Ministry is not a solo endeavor. We need people, and each person brings something unique into the relationship — and into the ministry. This was certainly true for the apostle Paul.

In his letter to the Colossians, Paul closed with a series of greetings to and from various people. He spoke about two faithful brothers in the Lord, Tychicus and Onesimus. Paul referred to his fellow prisoner Aristarchus, as well as Mark.

And Paul spoke of several who sent their greetings, including Justus, Epaphras, Luke, and Demas. Embedded in his comments, we discover three types of people who made all the difference for Paul, and who can make all the difference for pastors today.

Encouraging Friends

In Colossians 4:8, Paul said he was going to send Tychicus to the believers “for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts.” How did Paul know that Tychicus would encourage the believers’ hearts? He must have been on the receiving end of Tychicus’ encouragement to know the benefit it would be for the Colossian believers.

Life is hard, and the last thing any of us need are friends who discourage, demean or devalue us. That doesn’t make for much of a friend. Instead, we need to seek out people who have the gift of encouragement. This doesn’t mean they’re “yes” people; it simply means they believe in us and speak life into us.

Author and pastor Wayne Cordeiro once said, “Friends are rare these days, but it is not because they have diminished in importance. It is because we have increased in speed. Friendships are not made in the blur of life. They are made in the margins.”

Pastors need friends — and the encouragement friends can offer — but these friendships require time and intentionality. We need to slow our pace and create appropriate margin in our schedules to build life-giving friendships. What step can you take today to cultivate encouraging friendships?

When pastors serve alongside faithful
co-laborers, they
find the strength
and support to keep moving forward.

Faithful Co-Laborers

The second type of person Paul surrounded himself with was faithful co-laborers. Paul referred to Aristarchus, Mark, and Justus as “co-workers for the kingdom of God” (Colossians 4:11). Paul understood that the demands of ministry are too big to tackle alone. He needed — and we need — faithful co-laborers to serve alongside.

For pastors, these co-laborers may be staff members, leaders, or volunteers who have bought into the vision and have committed themselves to see it fulfilled. They don’t just labor, but they do so faithfully. A faithful person stewards time, talent and treasure for a greater purpose, linking arms with a team committed to the same dream.

When pastors serve alongside faithful co-laborers, they find the strength and support to keep moving forward. That strength and support may come in the form of wisdom, perspective, shared responsibility, or help carrying the load. When the load is shared by others, it helps us continue pursuing what God has called us to do, especially in the face of hardship and resistance.

How do you find faithful co-laborers? You grow them. First, you model and teach faithfulness. Second, like the master in the Parable of the Bags of Gold (Matthew 25), you give people a chance. You entrust them with responsibility and hold them accountable. Finally, you reward and celebrate faithfulness.

Prayer Partners

Friends and co-laborers are not enough. Paul also had Epaphras. Paul said, “He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured” (Colossians 4:12).

Author Max Lucado once said, “Jesus immersed His words and work in prayer. Powerful things happen when we do the same.” I might add that when we invite others to carry the prayer load with us, we open the door for the multiplication of powerful things.

I once had a friend tell me, “Your ministry will come to a place where your prayers are no longer enough. You need a team of prayer partners who will stand with you in the battle and help you intercede before the Lord.”

Yes, we must pray, but we must also seek out people who will stand in the gap with us. To secure prayer partners, you need to invite them, inform them, and include them. Invite people to pray with you and for you. Inform them as to how to pray by sharing needs, challenges and struggles. Finally, include them in times of prayer where you can pray together, celebrate testimonies, and share specific needs.

Encouraging friends, faithful co-laborers, and prayer partners all play an important role in the life of a pastor. However, these three types of people won’t magically appear. We must intentionally pursue them and deliberately cultivate these relationships in our lives and ministries.