The Encouragement Card

A hush has fallen over the Sunday morning sanctuary. I've preached and prayed; now, my own eyes still closed and my head bowed, I speak to the church family which faces me.

"It's time to pray in silence for someone you love or know to be in need. After you have prayed, take an encouragement card from the pew rack in front of you, and write that person a note to show you care."

I sit down on a bench behind the pulpit; we are all praying. In a moment, a gentle rustling begins throughout the room as cards and pencils are taken from the rack, and we start to write our messages of love. The Holy Spirit, the Comforter and Encourager, is moving in hearts. Now, everyone becomes a minister by sharing fruits of ministry far more widespread than anything I or a few other "official" pastors could accomplish. In a short while, the order of service changes; the cards are dropped into collection plates.

"Stimulate one another to love and good deeds," exhorts Hebrews 10:24-25, "not ...