Supply Lines
First published June 13, 2023
Supply Lines of Support
“I have nothing left in the tank.” Those were the words of my friend, who is a pastor. He had planted a church five years prior. The church was doing well, but he was not. “When I started, it felt like there were so many people who had my back and were ready to step up and help. Now it feels like I am alone. People say they understand, but it is hard to trust when I have been burned.”
My friend is not the only pastor who feels this way. For years, it has been reported that 70% of pastors do not have a single person they would consider a close friend. The pandemic made it worse with many people criticizing pastors and leaving churches over differing views on politics, policies, and practices. Our clergy—the very people called to help people connect with God and each other—are isolated, lonely, and burned out. It was recently reported that 41% of pastors have considered leaving vocational ministry in the last year.
These statistics, combined with the stories I have heard from coaching pastors and planters for the last five years, are the main reason I wrote my book Supply Lines: Five Key Relationship Every Pastor and Planter Needs. My hope is that this book can help spiritual leaders get the relational support they need to flourish. Jesus sent the disciples two by two (Luke 10:1), and you almost never see a disciple of Christ alone in the Bible. Support makes a huge difference.
Loneliness is not limited to pastors. The US Surgeon General just released a warning about loneliness and isolation, calling it an epidemic with almost 50% of Americans affected. The dangers to human health are staggering. Loneliness is worse for your health than obesity or diabetes, it increases your risk for early death by almost 30%, and it is worse than smoking 15 cigarettes a day. The report goes on to say that rather than bringing us closer together, the last few years have made us more isolated and lonelier than ever.
I used to think relational support wasn’t that important. I am a strong, accomplished, independent person. Part of why I love backpacking is the rugged individualism and self-reliance needed. Which is why I scoffed when my dad insisted on buying me a GPS for emergencies. He bought the unit and I paid for the subscription. I thought it was unnecessary…until I needed it. My son Ben and I were stuck in the high Sierras, with heavy rain, soaked feet, and in absolute miserable spirits. The GPS allowed us to contact my wife Hannah and exit early. Hannah made coasters showing the road she had to travel to get us – so I would never underestimate the vital importance of relational support.
A few years ago, I was asked to do a research project about church planting, interviewing planters and denominational leaders across the United States and Canada. There was a lot of great feedback, yet what stood out most was the need for more relational support, which I call Supply Lines. Relational support is one of the greatest predictors of success for any leader. Strong relational support shields you from burnout and leads to bigger dreams, wiser decisions, and heathier results.
There are five Supply Lines that were identified through the research. These five categories are more helpful than any title that we may use for supportive people (coach, mentor, therapist, etc.)
* Soul Sharpeners - constantly pull you to Jesus
* Inspirational – Vision Casters help you dream big and see next steps
* Motivational – Encouraging Tail Kickers encourage, challenge, and believe in you
* Interpersonal – Heart Healers and Friends help you process pain and have fun
* Practical – Strategic Thinkers help with planning, resources, networking
We all need strong Supply Lines because we all lead others (influence them) in some way. The greater your leadership, the greater your chances of isolation. The best leaders don’t pour from an empty cup. They combine great personal habits (physical health, reading, devotional time) with a network of support. The more support a bridge has, the greater load it can carry.
In my book, I talk about each of the five Supply Lines, how to seek out more support for your life, and what to do when crisis comes. You can find my book on Amazon – it is officially out now. I will be preaching on Supply Lines in August and September, and our church will have the book on sale. And I lead workshops and seminars for churches and businesses on how to grow relational support in your life. My biggest goal is for you to get more support in your life.
I will end in the same way I end many of the chapters in the book – imagine. Pause and imagine what it would be like to have three meetings a month that were primarily about listening to your problems, dreams, and ideas. Imagine talking to someone who had already solved the problem you are going through – that one conversation could save you hours. Imagine a whole network of supportive people in your life whom you allow to regularly pour into you. When that happens, crises don’t turn into catastrophes, dreams get much bigger, and life is way more fun!
In Christ,
Scott Nelson