Most Pastors Have No Friends

I came across this blog post which has a quote from H.B. London who is head of pastoral ministries for Focus on the Family that said, "at least 70 percent of pastors in the United States claim they have no friends."

photo © 2005 Rufino | more info (via: Wylio)


Pastor Pete Wilson makes some very good points in his post. Pastors along with everyone else were created to be in community. It is 'heartbreaking' as Wilson says, to hear the alarming statistic given by London, because being in community, having solid, good friends is such a true need.

Jesus no doubt had some good friends, his disciples of course. Yet he also seemed to have an inner core James, John, and Peter. Along those lines he also seemed to like to spend time at the house of Lazarus. The next most famous person in the entire New Testament Paul also seemed to have some close friends read chapter 16 of Romans!

The need for us to have friends is without question. The question is should pastors have/make strong friendships with people from his/her church? What if the church is a small church? Is it easier or more acceptable in a larger church?

As a leader/pastor it can be a difficult line to walk. Wilson points out correctly that often pastors will hear never, never make close friends, specifically it's been said, close friends with people of your congregation because they can use things you say against you. Though there's truth to that, Wilson goes on to say, "If a normal person has friends we call it healthy. If a pastor has close friends we call it a "clique."

Again the question is not if a pastor should have friends over all but if he/she should have close friends from within their congregation(s).

In making close friends there is always a risk, just like falling in love. We risk getting hurt. God made us, knowing that we could, not want to be 'friends' with Him. Though that's hard to fully understand to some point, there is a valuable principle. Making friends, close friends at that, there is always that risk of getting hurt. I believe pastors need to take that risk as they feel led in prayer and congregations should not critique the pastor for it without merit.

If congregations want pastors to stay a long time in their church than they need to understand that he/she will need to make friends. The pastor should never play favorites and the friends must also understand the role of his/her friend as pastor.

So what do you think? If you're a pastor/leader do you have close friends within your congregation/organization? As a member of whatever church you may go to, do you know if your pastor has any close friends among the congregation? Are you ok with it?

Javi

Arizona tragedy and Political Rhetoric

By now we have all heard of the tragedy that occurred this past Saturday in Tucson, Arizona as congresswoman of Arizona Gabrielle Giffords (pic below) was shot in the head, several others injured and six were killed by a young man of 22 years named Jared Loughner.

photo © 2009 Freedom To Marry | more info (via: Wylio)


Since the incident the news media has been talking much about the political rhetoric, as different individuals from both parties (democrats and republicans) to some degree have implied or stated that this is in part the reason a man would just take a gun and start shooting at people at a political event.

Below you can watch two videos, the first is Keith Olbermann from MSNBC making a comment about the 'political rhetoric' after the incident in Arizona. Some important notes: 1) I absolutely don't agree with most of what this man says overall. (note I said overall, not necessarily the video below. 2) I don't normally watch his show. 3) I came across this commentary through someone tweeting it and thought I would post it here and let you decide what you think of it. 4) If you haven't been following all the news this will help bring you up to speed. 5) Lastly, again, I DON'T agree with much of what Mr. Olbermann says overall...



Also here is President Obama's speech at the memorial of the one's killed during the shooting. Some interesting points are made. Again you decide

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So how does all this apply here at Bathos? Well in many ways and I'll be brief and to the point.

1. To blame anyone but the shooter regardless of 'political rhetoric' is to open up a can of worms that will be hard to close. Would we blame 'political rhetoric' if for example someone went into a health food store and stole a bunch of healthy foods since unhealthy food is so much cheaper to buy than healthy food and the individual wants to eat healthy but can't afford it. People have blamed lobbyist's and politics for this...
2. As Christians we can't forget there's this huge problem called SIN.
3. Though we should put full blame on the shooter, there is no doubt that everyone, yet especially those claiming the name of Jesus, should be careful regarding what we say and how we say it. The bible is full of admonitions about this issue.

Jesus did say: "But I tell you men will have to give account on the day of judgement for every careless word they have spoken." (Matt. 12:36) And Romans 2:6 says, "He will judge everyone according to what they have done." (NLT)

So what do you think about all this? What did you think about Olbermann's comments and Obama's speech?

Javi

We're back: My first v-log!

Check out my first video log as we get back at it here at Bathos! Yes I didn't shave and yes my goatee has some 'white stuff' on it:)

photo © 2008 Reinis Traidas | more info (via: Wylio)


Let me know what you think? Would you like to see more video logs as opposed to writing?

Bathos:V-log #1 from Javier Diaz on Vimeo.

Javi