Lead with Encouraging

A Sermon on 2 Thessalonians 2:7-12

Paul introduces a powerful metaphor for pastoral leadership in this passage, that pastoring is a lot like parenting. Isaac Smith notes that he also gives us a pattern for leading in this way in verse 11 where he says he encouraged, comforted, and urged them to live worthy lives. Smith notes that the order is important. When we lead with encouragement, we open the door for comfort and rebuke; when we lead with rebuke, we build a wall. He relates some stories about the power of encouraging, noting the importance of using a position of leadership for encouraging, rather than tearing down.

Biography

Reverend Isaac Smith is a churchman. He has planted a church and served small bi-vocational churches, mid-sized churches, and a large growing congregation. For the past thirteen years he has been District Superintendent of the Dakota District of the Wesleyan Church. Rev. Smith also serves on several boards in The Wesleyan Church, including the General Board and Oklahoma Wesleyan University. Isacc is married to Esther, and they have three married sons, two of whom are Wesleyan pastors, and seven grandchildren. They live on a small ranch in Wyoming.