Hi there. Glad you could join us. Because we've got a question to put to you.
Whether you have planted a church, or are considering it, the questions applies: what about friendship?
Doctrine, entrepreneurial skill, passion, funding, location, building, Vision Statement and the like are the kinds of things every church planter gives plenty of thought to. But is the leadership team of a church plant also thinking about, and acting out, the importance of personal support. Close emotional bonds. Key friendships.
Part of the Geneva Push support network, Cathie Heard (EV Church, Central Coast, NSW) and Renae Godden (Salt Church, Wollongong, NSW) discussed 'Keeping Friendship Alive' in a recent Planter Session Webinar. All their experience, wisdom and handy insights into an area of ministry life that can be dangerously ignored, can be found by listening to the entire Planter Session, in our Resources Section. Click here to 'Keeping Friendship Alive'.
A friend – or a parishioner?
As a taster of what you can gain from 'Keeping Friendship Alive', one of the questions Cathie and Renae responded to was: 'What's the difference between a friend, and a parishioner?' Is there a difference? Should there be? Have you ever thought about how friendship affects your relationship with congregation members? Cathie and Renae provide some brief responses, to assist you with navigating this potentially confusing terrain.
Cathie replied: 'To both, you are called upon to love, serve and give to both. Perhaps one difference is that a friend gives back, as well. So there's the sense that you are on the same plane, with your friend. But these categories are not mutually exclusive. That's important.'
Renae added: 'It's difficult, because you don't want to separate them. Because there is a sense that if you in a community with other Christians, and you are speaking the Bible into each others' lives and you love them and want to see them making wise decisions, then it's both. And you can't help people know Jesus better, if you aren't being friendly towards them.'
There is so much more about friendship in ministry, to be found by checking out the 'Keeping Friendship Alive' Planter Session webinar. So, go on then, click through.
– Ed.
