Rev. Chris Furr, Covenant Christian Church, "What We Need Is Here: Friendship and the Epidemic of Loneliness"
What We Need Is Here: Friendship and the Epidemic of Loneliness --- Rev. Chris Furr There are so many wonderful gifts that come with being a clergyperson, especially one that works in a congregational setting. I recently crossed the ten-year mark in my current ministry setting, and I am seeing the fruits of deep relationships with people, formed over time. I have watched children grow up, watched loving couples grow old together, seen people make important life changes, and most importantly, seen people grow in their faith and step into their callings. We pastors are invited into some of the most sacred moments of people’s lives: when they are grieving loved ones, navigating a sudden career change, welcoming children into the world. It is a profound privilege, and I experience the blessings of it often. For many of us, this is what keeps us going in ministry and what drew us to it in the first place. Of course, being a pastor can also be an extremely lonely vocation.