ENCOURAGEMENT
I was saddened to read of the death of the Revd. Michael Haighton whose obituary was published in The Ringing World of 7th October. Michael was kind enough to sometimes contact me by telephone following publication of my ‘Thought for the Week’ in The Ringing World. We had a lot in common, including the year of our birth, church music, playing the organ, an interest in hymns and hymn tunes, as well as bell ringing. We both served in ministry outside of the Anglican Church and were admitted to membership of the Guild of Clerical Ringers when it was opened up to Free Church Clergy. And we both took our turn at writing the ‘Thought for the Week’ in the Ringing World. Michael used to say that when he saw my contribution he knew his was due two weeks later.
I enjoyed our telephone conversations, which were invariably pleasant, always positive in response to my ‘Thoughts’, and very encouraging. The need for encouragement is vital in life as well as in bell ringing. It is so easy to become discouraged when things go wrong or we are faced with harsh criticism. I did not find it easy when I was learning to handle a bell and things would go wrong. I could so easily have given up were it not for the encouragement I received from my teacher. A pleasant approach, a positive attitude and a word of encouragement will go a long way to helping people to persevere and not despair.
The Bible encourages us to be encouragers! We first meet Barnabas (whose name means ‘Son of Encouragement’) in Acts chapter 4, and he lived up to his name. The church at Jerusalem sent Barnabas to Antioch where he, “saw the evidence of the grace of God, and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts.” (Acts 11:23) It was Barnabas who encouraged the recently converted Saul (who became the apostle Paul) by introducing him to the disciples in Jerusalem. (Acts 9:26-27) It was Barnabas who accompanied Paul on his first missionary journey. Were it not for the encouragement of Barnabas the gospel might not have spread so rapidly as it did.
We can offer encouragement in a variety of different ways. Giving support to someone at a difficult time, offering a helping hand, doing a kind deed, sending a card, writing a letter, being positive rather than negative, a word of encouragement where it is needed. Let us learn to be like Barnabas and be an encourager. Who knows what the outcome might be?
Revd. George G Cringles
A retired minister of the Church of Scotland
and a member of the Guild of Clerical Ringers