Dear Pastor,
Did you know God called you to be His Champion! That’s right. In fact, you are one of His most important Champions on planet earth!
When God called you to be a pastor/shepherd, you were hand-picked to watch over, teach, nourish, lead, provide for, care for, and protect from every danger His most prized Sheep, that is the People you serve!
Yes, being a pastor is the most important responsibility anyone can have bar none! God has given you the awesome responsibility to care for and manage a very special designated group of His children. You are His Champion, and you are their Champion too!
Being a Champion can sometimes be very difficult. It has many challenges, and the family of the Champion is many times at great risk because the enemies you must face often attack you by attacking your family! As their Champion you must always be on guard and keep yourself prepared for these attacks. As a pastor you are aware of these challenges and leaving yourself unchecked invites disaster.
Pastor, you also know that sheep can bite! This can hurt both you, your spouse and your children! Leading a church is very much like tending sheep. It has great joy but often has great heartache and pain. As the Champion, we often find ourselves on an island, surrounded by people and yet all alone. Who can I talk to and who can I totally and fully TRUST? No one, until now!
Today, there is the “Champions Table”. Literally, a table of pastors just like you. Pastors who have decided to meet each week for about an hour to discuss their week and much, much more! This is a Table of 3-4 pastors who have committed under covenant agreement to care for one another in love.
This page explains how you can start a Champions Table. There are also a few comments from pastors who have enjoyed being in a Table for over a decade. Pastor, you do not have to stand alone! Start a Table and see for yourself!
Click here if you would like to see the entire Champions Handbook.
…a three stranded cord is not easily broken. Ecclesiastes 4:12
Find 3 other Pastors (men with men) who you will agree to meet with every week. These may be Pastors who you are not acquainted with and need to seek out or they may be acquaintances.
If there is a church near your church, consider going over to meet the other pastor if you have not. Take time to visit and get acquainted and then invite him to start or join you in your Champions Table. Pray with him! Repeat this until you have 4 in your Table. No more than 4 – FOUR total is best, the “Jesus Model”, but you may have to start with less.
The first time you meet can be a time of introduction. Share about your family:
- What are things you enjoy doing with your wife/children?
- What are activities you enjoy?
- Where have you lived?
- When and where did you commit your life to Jesus?
- Tell your story: what makes you laugh, cry, angry, shout, sing etc.?
Just get acquainted with one another. Find something to laugh about! What is your biggest challenge? Share about YOU! Listen intently to each other!
Establish a place and time to meet (weekly) that works for all. It is ok to meet at a church, unless somewhere else is best, and safer for you. Meeting every week may seem like a lot but we have found that it will bring about trust much faster and the needs that arise can be dealt with much more effectively.
Be committed and make attendance a priority! Commit to a minimum of seven (7) weeks to give your Table a chance. You should use first names and avoid titles (i.e. Dr., Bishop, Pastor, etc.). Make it personal! Get acquainted, listen and talk.
