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YOU CAN SHARE IN THE STEPHEN
MINISTRY OF CHRISTIAN
CARE-GIVING AT RIVERMONT PRESBYTERIAN
CHURCH
Barnabas boldly proclaimed God’s Word
throughout the Roman Empire at the same time that Paul did. Though he appears
in the New Testament a number of times, we know much less about Barnabas than
we do Paul, perhaps because he wasn’t the prolific writer Paul
was.
What we do know is that he was an encourager. In
fact, his name means “the son of encouragement.” And while we might call
Stephen the first Stephen Minister (Acts 6), Barnabas could appropriately be
considered the second. He had all the characteristics of a Stephen Minister:
full of faith, mercy, patience, encouragement, and compassion. He was probable
the ideal companion to travel with on a long missionary journey in a
potentially hostile land.
Barnabas’ biggest
contribution to the Christian Church, however, isn’t a sermon he preached or an
epistle he wrote. It may simply have been his role as an encourager and as a
“Stephen Minister” to his young cousin Mark. Acts 15:36-41 recounts the
planning of Paul’s second missionary journey. It begins with a sharp
disagreement between Paul and Barnabas over whether to take Mark on the
journey. Paul is strongly against it, citing an earlier journey to Pamphylia in
which Mark for some reason had abandoned them (Acts 13:13). The details are
sketchy, but it apparently was enough for Paul to lose trust in Mark as a
faithful dependable missionary companion. But Barnabas assertively stood up for
Mark, which may not have been easy to do against Paul. He looked past Mark’s
flaws and had confidence that
Mark was a man he could trust on such an
important mission. Paul and Barnabas resolved the incident by going on
separate missionary journeys: Paul and Silas to Syria and Cilicia, and Barnabas
and Mark to Cyprus. Barnabas’ encouragement for and patience with Mark likely
had a significant positive impact on Mark’s self-image and future as an
apostle. We later learn that Barnabas’ confidence in Mark was justified,
because Mark even earns his way back into Paul’s favor (2 Timothy
4:11).
What would have happened to Mark had Barnabas
not stood by his side despite an earlier failing? Would Mark have had the
opportunity later to redeem himself and reestablish his reputation? Or would be
simply have drifted away, a failed disciple? We can only guess. What we do know
is that because Barnabas had faith that a young man could overcome an earlier
mistake or misjudgment, the young church was blessed with two missionary
journeys instead of one—and we have the Gospel of Mark.
Have you had a Barnabas in your life?
Did someone encourage and show faith in you when all others doubted? How can
you be a Barnabas to someone this week, believing in him or her despite earlier
misjudgments or mistakes? Stephen Ministry is a ministry of encouragement. A
Stephen Minister, like Barnabas, maintains faith and confidence that someone
can overcome adversity and reach their God-given potential. The payoff for such
confidence can be astounding.
How
can you be like Barnabas?
Praying regularly for our Stephen Ministries care-givers
Referring persons in need of Christian
care-giving to the Senior Minister, Dr. Dan Sansbury (877-8527) or
coordinator Beth Russell (847-1317)
Becoming a Stephen Minister yourself (a new training class is
being planned for the coming year).
Current Stephen Ministers are Charlie Baker, Marcia Biggs,
Craig and Laura Kellogg, Jean Kelly, Linda Millard, Carol Robinson, Pat Rogers,
Beth Russell, Jim Secord, Joe and Connie West.
Posted by dan.sansbury@rivermontpc.org
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