Expanding Your Network to Find Encouragement

Sometimes those in ministry feel like they are on a island, striving to build the kingdom with no one to share the load. Lone Ranger pastors and ministers will either leave ministry as a result of burnout or fail to reach high levels of effectiveness as a result of the wide-ranging burdens of church leadership. Ministry leaders who face the fact that they can’t do it alone are in a better position for the long haul.

Look to Paul’s words in Philippians 1.

³ I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, ⁴ always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, ⁵ because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 

Paul certainly could have functioned on an island. He had the motivation to travel. He had the boldness to preach. He had the courage to face his enemies. He had the direct calling of Jesus to go with the gospel to the Gentiles. Yet, he chose partnership. He chose to have like-minded servants around him, and it made all the difference.

Walking alongside others in ministry is often easier in a larger church or a larger city. You have a bigger staff to share the load, an abundance of volunteers with whom to relate, and others in similar churches around you. In smaller settings, especially in rural environments, it can be very challenging to find partners, fellow encouragers, and leaders in the same position to relate to. If you are in a place where the partnership factor is low, let me provide a few suggestions that move you toward some deeper, long-lasting, mutually beneficial, ministry relationships.

Look for encouragement in your church. Ministry leaders, especially Lead Pastors, have to exhibit some caution when sharing transparently with board and church members. Perhaps, though, there is a trusted individual in your church who would be willing to meet with you, hear general concerns, provide accountability and feedback, and pray for you. What about a retired pastor who has joined your church? They’ve been there and understand the pressures you face.

Engage with your local association or state convention. Conventions and associations exist for the benefit of local churches and pastors. I know many leaders in these organizations, and I know that is their heart. We often treat these organizations like a car in our garage that we never drive. We pass by it every day and then walk to work. The car was available, but we went another route. Similarly, you likely have a plethora of networking opportunities that are just a call or email away. Get in touch with your Associational Missionary or a staff member in your state convention and let them know your desires.

Build your own local network. If there are other churches in your area, you may want to get them together to foster fellowship, accountability, and idea-sharing. When I first became a Children’s Pastor, a fellow Children’s Pastor who I met at a conference and I decided to start a regional Children’s Ministry Network of churches in multiple denominations. We met 6-8 times a year at a different church, sourced sponsors, brought in speakers, and gave facility tours. And the guy I mentioned above has been my best friend for almost 20 years now!

Go to a conference. Conferences used to be a trichotomy of large group sessions, exhibitors, and breakout workshops. Now, there are typically opportunities to have a meal with like-minded leaders or to go to a special session that facilitates relationship development and networking. Or just go to a conference and start meeting people. You are a pastor; you have the people skills to do that!

Join a network. Other places you can go include online communities like Church Answers, affiliation-driven groups like the Pillar Network, cohorts from the Ligon Group or Ascent Leader, or a soul-care organization like Pastors Collective.

Reach out to an old colleague or rekindle a friendship with someone who may be in the same boat. This one is going to be just a bit weird for some of you and perhaps interpreted as wholly selfish. Rekindling old friendships and connections, though, is often refreshing. You get to hear how the Lord has moved in that person’s life across the years and look for commonalities that may not have existed years ago.

I can personally attest to this. In building this new business, I began reaching out to people that I talk to very little or haven’t talked to in 10-15 years. Though I had some personal benefit for BSP in mind, I cherished the stories of God’s faithfulness I heard as I caught up with them. These rekindled relationships inspired me, encouraged me, and refreshed my spirit. I found new connections and learned of ways to pray for these long-lost friends. I’m the better for it!

There’s a saying I’ve heard and we use at our church sometimes – We get to do this together! Ministry is better together. We need each other. What step will you take this week to form some new partnerships?

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