Flowers for Protesters

“If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, make my joy complete: be of the same mind.”
--Philippians 2:1-2a


In 1996, Yugoslavian President Milosevic refused to accept the election results which would have swept opposition parties into power, and as a result hundreds of thousands of people protested in the streets of Belgrade. Each day as the protestors marched through the streets they were greeted by an elderly woman who stood on her balcony waving, throwing flowers and money or waving a flag. It was Olga Radovanovic. She was eighty-two, too feeble to join the marches, but cheering them on nevertheless.


Encouragement is an essential ingredient for effective ministry. We need encouragement from others to verify the inward calling that propels our work. God’s grace flows through the encouraging words of others to rejuvenate our passion for ministry. As leaders we must encourage others who volunteer and work for us. Our encouragement will help them to be more productive, it will create a sense of unity, and it will enable them that their work has meaning and connection to God’s vision.


Olga was a modern-day Barnabas, whose name means “son of encouragement.” (Acts 4:36). He was Paul’s ministry partner through some of the roughest times. Together they faced criticism and they faced persecution. Yet, the only time they got into an argument was when Mark joined them. Paul thought Mark was not inadequate for the job because he had deserted them in Pamphylia. But Barnabas was willing to give him a second chance, and Barnabas took him under his wing while Paul teamed up with Silas (Acts 15:36-41). Paul had every right to reject Mark, but Barnabas was willing to risk the immediate effectiveness of his work in order to train this young man.


What if Barnabas had not been encouraging? Perhaps Mark would have left and the church would have lost a vital leader. Or even if he had worked under Paul his enthusiasm would have been diminished and many things might not have been accomplished. Would we only have three Gospels if Barnabas had not encouraged him?


It is tempting to replace encouragement with uncomplimentary direction or criticism. When we are impatient we tend to bark out direction. When we are inflexible in our vision we tend to become critical of others who do not see it our way or do it the way we want it done. Ironically, the more we criticize and bark out order the less productive and responsive others become.


One a deeper level, our impatience and inflexibility is a sign that our leadership is not led by the Holy Spirit. Paul calls the Holy Spirit Paraklesis which can mean Encourager, Advocate, Counselor, Comforter. If our leadership is Spirit-led then we, in turn, will be an encourager to our volunteers, an advocate for their programs, a counselor in making decisions, and a comforter when their work is frustrating.

Who needs you to throw flowers at their feet today?