Every Superhero Needs a Squad

By Kent Fillinger

April 28 is National Superhero Day. Depending on how you count, over 130 superhero movies have been released in the U.S. since the year 2000. People are fascinated by the folklore of superheroes, and they love to watch a compelling story where the hero triumphs over evil.  

We like to elevate and celebrate individuals while overlooking and forgetting the contributions of the team. There really are no solo actors. Most superheroes don’t save the day entirely on their own; rather they often have a sidekick or squad that helps. The Lone Ranger had Tonto, Batman had Robin, and even Superman helped create the Justice League so he could have a team to work with. Not to mention superhero teams like The Fantastic Four, The Avengers, and X-Men.  

Reasons for Working with a Team 

It’s wise to remember that superheroes choose to work with a team for a combination of strategic advantages, psychological benefits, and social fulfillment. A team allows heroes to overcome threats they couldn’t handle alone while providing much-needed support for their personal and emotional lives. 

No single hero has every skill or power, but a team can assemble a range of abilities to solve any problem. For example, The Avengers combine Iron Man’s technology, Captain America’s tactical leadership, Thor’s raw power, and Hulk’s brute strength. 

Some other benefits of working with a team rather than solo include increased efficiency when specialization of roles allows for faster and more effective solutions, shared resources, a built-in support system, and a sense of belonging. Psychological research suggests that people desire to be part of an elite group while also contributing something unique to it. 

Working in a team allows heroes to develop new skills, such as leadership, collaboration, and communication. A team environment can push individuals to become better heroes. Superheroes who work with a squad also benefit from having checks and balances, which is especially helpful for younger heroes and those who are naturally more impulsive. The team can hold each other accountable, preventing one person from making a crazy mistake. 

Superheroes also face immense stress, trauma, and moral conflicts. A team offers emotional support and a safe space to process these experiences, and helps heroes find empathy from others who have gone through similar challenges. 

Reasons Not to Go It Alone 

Despite the advantages of working with a squad, some superheroes choose to work alone. For a variety of reasons, such as a desire to avoid losing more friends and teammates, tragic personal backstories that have left lingering trauma, wounds that make it difficult for them to form connections with others, trust issues caused by past betrayals, and naturally independent personalities, some superheroes work independent of a group. Solo superheroes inevitably end up feeling lonely and loneliness leads to various problems. 

Superheroes and pastors are similar in their symbolic roles as protectors and leaders, serving their communities by fighting against negative forces, inspiring others, and offering hope. While fictional superheroes possess extraordinary abilities and pastors rely on spiritual guidance, both operate on the themes of selflessness, sacrifice, and the desire to bring about a better world for those they serve. 

I know October is Pastor Appreciation Month, but maybe it’s time churches start celebrating their pastors on National Superhero Day as well. This holiday was created in 1995 by a group of employees at Marvel Comics.  

The original idea was to celebrate favorite comic book characters, but over time, the meaning expanded to honor real people who demonstrate courage and dedication to serving others. It’s a day to celebrate both fictional superheroes as well as real-life heroes like pastors who inspire us every day.  

Pastors face a growing crisis of loneliness and isolation, with multiple studies showing a significant rise in these feelings over the past decade. In a 2023 study by Barna and Gloo, 65 percent of U.S. pastors reported feelings of loneliness and isolation, a dramatic increase from 42 percent in 2015. Research published by Standing Stone Ministry in 2025 noted that pastoral burnout risk has nearly quadrupled since 2015, with stress and loneliness cited as major factors. 

This isolation is often a leading factor in pastoral burnout and can have a devastating impact on the leader’s mental and emotional health. The number of pastors who say they feel frequently supported by people close to them fell from 68 percent in 2015 to just 49 percent in 2022. And a 2024 Lifeway Research study revealed that 54 percent of pastors spend time with fewer than 10 other local pastors.  

Feelings of support are directly correlated with the number of fellow pastors a minister knows. Barna research consistently finds that stress and loneliness are the top two reasons pastors consider quitting. In a March 2022 survey, 43 percent of pastors considering a career change cited loneliness and isolation as the main reasons. 

Even Jesus didn’t go it alone! Jesus had a spiritual squad (God the Father and God the Holy Spirit) and he had an earthly squad (the 12 disciples, his inner circle with Peter, James and John, and many friends including Lazarus, Mary, and Martha). 

Jesus, the Ultimate Team Player 

Jesus understood that he was strong alone but stronger together. Leadership guru Ken Blanchard wrote, “None of us is as smart as all of us.” And Christian songwriter Rich Mullins sang, “We’re not as strong as we think we are, and none are stronger than the humble and few are weaker than the proud.” If you’re trying to go it alone and tough it out, then you’re missing out on your true power and potential as a pastor.  

In America today, 54 percent of all churches are led by a solo minister, whether full-time, part-time, or unpaid. Another 16 percent of U.S. congregations employ two ministerial staff, while only about a fourth (28 percent) employ three or more pastors. 

If you’re a solo pastor, then follow the example of Superman and find or create your Justice League. Take advantage of formal groups like Covenant Connections groups, Level-Up Preaching Cohorts, or area pastors’ roundtable groups. Or informally connect with other friends in ministry. 

Tony Stark (aka Iron Man) said, “Heroes are made by the path they choose, not the powers they are graced with.” Don’t hide behind the shield of your spiritual gifts, but rather, choose to connect regularly with other pastors who can help spur you on to love and good deeds as you continue to fight evil forces and make an eternal difference!