A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to attend an annual retreat with these guys…

I first met each of these men when I was in my 20s – and I’ve stayed connected to them ever since.

At first, it was because we were all ministers.

As ministers, we partnered together on projects, championed each other, encouraged each other, supported each other, and some of us even worked on the same staff together.

Brian Croft (a minister himself) once wrote, “Every modern pastor needs the presence and friendship of other pastors to thrive and persevere throughout the unique challenges of pastoral ministry.”

He’s right.

Ministry is hard, and it takes a toll on every facet of your life. To endure, you must have a support circle of others who are in it and get it.

I would not have been able to accomplish all that I achieved in ministry without their counsel, camaraderie, or prayers.

The truth is that we have seen each other through many professional and personal ups and downs. So much so, that over a decade ago, we decided to gather together every year to ask each other two questions: (1) How are you…really? and (2) How is your ministry…really?

We also took time to eat, play, rest, laugh, and tell stories.

Over that time, these guys became more than fellow ministers.

They became essential people in my life who are deeply loved and appreciated.

Now, I fully understand what Henry Ford meant when he said…