I recently read a book entitled, “Replenish” by Lance Witt. In his book about Pastor Leadership he stated that 70% of pastors do not have someone in their life the call a close friend. I would propose that this is not only pastors. I find this is most people. This “friendship deficiency” is more prominent in men than in women however as our world is becoming more isolated - the issue is seen in both genders.
On a monthly basis I join a pastor friend & mentor of mine for breakfast. It is a time when we can lift one another up, pray for one another, help with advice and counsel and just talk “Pastor-stuff”. It is important to us each that we intentionally take time from our schedules to meet together. I can say it is one of greatest investments in time I have made over the years.
If you are married then your spouse is rightly your go-to person, and of course, Michelle is mine. She is the person I am honored and blessed to share everything with in life. She is my partner in all things and my closest friend. However, it is also invaluable for me to have another man that I can just “hang” with regularly, laugh with, grumble with, one who will encourage me when I’m down and tell me I’m wrong when I’m wrong. And a person I can also return the favors of all these blessings as well without fear of retribution. A person that holds me accountable and one that I also hold accountable when necessary. A friend and a mentor.
If you do not have a person, of the same gender, that you call FRIEND and one that is also a mentor, I want to encourage you to open yourself up and ask God to help you find a person that will fill your "friendship deficiency." And remember it is so true - “to have a friend, you must first be a friend.”
Happily Serving our Lord,
Rev Rod
On a monthly basis I join a pastor friend & mentor of mine for breakfast. It is a time when we can lift one another up, pray for one another, help with advice and counsel and just talk “Pastor-stuff”. It is important to us each that we intentionally take time from our schedules to meet together. I can say it is one of greatest investments in time I have made over the years.
If you are married then your spouse is rightly your go-to person, and of course, Michelle is mine. She is the person I am honored and blessed to share everything with in life. She is my partner in all things and my closest friend. However, it is also invaluable for me to have another man that I can just “hang” with regularly, laugh with, grumble with, one who will encourage me when I’m down and tell me I’m wrong when I’m wrong. And a person I can also return the favors of all these blessings as well without fear of retribution. A person that holds me accountable and one that I also hold accountable when necessary. A friend and a mentor.
If you do not have a person, of the same gender, that you call FRIEND and one that is also a mentor, I want to encourage you to open yourself up and ask God to help you find a person that will fill your "friendship deficiency." And remember it is so true - “to have a friend, you must first be a friend.”
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.
Happily Serving our Lord,
Rev Rod
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