Pastoral Friendship

Dear pastors, for the good of your soul, do not merely take up and read this excellent work; develop intimate friendships as a result!

-- Ryan Rippee (Pastor, Trinity Church of Benicia, and President, The Cornerstone Bible College and Seminary, Vallejo, California)

We have too readily absorbed the radical individualism of our culture, and then wonder why we are lonely and overburdened. This book is a biblical, historical, and practical study of friendship for Christian leaders that I hope will be widely read and deeply.

-- Joel R. Beeke (Chancellor, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, Grand Rapids, Michigan)

Haykin, Croft, and Carroll offer gospel–grounded help for pastors who desperately need friends, and the good fruit that God provides through them.

-- Ronnie Martin (Lead Pastor, Substance Church, Ashland, Ohio; author, ‘Pastoring Small Towns’)

You are your best self, and so you are the best shepherd to God’s people, when deep abiding friendships mark your life. This book is a treasure for a pastor and for those that love them, especially as their friends.

-- Bryan Baise (Associate Professor of Philosophy and Apologetics, Boyce College Professor, Friendship and the Christian Life Course)

… convincingly demonstrates from scripture and from history how loyal, supportive companionship (not just ‘excessive acquaintanceship’) can build resilience through the rigors of battle, and perseverance amidst the storms and isolating pressures of ministry. 

-- Lee Gatiss (Director of Church Society, and Adjunct Lecturer in Church History, Union School of Theology, Bridgend, Wales)

The authors recognise the challenges in cultivating such friendship but, at the same time, convincingly promote its blessings as reflecting what it means to be truly human and authentically Christian.

-- Edwin Ewart (Principal, The Irish Baptist Coll