Why value “Friendship”?
Our belief is that as local church leaders and congregations walk the ancient paths—as they move in step with God’s Spirit and experience the life Jesus offers—they’ll be changed and exemplify the following characteristics…
A working definition
We pursue intentional, authentic, and multicultural friendships with each other. Our leaders are available to one another, vulnerable with one another, and adamantly for one another.
A humble example
We need friends and co-laborers for strengthening and sharpening our work; burden-bearing, safety, ministry effectiveness, and encouragement. These connections open the possibility for humility and hospitality as we both ask for and provide help and a “home away from home” for the weary in our network, churches, and neighborhoods. We plan our network events so that participants have ample time to connect relationally and serve one another. Many of our lead pastors vacation together and connect outside of formal gatherings. This emphasis on friendship can be seen in what our local churches value as well. A church in Ashland, Ohio, believing that we experience the presence of Christ in one another’s hospitality, provides a feast for their congregation of two hundred every Sunday.
Some simple behaviors
Harbor Network leaders believe that all of life, but especially ministry, is only possible in solidarity with others. We need friends and co-laborers for strengthening and sharpening our work; burden-bearing, safety, ministry effectiveness, and encouragement. These connections open the possibility for humility and hospitality as we both ask for and provide help and a “home away from home” for the weary sojourner in our network, churches, and neighborhoods.
Harbor Network leaders are adamantly for each other instead of competing with each other.
Harbor Network leaders are available for one another and vulnerable with one another, believing in a radical mutuality — the ability to treat each other as equals, regardless of our backgrounds and life paths — among network members.
Harbor Network leaders and churches share a fierce togetherness that goes beyond our mere need to be needed, and instead suggests that there is a very real connection that happens when we’re sacrificially committed to pursuing relationships in the network.
Harbor Network leaders see the network as interrelated, meaning that whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.
Harbor Network leaders regularly seek out ways to connect within the network, and prioritize gathering together at the retreat and conferences to encourage and be encouraged.
Harbor Network leaders are available to participate wholeheartedly in their connector groups and use those opportunities to share resources, wisdom, and experience with other network leaders.
Harbor Network leaders prioritize connecting and partnering with other pastors and churches in our network.
Scriptures to reference
Proverbs 18:1, 27:17
Ecclesiastes 4:12
Romans 1:11-12
1 Corinthians 3:9
Acts 20
John 15
Galatians 6:1-3
Colossians 4:8
1 Thessalonians 2:8
2 Timothy 4
Resources to explore
Spiritual Friendship by Wesley Hill
True Friendship by Vaughan Roberts
Becoming Friends by Paul Wadell
Messy Beautiful Friendships by Christine Hoover
Life Together by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Sacred Companions by David Benner
The Safest Place on Earth by Larry Crabb
Friendship by Hugh Black
Crossing to Safety by Wallace Stegner
The Pursuit of God in the Company of Friends by Richard Lamb
Casey Smith is a native Midwesterner who works as Harbor Network’s Communications Director. He also works as the worship pastor of Trinity Community Church, a Harbor Network church in Columbia, Missouri. Prior to joining Harbor Network, he managed banking centers for Bank of America and worked with Acts 29 in the US and Western Europe.
