Becoming Barnabas

Western culture has made a cult of success and the church has accepted the larger culture's definition focusing on success as growth in membership and budget rather growth in faithfulness as disciples of Jesus. When we do not measure up we become discouraged disillusioned and perhaps even envious. Moots details numerous examples to show how the ministry of encouragement offers a workable effective pattern for church leadership. I am convinced he writes that accepting Barnabas as my model has changed my ministry for the better and that Barnabas's example can benefit any pastor and congregation who take his lessons seriously. Barnabas and his ministry of encouragement offer us a focus for the vital messy and exhilarating work required of us as faith communities.