Are We Friends?

On any given day, over the course of the day, I usually have opportunity to listen to a handful of sermons via radio broadcast. The cool part is, if I'm in the vicinity of the preferred radio network, I get to hear the same pastors consistently, which I'm truly enjoying. That said, one of the broadcasts, closes their program with an "ask the Pastor" segment.

Yesterday I missed pretty much the entire sermon, but their ask Pastor submission registered in my spirit as today's #deaconThursday perspective. The question was pretty straightforward, and minus specifics regarding the context of the matter, so was the answer.

"Is it possible for a Pastor to have to have too close of a friend?"

And the short answer, was of course, yes.

Keep in mind, the specific context, one is left to wonder... and it's probably best that we didn't.

Friendships are interesting. We've all, hopefully, had some incredible friendships, forever etched in our hearts and minds. Others, we may truly regret. Thus, we approach relationships with wisdom and discernment, keeping in mind one's motives and establishing healthy boundaries accordingly. Never could this framework be more important than in these troubled and trying times.

Business relationships are cut-throat; not that that is anything new. And people have all sorts of reasons for being in the good graces and inner circles of people and organizations who are trying to affect positive change in community, whether they be an influence at a spiritual, social or economical level. Pastors are even more susceptible; to be taken advantage of in any number of scenarios and relationships that may be questionable or inappropriate.

Pastors need what we all want. Strong, healthy friends that we can rely out with second guessing why we have them as friends or how long they will remain friends with us.  Furthermore, he who wants friends must show himself friendly. But that's a perspective for another time.

Meanwhile, let's pray, this #deaconThursday, that God would encourage Pastors who feel or perhaps, truly don't have any good, close friends. May the Holy Spirit reassure them, that they are not forgotten nor neglected. Pray that God would bring healthy people into their lives who God use to be and become, a good friend. Pray for a spirit of unity among deacons and staff and those who work with Pastor's in the work of the ministry. May the relationship between them, be well-established, ground in love and the faith as they work for the cause of Jesus Christ. Finally, pray for Pastors who, perhaps, aren't easy to get along with, when it comes to friendship.  Whatever the reasons for such an existence, may God do a work in their hearts and minds and trust Him for the transformation and release that He desires to accomplish in their lives, so that they be and have a good, close friend.

For two working together get a better return for their effort
May we engage anew,
For we need the help of our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ,
Nearly as much as we need the favor of the hand of God.
For the cause of Jesus Christ.

- PNC

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