A Church That Sees Grace

Let me tell you something I love about our church.

You're a church that genuinely cares for others.

Over the past few years, Jen and I have experienced that firsthand. When I was recovering from illness, you filled our kitchen with casseroles, soups, and homemade desserts. When Pastor Appreciation Month rolled around, your cards showed up at the exact moments I needed them most. And this past year, as Jen and I have walked the adoption journey, you’ve prayed, checked in, and reminded us again and again that we’re not walking it alone.

Those things might seem small, but they’re not. They’re sacred.
Because behind every meal, every note, and every prayer is the same heartbeat that marked the first church in Antioch — the heartbeat of encouragement.

Acts 11 tells us that when word reached Jerusalem about what God was doing in Antioch, the church sent a man named Barnabas to go see it for himself.
And Luke writes:

“When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose.”
(Acts 11:23)

That’s what encouragers do.
They see grace before they see flaws.
They rejoice in what God is doing instead of worrying about what’s missing.
And they call people to keep going — not because everything is perfect, but because God is faithful.

Barnabas didn’t show up in Antioch to critique.
He showed up to celebrate.
He looked at a young, messy, growing church and said, “God’s grace is real here — stay faithful.”
And Luke tells us that because of that, “a great many people were added to the Lord.”

That’s the power of encouragement — it multiplies what God is doing.

Now, can I be honest with you for a second?
Ministry isn’t easy.

Sometimes people disagree — about what we say, how we say it, or what we didn’t say.
Sometimes we get misunderstood or misrepresented.
Sometimes we pour out and feel like we’ve got nothing left to give.

As I prepare to transition out of Pataskala Grace next year and into Newark Grace, I've faced a lot of fears. Fears like "will people come? Can we fundraiser enough to pay for rent, expenses, and my salary? Will people accept us?"

There have been moments where I’ve wondered, Is this really worth it?

But every time that thought has crept in, God’s answered it through one of you — a text, a prayer, a pat on the back, a handwritten note.
Those moments have been like oxygen for my soul.
They remind me that God still works through His people — and that even when ministry is hard, the mission is worth it.

And that’s what encouragement really is: reminding each other that it’s worth it.

Here's what I know. It's not only Tim and I who need encouragement. It's all of us who make up Pataskala Grace, whether you serve on stage, in a classroom, a sound booth, or simply show up on Sunday morning.

If we want to be a multiplying church like Antioch, we have to be a church full of Barnabases.

So here’s what that looks like this week:
1. See grace before flaws.
When you walk into church this Sunday, look for evidence of God’s grace — not what’s missing, but what’s moving.
2. Encourage intentionally.
Write one note, send one text, or have one face-to-face moment where you say, “I see God’s hand in your life. Keep going.”
3. Fuel someone’s faithfulness.
Encouragement isn’t just saying “You’re doing great.” It’s saying, “Stay faithful to the Lord. He’s worth it.”

You never know what one small word of encouragement might do.
It might lift a weary parent.
It might steady a ministry leader.
It might be the reason someone keeps showing up.

Lord Jesus, thank You for building Your church through people who notice Your grace and speak life.
Teach me to see what You’re doing before I see what’s wrong.
Help me be a Barnabas this week — someone who builds others up, strengthens their faith, and fuels Your mission.
Amen.