Pastors, Friendship, and the Art of Presence

Colleen interviews Dr. Jonathan Pennington about friendship in ministry, exploring how scripture and ancient philosophy shape a Christian view of friendship, the challenges pastors face with boundaries and power dynamics, and the importance of play, feasting, and mutual vulnerability for flourishing relationships. They discuss practical approaches for pastors to build meaningful friendships—both inside and outside the church—and offer encouragement to avoid isolation while maintaining wise boundaries and community structures that support relational life.