The joke goes that Jesus' greatest miracle was being a man in His 30s with 12 (or possibly 11) close friends!
We live in a country where, famously, in 2018 a "loneliness" minister was appointed by the government as it recognised the danger of isolation in our world of "connections" but not real friendships.
Do you feel isolated?
Isolation in church leadership can be a surprising reality; we're surrounded by people every Sunday, our phones buzz with pastoral needs, and our calendars fill with meetings and ministry commitments. Yet many leaders find themselves profoundly lonely - carrying burdens alone, making decisions in isolation, and lacking peers who truly understand the unique pressures of ministry life. Is that you?
A responsibility to welcome
During the early summer months, many churches see an increase in attendance from families hoping to secure a place at …