{"id":30761,"date":"2022-09-10T15:03:32","date_gmt":"2022-09-10T20:03:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/how-to-build-friendships-with-other-pastors\/"},"modified":"2022-09-10T15:03:32","modified_gmt":"2022-09-10T20:03:32","slug":"how-to-build-friendships-with-other-pastors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/how-to-build-friendships-with-other-pastors\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Build Friendships With Other Pastors"},"content":{"rendered":"
Rafael Garcin photo – Unsplash <\/p>\n

Pastors who want thriving and strong ministries in their communities must cultivate close friendships with local pastors.<\/strong><\/p>\n

By Jacob Lewis<\/em><\/p>\n

When others think about the active and deeply interpersonal nature of pastoral ministry, it can be hard for them to believe pastors\u2014of all people\u2014would experience loneliness. Even so, according to Lifeway Research\u2019s Greatest Needs of Pastors study, more than 1 in 4 pastors (28%) say loneliness or lack of friendship is a mental challenge they face in their ministries. Many others acknowledge the significance of having close relationships with others. More than 2 in 3 pastors say relationships with other pastors (64%) and friendship and fellowship with others (69%) are important spiritual needs to invest in.<\/p>\n

More than 1 in 4 pastors (28%) say loneliness or lack of friendships is a mental challenge they face in their ministries. Click To Tweet <\/p>\n

I am blessed to have a supportive congregation with whom I\u2019ve been able to develop close friendships. But God has also placed me in an area where I\u2019ve been able to cultivate close friendships with local pastors. This is so important to a thriving and strong ministry in any community. My brother in ministry, Allen Murray, has been a blessing to me and embodies the goodness of friendship in ministry.<\/p>\n

Why is it hard to build friendships with other pastors?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

As I consider these statistics and my own experiences with cultivating friendships in ministry, I believe we must ask the question: \u201cWhy are pastors experiencing isolation to such a degree that loneliness and lack of friendships are mental challenges in their ministries?\u201d<\/p>\n

There are many reasons for this, and I believe they all have their roots in our spiritual enemy\u2019s design to discourage those in ministry. However, I want to consider three pitfalls to avoid as we cultivate meaningful friendships in ministry.<\/p>\n

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1. Responsibility<\/h3>\n

James wrote, \u201cNot many should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we will receive a stricter judgment\u201d (James 3:1, CSB). This <\/em>is a strong reminder of the high level of responsibility every pastor accepts when ministering to the flock. Scripture is clear ministers are held to higher standards both in this life and the next. In my experience, this weight of responsibility can make it difficult to open up to others and let down my guard. There\u2019s a broad misconception that pastors are, by default, perfect and sinless. I believe this misconception perpetuates a culture of silent struggle among those in ministry.<\/p>\n

2. Competition<\/h3>\n

Every pastor has struggled with the temptation of competition\u2014especially here in the \u201cBible Belt,\u201d where each neighborhood has several churches in close proximity. It can be easy to look at our neighbor\u2019s flock and wonder if the grass is greener. One can quickly fall into this type of thinking that leads to covetousness.<\/p>\n

A competition mindset can be embittering and bring both pastors and churches to places of isolation\u2014both personally and in community outreach. \u2014 Jacob Lewis Click To Tweet <\/p>\n

We compare congregation size, effective outreach, and popularity. And before we\u2019re even aware, resentment has taken root in our hearts. This mindset can be embittering and bring both pastors and churches to places of isolation\u2014both personally and in community outreach.<\/p>\n

3. Time management<\/h3>\n

A pastor\u2019s work schedule varies from day to day. Emergency room visits, church maintenance, sermons, and lesson preparation all accumulate into a schedule that can quickly become overwhelming. While working to maintain all these aspects of ministry, a pastor must also set aside time for family life and personal growth. <\/p>\n

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See also  Why Pastors Must Acknowledge Their Own Needs<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Many pastors find themselves overwhelmed by the work requirements of ministry. With such busy schedules, many pastors simply don\u2019t have time to devote to cultivating close friendships in ministry. There are only so many hours in a day. Something must go on the chopping block. And oftentimes, pastors sacrifice their own needs for the sake of a healthy family and a healthy church.<\/p>\n

Why is it necessary to build friendships with other pastors?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

While these issues are significant, they\u2019re not insurmountable. There are good reasons for us to swallow our pride, humble ourselves, and make time for developing crucial friendships in ministry. Here are three scriptural directives we\u2019re given regarding friendship with other believers.<\/p>\n

1. Exhortation and guidance<\/h3>\n

A rolling stone gathers no moss. It can be easy for pastors in isolation to find themselves set in negative mindsets or spiritual rights that can be difficult to climb out of alone. A benefit of having friends in ministry is that we can challenge and sharpen one another as the Spirit leads us together.<\/p>\n

It can be easy for pastors in isolation to find themselves set in negative mindsets or spiritual rights that can be difficult to climb out of alone. \u2014 Jacob Lewis Click To Tweet <\/p>\n

There are times I\u2019ve been discouraged with a particular sermon or aspect of church ministry, and simply by talking to other pastors, I\u2019ve found solutions and direction. As Proverbs 27:17 tells us, \u201cIron sharpens iron, and one person sharpens another\u201d (CSB). What a privilege it is to have fellow ministers who are willing to sharpen our spirits when we feel dull and worn out by the world.<\/p>\n

2. Accountability<\/h3>\n

While pastors have many people within their own congregations who will pray for them and serve them, pastors often feel some burdens (such as seasons of spiritual doubt and discouragement or struggles with sin and shame) are inappropriate to share with others in their churches. But in 1 Thessalonians 5:11, Paul calls us to relationships of accountability, \u201cTherefore encourage one another and build each other up as you are already doing\u201d (CSB).\u202f <\/p>\n

It\u2019s important that pastors have other friends in ministry, outside of their congregations, with whom they can speak frankly about their struggles and draw spiritual strength from in times of weakness.<\/p>\n

3. Fellowship and encouragement<\/h3>\n

In Psalm 133:1 David writes, \u201cHow good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony!\u201d It should be a joyous occasion when we find ourselves in the company of other believers! Pastors, find someone whom you can laugh with. <\/p>\n

So much of our work is defined by our serious and somber attention to things of the Spirit. It\u2019s important we have time to enjoy fellowship with one another and simply share the joy of the Lord together. It\u2019s always a blessing to see pastors laughing together and sharing in the triumphs of ministry.<\/p>\n

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Jacob Lewis<\/h2>\n

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Jacob serves as the Pastor of Haw Bluff Baptist Church in Kelly, N.C. Jacob holds an M.Div in Apologetics from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and currently serves on the\u00a0Board of Directors’\u00a0Mission Catalyst Committee for the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n