Are you using encouragement to move your team forward? (115-5)

Effective leaders know that encouragement precedes mobilization. Read Ezra 6:13-15.

Cyrus, the king of Assyria who had given the Jewish exiles free reign to return to their homeland and rebuild the temple was no longer king. When Artaxerxes became king the local opposition living near Jerusalem pulled a political end game and convinced the new king the Jews would be a threat to Assyria if the temple construction continued. “Thus the work on the house of God in Jerusalem came to a standstill (some 14 years) until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia” (4:24).

The people living in Jerusalem were afraid to restart construction even though Artaxerxes was no longer king. God sent two prophets, Haggai and Zechariah, to encourage the people to finish construction of the temple. Despite continued opposition, Haggai and Zechariah inspired and encouraged the people to resume work and the temple was completed and dedicated to the Lord in 516 BC. Encouraging leaders are able to help their team follow through on what they have begun.

Encouragement is to a team what wind is to the sails of a sail boat – it moves people forward. When a team rams head-on into difficult circumstances they need encouragement and reassurance from their leaders in order to remain faithful to the task. Effective leaders sustain hope by offering words, support and actions of love and courage to their team. Few functions a leader performs are more important than keeping hope alive.

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 “May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.”