5 Ways to Tear Down Walls Between Pastors

Isn’t it strange how often pastors of gospel-preaching local churches in the same area don’t really know each other? Our church members think we all get along fondly; I mean, after all, we are outposts of the same kingdom, pursuing the same mission, on behalf of the same king, so it only stands to reason, we must get together. If they only knew. 

It’s understandable that pastors of different churches in the same area operate in silos. Admittedly, our roles can be so demanding and the pressures so great, that often the last thing we have time for is to spend time together. But it’s a major kingdom loss that we don’t. 

When pastors talk to each other, we are better able to discover what the Holy Spirit is trying to do to build the kingdom in our area. I’ve learned over 14 years of pastoring that the Spirit rarely moves in only one church when he is at work; he seems to work in broader movements so that what he lays on the heart of one pastor, he also lays on the hearts of other pastors. 

Further, when pastors talk to each other, misperceptions from afar about each other and our churches are replaced with truth; we are far less likely to form opinions of each other based on hearsay from church members. Additionally, if we talked with each other, we’d probably spend kingdom resources better in our community. And in the coming days, we would be able to encourage each other and work together as the vice tightens on religious liberty. We are going to need each other.

Here are some ideas for breaking down the invisible walls between pastors in a community: 

1. Pastors can pray by name in their personal prayer times for other pastors in the area. It is really hard to remain hardened toward someone when you pray by name for the Lord to bless him. When I do this, I sense the rivalry, competitiveness and jealousies in my heart evaporating, and I find myself rooting for him.

2. Pastors can use their pastoral prayer times in Sunday morning worship to pray by name for another pastor and his church in the area. Your people will be blown away. When my people hear me give thanks for the pastor and church down the road and pray God’s blessing on them, it starts erasing the sense of rivalry and jealousies in our congregation’s hearts, and we find ourselves instead rooting for the churches around us. 

3. Pastors can choose to speak very carefully to their members about area churches. I remind my members every so often that we do not criticize area churches. No matter what happens, they are the bride of Christ. Do not criticize his bride. 

4. Pastors can send each other “kudos” when they hear of kingdom victories at each other’s churches. If you want to encourage another pastor, celebrate with him when the Spirit is moving in his congregation. Give him a call. Write him a letter. Stop by his office.

5. Finally, of course, rather than wait for that other pastor to call you to go to lunch, why don’t you initiate? Our different convictions about methodologies are no cause for contention, but rather celebration. How much does our Lord love your city that he sent a pastor like you and a pastor like the other guy to the same area so that by all means necessary, our Lord might reach some! Go to lunch with that pastor if for no other reason than to drive home afterwards marveling at the love of Christ for your city and to commit to pray for God’s favor on that shepherd.