Get Off the Island

 No man is an island, yet many pastors live on their own created landmasses. Since the Church Growth Movement became a thing, pastors have lived in a mindset that they compete with one another, and the attitude must stop.

 

Pastors are better together; after all, even Solomon wrote that “Iron sharpens iron,

    and one man sharpens another” Proverbs 27:17

Why are pastors not trying to have time together if that is the case?

The current pandemic has created a situation in our country where we are seeing 300 churches a week close their doors, and many of those pastors feel lost, abandoned, and alone.

 

We also have a growing number of pastors entering bi-vocational fields, where they need another job to make income. Thus, the days of a morning coffee and prayer time is becoming less of an option, and it would appear that no one is willing to organize meetings for bi-vocational guys.

 

So what are we to do?

 

We need to begin becoming our own networks for one.

 

Hear me out on this. I’m not saying abandon the network you are in; they are good to us, but just because they can’t scratch an itch in one place doesn’t mean to throw the baby out with the bathwater.

 

We all have connections, so with our contacts, we need to begin to form better relationships that will help us sharpen our skillsets and create opportunities to help each other out, especially when the regular option isn’t on our own time.

 

Another point is that we are our best advocates. Think about it, when you go to the doctor, you’re telling your doctor the symptoms of the issues; they aren’t guessing why you are there. They hear and make educated choices based on their learning and experience, which we need in our circles.

 

If current statistics are correct, we need to act now. I’m betting that a number of you reading this are on an island right now, thinking of quitting, but now is the time to surround yourself with people who can encourage and strengthen you. Will you make a choice?