A word of encouragement to you, BCC…

Shared by Kelly

A word of encouragement to you, BCC…

[I feel like I’m writing an epistle!]

We’ve all had time over the last month to observe. To see things differently. To change our perspective (even if it was forced).

Behaviours have changed also, and for the most part for the better. Connection where it hasn’t been. Appreciation for roles never experienced before. And for many, more time to breathe, care, and see the needs of others.

As a church family, we've moved to a world of worship online. And it too has come with revelation (for me anyway).

I have loved the proliferation of church community, particularly on social media. The positive comments, the appreciation, the joy, the enthusiasm in being an active part of the body of Christ.

It’s been a learning curve to do church and ministry online – lots of hard work, but hard work with the joyful purpose of making Christ the centre of our lives. Our mainstay through all of this.

I’ve loved seeing an overflow of praise from people – comments, true words of encouragement, prayer, praise, thankfulness – for the many involved in putting the things of church life together. For each other.

It’s a beautiful thing!

And perhaps not a common thing… From years of involvement in church life and making elements of regular church happen, praise is few and far between. That’s not a gripe, or a need – it’s simply an observation.

There is so much that gets poured into elements of church – heart, soul, spirit, and time… lots of it. There’s a deep vulnerability in that. And in the quiet after, when no-one’s saying much – if anything – that’s when the lies come, an attack of the spirit. Sometimes it makes you question yourself, ‘am I doing this right?’ ‘am I actually pointing people to God?’ ‘Is anyone taking heart from this?’ ‘is it even worth it?!’.

Not that anyone serving God should be doing it for their own praise and recognition, of course. We know our purpose. We know who we serve, and who we should be bringing glory to. But a truly affirming word to someone, can be the word that turns our hearts from burden to joy in our acts of service.

So thank you. Wholeheartedly.

But don’t stop there.

As we step down the levels and back into real life, we’ll be seeing less of each other online, the comment trails will die back, the LIVE nature of commenting throughout church will trail off (probably a good thing!), and we’ll settle back to services in person (I’m so looking forward to seeing you all!).

But here’s my word of encouragement to you – keep your appreciative heart and words coming – see the little things, see the heart, see the energy and effort someone has put in to serving in WHATEVER way. See their desire to point to God – and acknowledge it. As Hebrews 10:24 encourages, ‘Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works’.

I’m not calling for an overflow of positivity, shallow words slippery with flattery. But true, honest words of encouragement, quiet words even, spurring each other on in our pursuit of Christ.

Church hasn’t looked perfect in the last weeks. There’s been so much to just test and see, to try our best at, and hope. But you know what? I’ve seen a beautiful spirit of grace come out in you all – a heart of thankfulness for what’s been done in really difficult circumstances, for the energy and effort poured in, and how people have been brought together and encouraged in a tough time.

There’s a grace that things aren’t perfect, and that church is more than a polished service – it’s the people. Seeing each other on screen on a Sunday is one of the greatest joys of the week, right now! Thank you all for your contributions to making church happen!

It's pretty evident, lockdown has changed our culture of consumption, and perhaps it has changed our consuming nature in a church context too? Well I hope so. Less ‘what’s in it for me?’. More we are one, we are the body, we are all part of the life of the church, and we all add to it. Whether we’re on screen, on stage, on morning tea, doing ministry at home, or simply saying a little word to uplift another over a cup of tea.

You matter. And your words of encouragement matter too.

Ephesians 4: 15-16

15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

Grace be with you!

Kelly