In the ministry I lead we have a boy named Chris.  Chris has
a lot of things going for him…he is smart, observant, and expresses
his ideas well.  (Perhaps sometimes too well, but that is a different
story.)  One of the things that is also true of Chris is that he is a
generous person.  He has, time and time again, given generously to
others.

A few months back we had a time where we were affirming some of the
good things we saw in each other and I mentioned, in front of a number
of people, how generous I thought Chris was.  Most of the people agreed
with me.  As I was saying it…and people were nodding in enthusiastic
agreement …you could almost see him saying to himself, "yes, I am a
generous person."

Since then, something very interesting has happened…Chris has gone
from being a generous person, perhaps one of the most generous teens I
have known, to an extremely generous person.  He has given away a great
deal of his hard earned money, taken time to serve others, and shared
items of great importance to him at higher levels than ever before.

I really think that part of what is going on in Chris is a maturity
and a development into the person that God desires for him to be.  But
I would also like to think that my affirmation and naming of who he is
has given him the freedom and encouragement to keep growing.

As leaders we need to be people of affirmation.  We need to affirm
what is good in people and create a strong belief in a person about
their gifts and abilities.  Besides, people just need encouragement.  I
mean, have you ever met an over encouraged person?

Affirmation must be based on what is true about a person.  Had I
told Chris I thought he was a great singer, that would not be
affirmation, but delusion!  That would have thrown into question the
truthfulness of everything else I had said to him.  He would wonder if
I even cared about him.

May the readers of Smart Pastor be people who are lavish and
honest in their praise and encouragement of others…based on truth.
Naming what is good and honorable about a person so that good and
honorable part of a person can grow, expand, and shine.  That is the work of a pastor!