Barnabases

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 I met a Christian man at our Regional Conference last October who began attending one of our newer church plants. As he introduced himself to me he said that his goal was to be a Barnabas to the pastor of that church. That really resonated with me. Vocational pastors and non-vocational Christ-followers alike need to have a “Barnabas” and can be Barnabases.

Barnabas in the Bible was a prominent follower of Christ in the early church. He was respected among those who were charting the “Way” in the early church that we now call Christianity. His given name was Joseph but the apostles gave him the name “Barnabas” which means “son of encouragement.”

He supported the cause financially, vouched for Saul (Paul), and evangelized on missionary journeys. Who wouldn’t want to have a guy like that in their church? Such people are needed. Barnabases are immeasurably valuable  

I am transitioning from being the pastor to being the parishioner. Definitely an interesting journey. I’m also finding out that I cannot write the narrative. Throughout my ministry I thought about when I’d reach this stage of my life  I thought of being able to encourage young pastors, maybe even attending their church like my friend I met at Regional Conference. I thought I’d bless them with my library, not knowing that the digital age would negate that need.  Nonetheless I still want to be a Barnabas until the very end.

Who could benefit from your encouragement? You don’t need to be a vocational pastor to be one. Does your pastor need someone to remind them from time to time that you’re rooting for them? Full disclosure, I’m not talking about blindly overlooking things that might need to be addressed. Sometimes that’s necessary. But if you believe in how your pastor is leading, get on board, send an occasional email, gift card, etc. It will make their day. Be a Barnabas!

 those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was . For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need. Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”), sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.“

‭‭Acts‬ ‭4‬:‭34‬-‭37‬ ‭NIV‬‬ to anyone who had need. Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”), sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.“

‭‭Acts‬ ‭4‬:‭34‬-‭37‬ ‭NIV‬‬
. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who . For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need. Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”), sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.“
‭‭Acts‬ ‭4‬:‭34‬-‭37‬ ‭NIV‬‬ need. Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”), sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.“
‭‭Acts‬ ‭4‬:‭34‬-‭37‬ ‭NIV‬‬

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