Pastoral Friendship

Friendship is a need that touches the deepest parts of the human soul. This is especially true in ministry. It is a need that is not simply rooted in enjoyment and companionship, but in the necessity to care well of one’s soul and survive a long–term ministry. This book seeks to persuade every modern pastor of the essential need of friendship. And not just any friendship, but a close, personal, intimate, and sacrificial pastor–to–pastor friendship that regularly turns each other’s gaze to Jesus. Friends and pastors, Michael Haykin, Brian Croft and James Carroll examine portraits of friendship in scripture and church history, before exhorting readers to modern pastoral friendships.  ContentsForeword by Austin WalkerIntroductionPart 1: Looking Back1.     Portraits of Friendships in Scripture2.     A Pastoral Friendship (1): Basil of Caesarea and Eusebius of Samosata (4th Century)3.     A Pastoral Friendship (2): Benjamin Francis and Joshua Thomas (18th Century)Part 2: Looking Ahead4.     The Command for Friendship5.     The Blessings of Friendship6.     The Challenges of Friendship7.     Modern Exhortations to Pastoral FriendshipConclusion