5 Reasons Every Pastor Needs a Group of Clergy Peers

by Pastor Travis Norton, Pinnacle West Associate

Ministry is a calling filled with beauty, burden, and complexity. No one should walk it alone. Gathering regularly with fellow clergy isn’t a luxury—it’s essential. Here’s why:

1. You’re Not the Only One with Answers.

Pastors are often the go-to source for theological insight, biblical interpretation, and church leadership. That constant role can create an illusion of expertise that isolates us from growth. When you spend time with other clergy—equally trained, yet differently gifted—you’re reminded that learning never stops. Humility deepens. Perspective widens. And your congregation benefits from a pastor who’s still being shaped.

2. Leadership Is Lonely—But It Doesn’t Have to Be.

Few people truly understand the weight of pastoral leadership: preaching truth, offering comfort, managing staff, stewarding buildings, and doing it all with spiritual integrity. A trusted group of clergy peers offers solidarity. It’s a space to vent, to celebrate, to be understood. That kind of companionship isn’t just comforting—it’s sustaining.

3. You Need a Sounding Board for Big Decisions.

Pastors make decisions that affect lives, budgets, buildings, and futures. From hiring staff to launching new ministries, the stakes are high. A clergy group provides a collective wisdom that sharpens your discernment. You’ll hear questions you hadn’t considered, stories of past mistakes you can learn from, and insights that help you lead with clarity and confidence.

4. You Need Help Seeing What You Can’t.

Even the most self-aware leaders have blind spots. When you’re tired or stretched thin, it’s easy to miss signs of burnout or overreach. We are experts at deceiving ourselves! A group of honest, caring clergy can gently reflect back what you might not see: when you’re pushing too hard, when your boundaries are slipping, or when your soul needs rest. That kind of truth-telling is a gift to you—and to your congregation.

5. You Need to Laugh—Deeply and Often.

Ministry is full of moments that are sacred, strange, and downright hilarious. But only other pastors truly understand. In a clergy group, you’ll share stories that spark real, soul-cleansing laughter. It’s not just fun—it’s healing. Laughter builds trust, releases tension, and reminds you that joy is part of the calling, too.

Don’t Lead Alone.

Gathering with fellow clergy isn’t just good for you—it’s good for your people. It keeps you grounded, growing, and connected to the wider body of Christ. 

Consider the Clergy Collective from Pinnacle.

One way to get started with a clergy group is to join our annual Clergy Collective offering. A once a month seminar and a monthly small group with other clergy is a great way to get some of the benefits of a clergy group. You can find more information at Pinnacle Leadership Associates.