I like the way Paul begins all his epistles with a compliment...
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I always like the way Paul begins all his epistles with a compliment. He lets them know of his love and prayers for them and his appreciation for what they are doing for the Lord.
I try to do the same when I write my children. I always start with the good things they have done. I have a son who was in jail for his drinking and of course, that is a major concern to me. But when I write or phone him, I first mention the good things I know about him. He had served as a counselor and I met some whom he had counseled and they loved him because of his care and loving support for them. When he was sober he was a very kind and caring person. He took care of his mother whose mind was going and needed his help. I started at the good things before mentioning that my pray was for him to go back to those days when I was so proud of him. We are still very close because of that. It is the way to keep any relationship open.
There is a missionary who served in Africa. His daughter became engaged to a Muslim boy. His folks liked the boy as a person but the idea of her marrying a Muslim was so disturbing to them that they had alienated her with their ranting and shouting. It was cutting off any opportunity for reconciliation. Now she doesn't want to talk with them, even though she tells me that she still loves them.
When I think of all the churches I have served, I remember kind thoughts about many of the people whom I served. I can't remember the names of everyone, but when I write them, I let them know how much I appreciated all the support they had given me when I served them. If I could think of any thing specific, I mentioned it. If their present pastor lets me know of any encouragement they might need, I include support for anything they can do to help the work of the Lord there -- pointing up the fact of all the things of which I knew they were capable. Yes, at the end, I might mention some problems I had with a few of them (and some problems I heard were continuing), but I let them know that I still continue to love them and keep them in my prayers.
One sign of spiritual growth in a congregation is their liberal giving. I served with a pastor who didn't care for the charismatic movement, but he told me that the first thing he did was check their record of giving. When he discovered that their giving had increased, he said he was not going to complain to them. So when he saw them in church, the first thing he did was compliment them on their generous giving. So their relationship was preserved. Go thou and do likewise!
I try to do the same when I write my children. I always start with the good things they have done. I have a son who was in jail for his drinking and of course, that is a major concern to me. But when I write or phone him, I first mention the good things I know about him. He had served as a counselor and I met some whom he had counseled and they loved him because of his care and loving support for them. When he was sober he was a very kind and caring person. He took care of his mother whose mind was going and needed his help. I started at the good things before mentioning that my pray was for him to go back to those days when I was so proud of him. We are still very close because of that. It is the way to keep any relationship open.
There is a missionary who served in Africa. His daughter became engaged to a Muslim boy. His folks liked the boy as a person but the idea of her marrying a Muslim was so disturbing to them that they had alienated her with their ranting and shouting. It was cutting off any opportunity for reconciliation. Now she doesn't want to talk with them, even though she tells me that she still loves them.
When I think of all the churches I have served, I remember kind thoughts about many of the people whom I served. I can't remember the names of everyone, but when I write them, I let them know how much I appreciated all the support they had given me when I served them. If I could think of any thing specific, I mentioned it. If their present pastor lets me know of any encouragement they might need, I include support for anything they can do to help the work of the Lord there -- pointing up the fact of all the things of which I knew they were capable. Yes, at the end, I might mention some problems I had with a few of them (and some problems I heard were continuing), but I let them know that I still continue to love them and keep them in my prayers.
One sign of spiritual growth in a congregation is their liberal giving. I served with a pastor who didn't care for the charismatic movement, but he told me that the first thing he did was check their record of giving. When he discovered that their giving had increased, he said he was not going to complain to them. So when he saw them in church, the first thing he did was compliment them on their generous giving. So their relationship was preserved. Go thou and do likewise!
