Connections. . .

I feel like a bit of a slacker seeing that Josh has already posted twice on here, and I have only posted once. But I do have a great excuse - and I want to write about it today.
Today I want to talk about connections in ministry.  By this I mean the relationships you have with other minister and members in different churches.  I don't mean networking, which is something I learned a lot about in college.  Networking involves meeting people from different companies to either build business or get a better job.  What I mean is making connections in order to build your relationship with God, challenge you in ministry, and have some sort of accountability.
One great connection that I have is with my host family from a previous church that I worked at.  This weekend I went back to visit them, and I can't even explain how refreshing that was for me.  The thing that I love about this family is that they know me, love me, and expect certain things out of me without demanding them.  They hold me to a certain standard. They support me 100% and give me advice - even when I don't ask for it!
The most awesome thing about this family though is that not a single one of them are in "ministry".  They don't go to a church day in and day out for their job.  No, they are out there in the real world, working daily with people who are not Christians.  They see their jobs as ministry, and that is what blows my mind.  Even more awesome, they love each other unconditionally.  Knowing this family, and seeing them live out their lives, in good times and bad, has challenged me more than any fellow minister ever has.  If we all had a love for God like this family has a love for each other - even when one member makes another beyond angry - we would rarely struggle in putting Him first.
I think that connections in ministry are extremely important. The families that I have built relationships with, pastors and fellow minister who have poured into me, and individuals that I have seen work out their salvation with fear and trembling have done more for me and my walk with God than anything else, other than studying the Word.  So here is my question for you: how are you connected with the members of your church? Members of other churches?  Is there anyone older than you that you are allowing to pour into your life?  Is there a family that you are looking to as a guide to your marriage and love for God?  
All of these things and more are important to have as we live out our relationships with God and our ministries.  As you serve, whether it be at a small church or a large church, you need to be filled up while you are pouring out.  It is impossible to overflow into your students if you cup is getting empty, and one of the ways to refill it is through connections.  I challenge you to go out and make a new one today.