a special guest on the podcast to talk about ways that we can encourage members of our 200churches. David Craig is Jonny's Dad and has been in the ministry for forty years, the majority of those spent in 200churches.

As church leaders, we have a responsibility to encourage members of our churches. In his letter to the Thessalonians, Paul reminds his church that they are to build each other up. As pastors and leaders, that command begins with us. In the podcast we share three ways that pastors of 200churches can encourage their members:

 Pastors have to be encouraged themselves, in order to encourage others.
     -God has big plans for you at your small church. Your church is not a "starter church," it is where God has placed you in order to do big things for him.
     -Moving up to a larger church is not a promotion. The opportunity to minister at a 200church is an important responsibility, and one that we should be excited about.
     -Jesus was the pastor of a "small church." If God himself came to earth for a small group, we should be encouraged that we have been given the same opportunity!

We have to be part of the life of our congregation to encourage our people.
     -Jesus was intricately involved in the lives of his disciples. If we desire for our people to feel encouraged, we have to involve ourselves in the life of the church, not simply see the church as a stepping stone.
     -Be the type of pastor who people want to invite to their parties! Jesus was invited to weddings and funerals and everything in between. If we serve and love like Jesus did and are an integral part of our congregational life, we'll have the opportunity to encourage people in incredible ways.

Don't be reactive.
     -When we are reactive toward people, we lose the ability to show love and grace. If we respond in the heat of the moment, we miss a chance to show grace.
     -Not being reactive provides us with time to make better decisions. We have time to show grace and think through various options and approaches to snuff out potentially combustible situations. By not reacting in the heat of the moment, we have the ability to encourage everyone involved.

What other ways have you found to encourage people in your 200church? We hope that today's podcast has been helpful for you and if you'd like to read more from David Craig you can buy his book here or check out his blog here.