Pastors in Community

by Dan Peterson, Area Representative of the Upper Midwest Congregational Fellowship

In the most recent FORSEE edition, President Paul McPheeters mentions the fact that the CCCC Conference is now in the process of “creating local Pastoral Communities facilitated by trained Community Pastors.” I was privileged to be asked to be a Community Pastor and was able to attend the first training event, held at Camp Brookwoods in Alton, New Hampshire. The spirit of fellowship was alive, and our time together was inspiring and meaningful. Behold how good and how pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! (Psalm 133:1)

I am so blessed to be able to return to an established pastoral community. The pastors here are not only my colleagues, but my friends as well. Six to twelve of us meet on the fourth Tuesday of every month. Our gathering usually lasts for two hours. Our format is simple. Informal conversation followed by a discussion on a topic of choice. This past year we chose to focus on the theme: Healthy Pastors. We have been reading and discussing one chapter at a time from Kent and Barbara Hughes’ book, Liberating Ministry from the Success Syndrome. We also give ample time to share our most recent life and ministry stories and concerns. These in turn become our prayer requests, so once everyone has had a time to share, we then break out into twos or threes to pray for each other’s needs. Our fellowship time is a high priority. Our friendships have grown to where some gather as couples and families. Others have met for recreational purposes. Our annual pastors’ retreat continues to grow as a result of our deepening love for one another. We are truly a living example of what Paul exhorted the Thessalonians to do: Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

My brothers and sisters in Christ, this fellowship is not only meant for pastors, but for the whole body of Christ. If you are already involved in a loving, accountable and prayerful group, then continue to meet for mutual edification. If you are not involved, then please give it some prayerful consideration. I am confident that if you came alongside others with a like-minded, loving spirit, looking to each other’s interests, you and the body of Christ will grow to be more like Him. Let us have this mind among ourselves, which is ours in Christ Jesus.