Proclaimer Blog
Preacher, find a friend
I've just returned from the Spring Ministers Wives conference for….wives. But some of the teaching from Proverbs (from Vaughan Roberts) was very pertinent to preachers. In fact, Vaughan was encouraging the wives to make sure their husbands had friends. Here are Vaughan's main points/outline together with some Proverbs to follow through. The reality is that many pastors cut themselves off from friends (either deliberately or through negligence). I'm unlikely to last the distance if I let myself get in such a state.
1. True friendship is close
Proverbs 18.24. We need close friends but be discerning (Proverb 13.20) and be deliberate
2. True friendship is constant
Proverbs 17.17. Proverbs 19.4. Proverbs 25.19. Proverbs 27.10.
3. True friendship is candid
Proverbs 29.5. Proverbs 27.5-6.
4. True friendship is careful
Don't speak too quickly. Proverbs 16.28. Proverbs 17.9. Proverbs 20.19.
Say the right thing at the right time in the right way. Proverbs 27.14. Proverbs 25.20.
5. True friendship is Christ-centred
For Christ forgives our greatest failings and Christ meets our deepest longings.