During the challenges of 2020, many pastors felt they were on an island with strained relationships and without a place to process the major issues facing their congregations and communities. This became a recipe for burnout and, in many cases, an early exit from pastoral ministry. In that environment, I planted a church in Sanford, Florida. Our church soon realized, however, that if we were going to see our city flourish for the glory of God, it would take more than our church alone to move the needle. We’d need a community, a city, and a region of pastors committed to refreshing one another around our unity in the gospel of Jesus Christ and the advancement of his kingdom. I sense that other pastors are feeling the weight of the lack of renewal and unity among pastors and churches. The everyday challenges of ministry are hard enough. An array of cultural pressures and an increasingly divisive climate make it even harder. Pastors need each other. But where can we find the renewal and unity we need? Pastoral Friendships I started by reaching out to other like-minded local pastors. Pastors often have their guard up when meeting a fellow minister in their area. Questions naturally arise: “What does this pastor want from me?” “Is he trying to draw people away from our church?” To overcome these suspicions, we must form authentic relationships. Through pastoral friendships, I began to see the Lord providentially work in ordinary yet powerful ways to bring unity and renewal. Many pastors were isolated and worn down from the demands of ministry and the pressures of the political and societal climate. As a young church planter, I was humbled by how seasoned pastors opened up to me about their struggles. As we connected through friendship and prayer, many shared their lives honestly and humbly. Through pastoral friendships, I began to see the Lord providentially work in ordinary yet powerful ways to bring unity and renewal. I thought that if I could connect some of these men together, they could become a tremendous encouragement to one another and help carry the burdens of ministry. So I began connecting pastors with pastors: young church planters with seasoned shepherds. Over time, I witnessed the Spirit’s work renewing and unifying pastors in our area—not through programs or outreach initiatives but through the ancient gospel of Jesus Christ that unites us. Unity in the Gospel After much prayer, and after hearing from local brother pastors who longed for a safe place to gather with like-minded shepherds, I gathered a few of my close pastor friends. Our first meeting was beautiful to behold: pastors from around our region engaging with one another, laughing, crying, praying, and sitting across the table sharing breakfast and fellowship. It was glorious. One local pastor led us in a time of prayer, encouraging us to pair up with someone we didn’t know and pray Scripture over one another as we shared burdens and requests. Another pastor led us in singing praises to God. There’s something especially moving about hearing weary pastors sing to the Lord together. Then a seasoned pastor shared God’s Word and reflected on the joys, challenges, traps, and snares of shepherding over many years of ministry. As we closed by singing the doxology, men had tears in their eyes and smiles of hope on their faces. We felt a renewed sense of unity and a renewed realization that we don’t have to do ministry alone. We aren’t isolated laborers but fellow workers in God’s kingdom. The gathering was only supposed to last two hours, but it ended up twice as long. Pastors exchanged phone numbers, scheduled future meetings, and lingered in meaningful conversation. It gave me great joy that I finally had to ask everyone to head home. TGC Regional Chapter For years, I wondered if any organization was pursuing this kind of work among pastors. A local friend informed me there was one, and he connected me with The Gospel Coalition’s regional chapter leadership. After a Zoom call, I saw that TGC desired to anchor its current vision and mission in local coalitions of pastors regularly gathering for renewal and unity in the gospel of Jesus Christ. There’s something especially moving about hearing weary pastors sing to the Lord together. I volunteered to serve as a regional chapter leader in Central Florida and invited several pastors to join the steering committee. Since then, we’ve been deeply encouraged by TGC’s leadership and their support as we seek to strengthen pastors and churches in our region through quarterly gatherings centered on this common goal. Our most recent gathering of the TGC Orlando Chapter was another beautiful sight: 50 local pastors, including seasoned pastors, church planters, and pastoral interns, all gathering to refresh one another and be renewed in the work and flourishing of the gospel for the glory of God. Renewal and Unity If you’re a local church pastor, I encourage you to prayerfully consider becoming part of this work. Maybe the Lord is calling you to be a chapter leader, or perhaps to join and invest in a local chapter. Under the umbrella of the TGC Confessional Statement, you can gather in a safe and healthy environment to build relationships around the gospel and labor together toward the common goal of advancing the kingdom of heaven in our local regions.