It is easier to tell than to train, to enforce than to encourage, to punish than to discipline.
Much of what is said and done as it relates to someone other than self, can often be done in the most convenient, most uninvolving fashion. This could be due to carelessness, laziness or perhaps due to too tight of a time schedule. Whatever the case, the fast paced lives we live today seem to have all of us investing more time in our daily activities than in other people.
At home we are surrounded by the ones we love most. Yet, we can involve ourselves in so many activities outside of the home that we sometimes can go almost a full day without even talking to or seeing one or more of our family members. And often when we do manage to be around each other, we wind up in front of the TV or each doing "his own thing" which requires very little interaction with anyone else. We want to see our family grow and flourish, but our tactics are often to demand and expect, rather than to encourage and teach.
How would God have us invest time in our families?
The church is a family as well. One which has many members who need encouragement, love and nurturing. This requires time and attention. But if the only contact between members occurs on Sunday, there is very little quality time that can be given to any other member. And if the only interaction takes place during services and planned activities, it's hard for anyone to really get close enough to someone else to encourage them.
Even the pulpit, in some cases, has taken the less involved role with the members. It has become the platform from which the members are often told what they should be doing, or what they are doing wrong. Yet, in some cases there seems to be little said or done to instruct the members just how they are to do what they should, or how to avoid the wrong.
For some congregations, what is perhaps needed more is less preaching and more teaching, and one on one instruction, and love, and nurture. If you are told that, "You need to be witnessing," it is the responsibility of your leaders to tell you how to do it, and to show you if need be (and that in itself must also be done according to the Spirit and not human standards).
If you are instructed, "You need to be giving," it would be beneficial that someone should first demonstrate proper giving on all levels--including time and attention (this too as led by the Spirit).
Each week, there are many Christians who hear what they "need" to be doing and haven't a clue where to start. They go out, and they try, and many fail.
They are then discouraged and feel ashamed in their inability to accomplish their religious duty. Then they are back in church the next week to start the process all over again.
Those who are given the responsibility to lead realize that is not to be taken lightly. They should also consider that a well-rehearsed discourse and three points and a poem may often fall short of fulfilling their spiritual duty. If the message leaves the members realizing their need but not knowing what to do about it, then they leave as empty as they came.Only now they are burdened whereas they may not have been at first.
The responsibility that God has placed upon us all is to encourage and nurture--to edify and lift up. This will not leave a member empty and disheartened, but filled and prepared and with a sense of "I can do it!"
How far will we go to encourage another? Is it worth our time? Of course. From a kind word to a one-on-one Bible study, there are many ways to encourage.
Ask God to show you ways to teach and encourage others in Christ. Then make a list of what He tells you.
Then put it to work.
"Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds (Heb.10:24).
