The Importance of Relationships

As a pastor and a leader, I am very passionate about emphasizing relationships. Programs are important, but they are only tools that can be utilized to build more effective relationships. It's easy to say that relationships are important, but, at the end of the day, relationships can be messy and inconvenient. Sometimes it seems like it would be much more convenient to sit in an air conditioned office and do email than to roll up my sleeves and dig in relationally with people. As an urban ministry leader, though, the value of placing the emphasis on people is so important. People in the city want to know if you are authentic, and they want to spend time with you to find out. They can tell if you're faking it relationally as well. When it comes to advancing the Kingdom of God, time and relationships are crucial. Emails and programs can wait, although they do have their place in effective ministry. Also, relationship building is not just important with other Christians. Relationships with other Christians and our family and friends have their important places in life, but we should also be involved in intentional, meaningful relationships with people who are not Christians and even with people who are our enemies. That is how we effectively fulfill our purpose to be a part of advancing God's mission on a daily basis. All of these issues are very real to me as an urban church pastor, and the city is my parish... a training ground that tests my relational capacity on a daily basis.