February 25th

The Relationship Between Pastors and Leaders

...Being colleagues with other pastors is a profound blessing and essential support...

I was pleased to reflect on the relationship between pastors and leaders in MCA.

The relationships between pastors in Mennonite Church Alberta (MCA) directly contribute to MCA’s core priorities. First, by fostering friendship and spiritual support, we witness to Jesus’ healing and hope. Together we demonstrate how faith brings restoration and renewal. These connections help build mutual relationships between congregations, as leaders collaborate, share insights, and bridge communities. The support and mentorship among pastors play an important role in calling, developing, and nurturing new leaders, ensuring that each pastor is empowered to grow in their ministry.

In the Mennonite Church Alberta, being colleagues with other pastors is a profound blessing and essential support for our ministry. The journey of pastoral leadership is filled with joys, challenges, and moments of vulnerability. Having fellow pastors to walk alongside us, share in our experiences, and encourage us in our faith is an invaluable gift that strengthens both our personal and collective calling.

One of the most meaningful ways we cultivate this fellowship is through our regular Pastors Council meetings. These gatherings offer a space to discuss church matters, share wisdom, and discern together the direction God is leading our communities. This is a place where we can speak openly about our struggles and hopes, knowing that we are surrounded by trusted colleagues who understand the unique pressures and responsibilities of pastoral ministry.

Some MCA pastors meet weekly for prayer. This prayer group brings us together to focus on our shared life of faith. These simple times are guided by the Take Our Moments and Our Days Anabaptist Prayer App. They are an opportunity to pray for one another, interceding for our congregations, or seek renewal in our own hearts. The commitment to regular prayer not only strengthens our faith but also creates a bond of trust and humility among us.

We also get together a couple times a year for retreat and renewal, offering a time to step away from the busyness of ministry and invest in each other’s well-being. These retreats allow us to rest, reflect, and reconnect with God and with our colleagues. The friendships forged during these retreats connects us throughout the year.

The importance of these relationships cannot be overstated. In a culture that often values independence and competition, the Mennonite Church Alberta reminds us of the biblical call to community and mutual care. The apostle Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 5:11, “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” Our pastoral fellowship embodies this command, as we intentionally seek to uplift, challenge, and care for one another.

Being colleagues with other pastors means having partners in both the joys and sorrows of ministry. It means sharing wisdom and laughter, offering a listening ear, and providing practical help when needed. It is a blessing that enriches our leadership, deepens our faith, and equips us to serve our congregations with greater compassion and skill. As we continue to meet, pray, and retreat together, we deeply value the prayers of the congregations we are privileged to lead.

Pastor's Retreat in Cochrane, Spring 2025. L - R: Bill Christieson, Tim Burkholder, Tim Wiebe-Neufeld, Debbie Bledsoe, Terry Fach, Rachel Siemens, Aiden Scherzinger, Tany Warkentin, Caleb Kowalko, Ryan Dueck