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Realizing the presence, promise, and power of the Kingdom of God.
Pastor to Pastor

The Touchstone and Goal

Here is the goal of Christian discipleship.

Growing into Christ (2)

Yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in the Lord. Philemon 20

Spiritual Friendship
Aelred of Rievaulx (1109-1167)
“For what can one say about friendship that is more sublime, more truthful, more useful, than that friendship will be shown to be formed in Christ, advanced according to Christ, and perfected by Christ?”

Aelred was abbot of the Cistercian monastery at Rievaulx in Lincolnshire, England. He wrote to encourage the monks in his care, and those in the five daughter monasteries he oversaw, concerning their calling as followers of Christ. Jesus called His disciples “friends.” All who are growing as disciples benefit from and learn the art of friendship. Friendship is a source of joy, a means of support, a buttress in times of trial and uncertainty, and a resting place of peace and renewal. Friendship in Jesus Christ is true friendship, because those who, like Paul and Philemon, are growing as friends of the Lord have a focus, fount, and future which goes beyond merely personal interests and needs. Jesus Christ is the Touchstone and Goal of all true friendships. True friendship is friendship in Christ, and into Him; and all believers (not just pastors) need such true and spiritual friends.

Does your ministry encourage friendship among the people of God – friendship into Jesus Christ? In what specific ways?

The journey of spiritual maturity

Growing into the Lord is both a personal and corporate adventure. Each us can become more like Jesus, and so can our churches. As we do, we will impact people, culture, and our times for the glory of God and progress of Christ’s Kingdom. Our free, online course, Introduction to Spiritual Theology, provides an outline and overview of the journey toward spiritual maturity. For more information and to register, click here.

Pastoral Hope Initiative
Pastor, where are you in your walk with and work for the Lord? Are you growing? Covering all the bases? Working fruitfully toward the Kingdom of God? Our Pastoral Hope Initiative can help you establish a framework and baseline for steady, fruitful growth into the Lord Jesus, and for the remainder of this spring, we’re waiving the fee for men who want to work through this 14-week protocol. Watch this brief video, then, if you’re interested, let me hear from you at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The Fellowship of Ailbe is supported through the generous and faithful gifts of those who benefit from and believe in our work. Does the Lord want to use you in this way? Please look to Him in prayer over this question. You can contribute to The Fellowship of Ailbe by using the Contribute button at our website, or by sending your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Drive, Essex Junction, VT 05452. Thank you.

Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
All quotations from Aelred of Rievaulx, Spiritual Friendship, tr. By Mark F. Williams (Scranton: The University of Scranton Press, 1994, 2002).

T.M. Moore

T. M. Moore is principal of The Fellowship of Ailbe, a spiritual fellowship in the Celtic Christian tradition. He and his wife, Susie, make their home in the Champlain Valley of Vermont.
Books by T. M. Moore

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