Friendship can be hard, disappointing, and even painful. But it can also be a great source of joy, encouragement, and love. Ultimately, I believe that God has given us friendship as a gift. One that helps us grow as His disciples and that provides a deeper understanding of God’s love by giving us a taste of being known and loved. Deep friendships where this is experienced are cultivated through personal awareness, intentionality, and hard work.

In this workshop, we’ll explore these ideas further and give you practical tools that you can use to further deepen your friendships. The workshop structure will involve personal reflection, discussion with others, gaining wisdom from a panel, and being able to ask your own questions.

I’d encourage you to come with a friend or two! There will be time for y’all to have intentional conversations about your own friendship.

About Stephen:

Though I’ve grown up in the church, a few years ago, I started wondering if what I was experiencing with relationships in the church was what God intended for us. I have been on a journey ever since, reading, listening, and reflecting on the topic of friendship. I believe that it is a wonderful gift that God has given us to experience being known and loved.

Practically speaking, I have had experience leading small groups for over 20 years and have been involved in leadership with multiple men’s and college young adult ministries and retreats. I’ve also been navigating what friendship looks like over 9 years of marriage and while raising two young children over the past 6 years. Currently, I have been a facilitator with my community group for the past 4 years, part of a men’s group for the past 5 years, and I have also coordinated a monthly men’s gathering for the past 2 years.

I am still a growing friend myself who is always open to sharing my experiences and learnings on the subject.