The RPC

A couple weeks ago, one of the state reps at the South Carolina One Day Seminar asked me, "what is the single most effective encouragement tool you use as the National Encourager?" I told him "you know what?, that is a very good question." More than a pathetic attempt to stall the man (it didn't work anyway), I meant it... it really was a great question! I thought about it for more than a few moments of hemming and hawing, and then it came to me clear as a bell- the random phone call.

Throughout the time I have spent in ministry, the random phone call (or RPC as it is known to us encourager coaches) has been an incredibly potent weapon in the fight against discouragement. It's a relatively effortless, and extremely efficacious way to, well... reach out and truly touch someone.

Here are three simple steps you can take in order to pull off the perfect RPC.

1) Pray for the person you are about to call.

"I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone..." (1 Timothy 2:1)

2) Call the person at a time that is convenient for them, and begin the conversation like this:
"Have I caught you at a bad time?"

If you are satisfied by their answer that it is indeed a good time to talk, simply explain that you were just praying for him or her (it's best to call someone of the same gender-thus the male and female encourager coach roles), and that you are thankful God has put him or her in your life. Specifically name positive attributes, giftings, assets this person possesses that you are especially appreciative of and excited about seeing used for God's glory.

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

3) Close the conversation by asking how you could continue to pray for this person, and then ask if it would be ok to pray for any needs mentioned to conclude the RPC.

"With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith." (2 Thessalonians 1:11)

Be an encouragement to someone today. Reach out and...

-john