It was during the year of our 25th wedding anniversary. Seventeen years ago Sabrina and I planted a church.

We planted in a city 1 1/2 hours drive from where we were then living. We assumed our home would sell within a month or two so we could move to our new found community.

As it turned out, we commuted back and forth several times a week for eighteen months before our house eventually sold. In that first year we experienced two deaths in our immediate family. We had exhausted our retirement savings fund to stay afloat. (We were bi-vocational without a vocation). And, when our house didn't sell as soon as expected, we had more than a few people question our decision to plant a church. When our house finally sold, there was still plenty of drama surrounding the event of finding a new place to live.

All to say, at the end of that first year my wife and I were drained on many levels....even though the new church seemed to be getting off to a good start.

Within two weeks of moving to our new home a friend called. "Wayne, my wife and I are taking you guys away for 5 days. Get someone else to preach next weekend and be at our place next Friday night with your sleeping bags and your pillows. We will look after the rest". That was it.

We showed up at their home the following Friday night not knowing exactly what it was that we are saying yes to. Now that is trust. Both of their vehicles were in their driveway and a canoe was on top of each car. Early the next morning our friends loaded their cars with all the gear and food needed for an 'off-the-grid canoe trip'. (They didn't even want us to drive our own vehicle on the trip that followed). Five hours later we were canoeing into the remote lakes of Northern Ontario.

The next five days were the perfect counter point to the crazed life we had been living. Sabrina and I received a generous space from our friends to grieve the deaths of two special people in our lives. They encouraged us to recount all the wonderful things God was doing in our lives. And our friends reminded us of how valuable we were to God and to them. We returned home encouraged, refreshed, strengthened, and so thankful.

This is only one of many stores that we experienced with our friends. And there have been others in our life since then that have become life giving friends for me through the generosity of their love.

Here is what I have noticed in my life and in the lives of many of the leaders that I coach. The deepest friendships do not occur with the people we are in active ministry with. I think it is too difficult for people to allow you to be yourself when they primarily see you through the lens of what you do (or think you should do).

I assume you already know that to remain healthy in ministry you need a life giving relationship with Jesus. You also have heard that you need to keep your ministry responsibilities second in priority to your relationship with your spouse and family.

But I want to focus this article on friendships. The most overlooked resource for remaining healthy as a ministry leader is friendship.

The kind of friendship where the person generously provides space for you to live in God's freedom and love. They provide the kind of space for you to honestly process your life. A place for you to be you. A place where you can share your moments of incredible joy along with your experiences of life draining losses. A friendship marked with laughter and tears. A friendship where you not only receive but you are welcomed to bless this person in return. The healing and transformation that occurs in such friendships is GOLD.

I believe that generous friendships are born out of our attention to John 13:34. "Love one another as I have loved you". To be a life giving friend you need to first receive the life giving friendship offered you by Jesus.

A couple of chapters later Jesus says this about friendship. "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends". (John 15:13 E.S.V.)

This is exactly what it seemed like to Sabrina and I during those five days in Algonquin Park. Our friends set aside their own priorities and needs to pour themselves into our lives.

Perhaps you are reading this article and now realize that you don't have this kind of friendship in your life.

You can change that, beginning today.

God desires you to remain a healthy leader. He will lead you into mutually self-giving relationships with a few others.

I find it helpful to remember that every friend you have begins in the same way. You and your friend were once strangers. Then a relationship began and it grew and took shape over time.

If you realize you have overlooked the resource of 'friendship', three thoughts come to mind.

1. Abide in Christ. He alone meets all our needs. Friends are like the hands and feet of Jesus. Realize that no matter how awesome your friends are, they can never supply what Christ supplies.

2. Just as Christ is generous to you, be generous in your kindness towards others, including strangers.

3. Expect God to be faithful to bring someone into your life who will bless you by exceeding your ability to bless them. It is just another display of God's awesome Kingdom. You can't outgive the giver (Christ Jesus).

God will give you all you need to remain healthy and finish well. This includes friendship.

Wayne MacQueen - London Vineyard
Wayne and Sabrina are amazing pastoral care givers to the pastors and leaders of the Ontario Vineyards. Wayne does leadership coaching and spiritual direction and can be reached through this website here. (FE)