Becoming Barnabas: The Ministry of Encouragement

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...