Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
A January Reflection on Barnabas, and the Purpose of the Church
Let us all take a moment to breathe.
With the holiday season behind us and a new year underway, the Church experiences a unique and sacred moment to pause. This is an opportunity to contemplate our ongoing transformation and consider the nature of the faith we share and practice collectively.
The early Church faced a similar moment, though under quite different circumstances. In the book of Acts, believers learned how to live as a community, share resources, raise up leaders, and trust God when the future was uncertain. Here, we meet a man whose life still imparts a subtle yet powerful influence.
“And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation), a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,
Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.”
— Acts 4:36–37, KJV
Joseph (in Hebrew, Joses in Greek) was his given name.
Barnabas—Son of Consolation, or Son of Encouragement as we now refer to him—was his reputation.
Barnabas is not one of the biblical figures most people instantly think of.
He is not seated at the table in famous paintings of the Last Supper.
He doesn’t get a song to sing in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Jesus Christ Superstar.
He was not present at the birth of Christ, so he is not part of our Christmas pageants.
We do not read of him at the end of Christ’s life on Earth, so he is not mentioned during Easter services.
Yet Barnabas was present for something just as important: The Beginnings of the Church
Barnabas played a significant role when the teachings of Jesus transitioned from the Gospels into everyday life within real communities, helping others live out, share, teach, and nurture their faith. Again and again in the book of Acts, he appears not at the center, but at the edges where growth is fragile: encouraging believers, giving generously, teaching faithfully, and standing beside others when it would have been easier—and safer—to step away.
Barnabas shows that those who are less prominent often play a key role in building the Church.
It is created by resolute individuals—those who support others, rely on God for results, and consistently contribute even when no one is watching.
That Spirit Did Not End in Acts
That kind of faithfulness did not end in the first century.
Its success persists in environments where individuals receive support rather than rejection, are trusted instead of ignored, and are motivated to grow instead of being held back by reminders of their history.
One of our ministers, whom we will refer to here as Dr. JKG, came to us in that same spirit. He did not arrive with an easy story, but with a sincere desire to follow Christ and serve His Church. Dr. JKG was incarcerated in 2006, yet even there, faith began to take root—not as a performance, but as a steady pursuit of Scripture, discipline, and calling.
When Dr. Davy ordained Dr. JKG in 2012, the defining question was not what he had done, but where he wanted to go. Dr. Davy did not deny the man’s reality, but encouraged and insisted that repentance is real, growth is possible, and God is not finished with anyone who is willing to respond. Dr. JKG continued forward, completing his doctoral study in 2020. Along the way, he served. He continues to serve.
In a recent report reflecting on his ministry through the fall and winter months, Dr. JKG shared that he took part in a Church Leadership Team, served as a Sunday School Teacher and VBS Teacher, contributed to Pulpit Ministries, and led Bible Study and Cell Groups. These are not ceremonial roles performed month after month. He consistently and reliably works to shape disciples and reinforce faith.
In this recent report Dr. JKG called on all of us:
“I encourage you to have a teachable spirit, the desire, and pursue the reputation of that of Barnabas.”
Encouragement, when it is real, does not stop with one person—it multiplies. His faithfulness has encouraged others to pursue ordination, step into teaching, and begin leading Bible studies themselves. This is how the Church grows—not through spectacle, but through shared faithfulness.
REMINDER! The Church Is Not for the Empires of Earth
Buildings are not the mission.
Appearing on a national stage next to a political figure is not the mission.
The Church exists to build people’s faith and to carry God’s grace to real lives—not to serve political power, government agendas, or cultural empires. Yet throughout history, churches have been tempted to trade their prophetic voice for proximity to power. When faith is used to baptize politics, protect institutions, or secure influence, something essential is lost.
Jesus was not subtle about this.
“And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers…
And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.”
— Matthew 21:12–13, KJV
Jesus was not condemning structure; he was condemning misuse.
He was not rejecting the Temple; he was rejecting a system that had begun to serve itself instead of God’s people.
That warning still stands.
When churches exist primarily to protect property, preserve tax advantages, secure political favor, or keep access to power, they drift from their calling. When the Church becomes a tool of enterprises—religious or national—it stops resembling the Body of Christ.
The Church is not for building empires; it is for God’s grace on people.
A Living Contrast
This is why examples of generosity without strings attached stand out so clearly in our culture. It helps explain why, in a deeply divided nation, Dolly Parton is one of the very few people almost everyone can agree is a hero.
Dolly has wealth. She has influence. She does not live in poverty. Yet, she is known less for what she keeps than for what she gives. She donates millions of books to children through her Imagination Library.
She provides generous employment packages for Dollywood employees. She has donated to a children’s hospital and communities after disasters. Dolly uses what she has to lift others, not to insulate herself or demand loyalty. She does not weaponize her faith. She does not tie generosity to politics.
People notice this spirit in everyday heroes. Let’s seek out and share positive news in our communities! Better yet, let’s BE THE GOOD NEWS in our communities—not for fame or fortune, but for the spiritual welfare of our fellow citizens of planet Earth.
Even those who are distant from the Church can see the clear distinction between power that serves itself and resources that are used to help others. This awareness is a reason people drift away from or disregard religion. When someone enters a building lavishly decorated with gold, they may wonder how they can contribute to a meaningful purpose, rather than simply supporting the maintenance of the decor. Also, why would anyone in need of a spiritual force in their life be drawn to institutions used to tear down others or only provide wealth and privilege for a few? Set the example that changes minds.
That distinction is the same one we see in the very appropriately named Acts.
“Neither was there any among them that lacked… and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.”
— Acts 4:34–35, KJV
Barnabas did not sell land to preserve an institution. He sold it so faith could grow. His generosity flowed downward—toward people, not power. Right after Barnabas is introduced we are told the contrasting story of Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, who also said they were selling property with proceeds going to the Church. Ananias, however, withheld part of the money. When confronted with their lie, both died quite dramatically and their hypocrisy is now immortalized FOR ALL TIME. Not the legacy I’d want to leave. Be like Barnabas.
Our own Dr. JKG currently has few resources or opportunities, yet he generously invests what he does have: time and energy into others.
The reports from our ordained ministers show abundance of this spirit. Please continue sharing as your messages motivate Sister Cathy and me to preserve Dr.’s history and legacy.
A Reputation Worth Pursuing
As we begin a new year, the question before us is not How big will we become?
It is How encouraging to others will we be?
“Freely ye have received, freely give.”
— Matthew 10:8, KJV
The Church exists to build people up with spiritual guidance. To provide opportunities to help others spread the joy and fulfillment of Christ.
Everything else, buildings, public personas, influence—must serve that purpose.
May we pursue the reputation of Barnabas. Dolly. Dr. JKG.
May we build people, not empires.
May God’s grace always find its way to those who need it most.
A Prayer for the New Year
Gracious and merciful Father,
We thank You for the example of Barnabas, and for every quiet servant who continues his work today. We thank You for lives changed through encouragement, for faith strengthened through teaching, and for grace that meets people where they are. Guard us from the temptation to build empires instead of disciples. Keep us from confusing influence with faithfulness. Give us courage to overturn tables when necessary, and humility to serve always.
As we move through this new year, help us build faith, carry grace, and trust You with the results.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ,
Amen.
Kelly Kendrick
Volunteer