In 1988 the Kraft family relocated to Palm Springs California from Colorado Springs where we had lived for four years. We lived in Palm Springs from 1988 until 2001 when we moved to Seattle Washington.
During most of the 13 years in Palm Springs, I was part of the pastoral staff at Our Savior’s Community Church which was led by Mike Coppersmith. Mike and his wife Donna now live in Georgetown, Texas near Austin. We continue to have monthly calls to stay in touch. During these 37 years, Mike and I have become close friends and prayer partners.
Recently we connected on a trip I took to Texas and enjoyed a wonderful five hours. It had been a few years since we last had been together. We reminded each other that when I had opportunity to preach at Our Savior’s when Mike needed a Sunday off, I would “Afflict The Comfortable” and when Mike returned the following Sunday he would comfort the people whom I afflicted. We still laugh about that. I am called to stir and stretch people, challenging them to take next steps in their walk with Jesus. Mike has a marvelous Pastor’s heart for people and loves to encourage.
Mike is more gifted at encouraging and I am more gifted at challenging. It’s not that I don’t encourage or that Mike doesn’t challenge, but that we each have our strengths. Mike has opportunities in Texas to visit different churches to teach and preach. I ask him If he both encouraged and afflicted on those preaching assignments, and he always assures me that he does both.
We both laugh about this.
The word “Exhort” used in the New Testament has two meanings. See this Post where I unpack the idea:
King David had both Jonathan to encourage him and Nathan to afflict him.
I believe every Christian needs both encouragement and challenge. It takes lots of wisdom, courage and grace to know when to offer which one. As a Christian leader, how are you wired? More of a comforter or more of a challenger?
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