A plea for pastoral brotherhood

Between 1979 and 1999 the Pope, John Paul II, published a collection of essays titled ‘Letters to My Brother Priests’. That sentiment, that his fellow clergy were his brothers, is something we would do well to learn from in our Protestant circles.

Those who serve Christ’s sheep as shepherds should see themselves as being in a spiritual brotherhood, a brotherhood that’s in desperate need of each other. The church has struggled with pastoral abuse, scandals, burnouts, and dropouts. The last few years of Covid, war, civil unrest and political instability have only heightened the weight carried by pastors. These trials have taken their toll. But where are pastors to turn when they need help?

The specifics of forming a spiritual brotherhood will, of course, depend on our various ecclesiologies. Those who are Presbyterian likely (though not necessarily!) have an established brotherhood through their presbyteries. Anglican ministers may or may not have regional networks for the encouragement of the clergy. Baptistic and independent churches probably have the weakest sorts of networks as a result of a possible overemphasis on congregationalism in times past. But all of us need one another. We all need to take responsibilities for one another, even if not in a formal and denominational sense.