Mentor, Friend, Coach, Supervisor,

Dear Pastors

Mentor, Friend, Coach, Supervisor,

I can’t begin to tell you the benefits of a Mentor especially as a younger pastor. Let me cut to the chase. I made enough mistakes with a Mentor. I’d hate to think how many more mistakes I might have made without one.

A Mentor simply put is (normally) an older person who has been where you are and/or has lived life a bit longer and is willing to invest in you by listening to you and offering you advise, counsel and wisdom. A good mentor cares for you and your family. A good Mentor makes sure you are never alone especially during tough times.

Mentors instruct and guide; sometimes they're like a cheerleader, while at other times they are like tough love to the extreme.

Mentoring in the Bible
While we don't see the word mentor in the Bible, we certainly see mentoring relationships. When Jesus trained up the team that would ultimately birth the church, he mentored them New Testament-style: he discipled them. He invested three years in his band of disciples. He taught and trained them, listened to them and encouraged them. After three years of on-the-job training with the greatest leader ever, their leadership skills were transformed. Not only was the early church born, but these leaders continued to raise up other leaders and lead the church through explosive growth, changes, persecution, and uncertain times.

Where would David have been without Samuel in those early years? Barak without Deborah?

Throughout the Bible, we see leaders who wouldn't have reached the heights of their influence and leadership capacity without mentors speaking into their lives, modelling how to live, and equipping them to navigate the days ahead. Where would David have been without Samuel in those early years? Barak without Deborah? Esther without Mordecai, Timothy and Titus without Paul?

Mentoring is Unique
A mentoring relationship is different to any other relationship. Peer group and friend wisdom is important, Supervisors are necessary, and Coaches have an incredibly important role. But they are different. They come and they go. A mentor is a long term committed relationship. A mentor knows you and knows you well. You can’t pull the wool over his or her eyes. A Mentor is committed to your success and will tell you the truth you need to hear. Mentors instruct and guide; sometimes they're like a cheerleader, while at other times they are like tough love to the extreme.

If you are in the first half of your pastoral leadership vocation I would urge you today to seek out a Mentor. Pray that God will bring someone along your path. And when He does you must take a risk and ask. If you are new to pastoral leadership I would encourage you to seek out a mentor irrespective of your age. If you are in the second half of your life why not consider becoming a mentor and if you do please become a really good one.

Blessings
Alan

Announcement:
Revitalise is a half day gathering for Pastors and Christian leaders in Hamilton on the 18th March 2021. Don Barry is the Keynote speaker. Information and Rego details can be found here.