Spiritual Friendship: Learning to Be Friends with God and One Another

What “They” Say . . . What Will You Say?

All ministry leaders need to cultivate healthy and life-giving friendships, with peers and especially with Jesus. Unfortunately the concept of friendship has been reduced to clicks and “likes” on social media sites that are neither life-giving nor truly signs of friendship. Hank Voss, using the wisdom of Aelred of Rievaulx, reorients us to the great value and depth of true and lasting friendships and to their centrality in generous and holistic service to others.

~ Rev. Greg Peters, PhD, Professor of Medieval and Spiritual Theology, Torrey Honors College, Biola University

As a pupil of Bernard of Clairvaux and his Sermons on the Song of Songs , Aelred focused on being God’s friend (John 14:1). Aelred’s Spiritual Friendship is an excellent book, both of scholarship and of devotion.

~ James M. Houston, DPhil, Professor Emeritus of Spiritual Theology, Regent College

In an age of information overload, globalization, increasing isolation, and individualism, we need the reminder that friendships among Christians can be holy and life-giving, and indeed provide the needed accountability for faithful, fruitful, long term ministry. From my own experience as a single in ministry, life can be lonely . . . but it does not have to be. Thanks to Aelred and Hank Voss, we have that reminder.

~ Stephanie Lowry, PhD, Lecturer in Theology and Programme Coordinator, Africa International University