Two Are Better Than One
by Lenn Zeller, Director of Conference Care
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? (Ecclesiastes 4: 9–12)
Two are better than one… This is a well-known expression of the joy and the necessity of companionship — in marriage, in friendship, in ministry and faith. We need each other in so many ways that the Talmud says… “A man without a companion is like a left hand without the right.”1
Two are certainly better than one when it comes to working because two workers can get more done. Even when they divide the profits, they still get a better return for their efforts than if they had worked alone. Also, it’s much easier to do difficult jobs together because one can be an encouragement to the other.2
In the ancient days when this was written, roads and paths in Palestine were not paved or even leveled. They were difficult to traverse, and it was common for even the strongest and most fit traveler to stumble and fall, perhaps even to suffer injury. If they were alone, it could create a dangerous and even life-threatening situation. How much better to have a companion at such times to provide help and care? And then there was the issue of warmth. Travelers who were forced to camp out along the road, out in the open, would have to deal with the cold of night. To have a companion with whom to share bodily warmth was also a great benefit. And this is not even to mention the danger of thieves and attacking raiders. It was dangerous to travel alone, day or night; most people traveled in groups for fellowship and for safety. Two, indeed, are better than one in many ways.
If that is true physically, how much more is it true spiritually? It is vital to our spiritual safety and well-being to have faith companions who can help us along the path of Christ. We need others to encourage us, comfort us, challenge us, hold us accountable, keep us on the straight and narrow, and pick us up when we fall. To go it alone is a foolish and dangerous thing! That is why the fifth of our CCCC Seven Guiding Values… “Shared Life and Mission…” is so crucial. That is also a large part of the impetus behind our Communities of Pastors initiative. We are trying to connect pastors with other pastors and sacred workers in small groups in their area, so they will not be solitary travelers. How often we see that pastors who are disconnected and “alone” suffer personal and ministry crises that might have been ameliorated or even avoided if they had had others around them to provide advice, counsel, encouragement and above all, prayer! And the Minister Under Care process is designed to help those who do fall into serious crises, by gathering caring folks around them to help them to repent, heal and recover.
Once again, Biblical wisdom is right on target. We need each other. Thank God for the fellowship we enjoy in the Conservative Congregational Christian Conference. Please stay (or get) connected… for your own health and safety, that of your family and those to who you minister as well!
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1 Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Ec 4:9–12). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
2 Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). Be Satisfied. “Be” Commentary Series (19). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
