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.

Contents

Foreword by Austin Walker

Introduction

Part 1: Looking Back

1.     Portraits of Friendships in Scripture

2.     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 Ahead

4.     The Command for Friendship

5.     The Blessings of Friendship

6.     The Challenges of Friendship

7.     Modern Exhortations to Pastoral Friendship

Conclusion

About Michael A. G. Haykin

Michael A. G. Haykin is Professor of Church History and Biblical Spirituality at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville.

About Brian Croft

Brian Croft is Senior Pastor of Auburndale Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky and Founder of Practical Shepherding.

About James B. Carroll

James B. Carroll has been the Senior Pastor at Parkway Baptist in Bardstown, Kentucky since 2010.