The "Solo" Pastor

It's easy in ministry to do it alone. There are many times in ministry that I get a sense that I can do it better myself rather than handing it over to someone else. In other words, I tend to become a "Solo" pastor.

My devotional today was on alliances, both healthy and toxic. It seems obvious that healthy relationships are important, but how many pastors have been bitten by a toxic relationship and so decide to do things alone. They miss the chance to have those healthy relationships because they are afraid to be shoved under the bus once again. Of course, this is all understandable. Been there. Done that. But we as pastors or anyone doing ministry must not forget the old adage, "Two heads are better than one." Sure, maybe John doesn't do a particular task as efficiently as you would, but is efficiency really the goal of ministry?

Proverbs 13:20 reads, "He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm." God has placed individuals around us with whom we can build healthy relationships. No one can do ministry alone. Being a "solo" pastor can only create more stress for us, but it also prevents those around us from developing their ministry skills. That's not a good thing.

I feel the need to end with a simple but geeky illustration. I'm a huge Star Wars fan and no I don't dress us like Obe Wan. The character Han Solo is named that for a reason. In episode four we are introduced to him as the lone captain of a ship with only one crew member. His life revolves around money and doing things for himself. But by episode six he has become part of a team and he realizes the potential of working with those around him. He may not be as money rich as he desired in the beginning but he is definitely relationship rich by the end.

We cannot do this thing solo. God must be a part of our ministry and the people around us that God has placed there can be used to do greater things for God than we could ever imagine.