Be a Fanatic for Encouragement

Cell Coaching

Joel Comiskey

Winter 2016

I love the phrase, “Be a fanatic for encouragement.” I’m not sure where the phrase originated, but I use it often and try to apply it in my own coaching of pastors and cell leaders.

We can’t encourage enough. Never think, “I don’t want to give this leader a big head, so I better withhold encouraging him or her.” Rather, pass on the encouragement. Don’t worry about the big head. Life will soon send the leader enough discouragements to quickly douse the excitement that your encouragement brings.

Encouragement is especially important in the last few weeks of the year when leaders are coming to the end of their faithful service all year. Always remember that the cell leaders and coaches are volunteers and one form of “payment” is through encouragement and reminding them their reward is in heaven.

Paul said to the Thessalonians, “Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work.” (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13). Paul is referring here to the house church leaders and perhaps to overseers of other house church leaders who were doing a great job. The early church context applies directly to encouragement to modern day cell leaders and those who are coaching them.

Some leaders have been more fruitful than others, and it is right to esteem those who have multiplied and borne much fruit. Yet, all are worthy of encouragement for faithfully showing up, preparing the lessons each week, pastoring God’s flock, and attempting to make disciples who make disciples through cell ministry.