The second leading cause of pastor burnout is isolation. All of us need people in our life who energize us, refresh us, make us laugh, who we can have mask-off community with. Leadership is too hard to do alone. In today’s episode John and Jim explore two major friendship obstacles, and then outline seven quick friendship tips for pastors.

 

Friendship Obstacles for Pastors:

• Fear
• Busyness

 

Seven friendship tips for leaders:

Tip 1: Go first

• Rather than waiting for God to drop amazing people in your path, take the first step.

 

Tip 2: Be reciprocal

• Adult relationships that aren’t reciprocal aren’t healthy.

 

Tip 3: Be kind

• Kindness is relational currency.

 

Tip 4: Become a better listener

• Eye contact, welcoming body language, and reflective listening communicate interest.

 

Tip 5: Be safe

• Confidentiality, reliability, and dependability are foundational to healthy relationships.

 

Tip 6: Don’t overshare . . . but don’t under-share either

• Often, we either open up too soon, or we never open up at all.

 

Tip 7: Be available

• Get some marginin your life.

 

You and I will not reach full emotional maturity without investing heavily in friendship.