If you’re in the ministry you need to listen to what I’m about to say.  One of the biggest differences between those who last in the ministry and those that don’t is that the ones that last have friends.  That might sound like a pretty simple thing to do but, trust me, being in the ministry and having friends (real friends) can be a challenge.

Most pastors are some of the loneliest people you’ll ever meet.

The truth is that most pastors know how to be friendly without really letting people get close to them.  They do this as a self-defense mechanism.  Many people come into the life of the average pastor with weird motives.  Some just want something from you and they’re gone.  Others, really want to get close to you but then discover that you’re human and they bolt.  This cycle of having friends and then losing them, over and over again, is painful and eventually most folks in the ministry just stop trying.  They get to a point where they have trust issues and simply stop allowing folks to get close to them anymore.

This is the problem because everyone needs friends, especially those that are constantly serving others.  SO, if you’re in the ministry, I urge you to do whatever you need to do to cultivate some real friendships in your life.  They may have to happen outside of your church but that’s okay.  Just get some friends.  Trust me, not only are you going to need them on a personal level but it’s a strategic investment in your future ministry as well.

And, by the way, if you already have some REAL friends in your life, cherish them.  They are truly gifts from God.

BTW, I saw this outstanding post on Steven Furtick’s blog about fans and friends the other day and it prompted me to finally post my thoughts on friends in the ministry here.  This post had been sitting as a draft on my computer for a long time.