Mentoring!

Dear Pastors

Mentoring!

I am a very keen advocate for the mentoring of young pastors. In fact after 45 years of Christian Leadership I have concluded that mentoring is more critical for a young pastors long term sustainability and success then whatever is taught in the classroom (Bible College) as important as that is.

Mentoring as I understand it is a developmental relationship in which a more experienced or knowledgeable person (the mentor) provides guidance, support, and advice to a less experienced or knowledgeable person (the mentee) to help them grow personally or professionally. This is an accepted ‘generic’ definition and can be applied in every arena of life including Christian ministry.

Mentoring is different to Discipleship though it includes it. Mentoring is not the same as Professional Supervision. Although the word is not used in the Bible, I think it is best illustrated in Paul’s relationship with Timothy. “I am writing to Timothy, my dear son”. 2 Timothy 1:2(NLT). We know that there was no biological relationship between Paul and Timothy (Acts 16:1-3) yet it is ever so clear that there is a bond between the elder Paul and the young pastor Timothy that is just like a Father and son relationship. Is not 1 and 2 Timothy (and Titus for that matter) all about Paul deeply desiring that Timothy becomes the best Pastor he can be?

Here are a few other examples. Moses was mentored by his father-in-law Jethro, first as son-in-law and then as a leader (Exodus 18). The mentoring relationship between Eli and Samuel prepared Samuel for the tasks and responsibilities that were his after Eli’s death (1 Samuel 1–4) and Jesus mentored His disciples (Luke 9).

So to put a sharper point on it. I think that what sets mentoring apart from all other forms of personal and professional development and modes of learning is ‘modelling’. Paul says it this way. “Follow my example as I follow the example of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). “Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice” (Philippians 4:9a). In essence, he is saying, “Let me mentor you. Let me be your role model”.

A good Mentor in a pastoral context is concerned for the aspiring young pastor (his mentee) to become an excellent pastor. It also applies to the development of leaders for mission organisations or a Christian not-for-profits, such that they will be set up for success for a life time. A good mentor is concerned about every facet of the mentee’s life. His/her past, family of origin, relationships, education, marriage and parenting, personal weaknesses and vulnerabilities etc etc.

Mentoring also provides:-

Knowledge and Skill Development - Mentees gain insights into their field or area of interest, learning from the mentor’s experiences and expertise.
Confidence and Self-Esteem: Having a mentor provides encouragement and constructive feedback, which boosts the mentee’s self-confidence.

Imagine if part of the ‘training phase’ to become a pastor and supplementing classroom based learning is a two to five year intentional mentoring programme that is field based and with the same mentor. After this period the relationship could continue or change as the young pastor/leader finds his or her own way in their chosen vocation. I have a hunch that we would end up with pastors who are more resilient to deal with the highs and lows in the pastoral vocation. They would be happier in their work and in life generally resulting in a much higher retention rates. And perhaps best of all we would have less ‘abuses of power’, sexual misconduct, and other deviant behaviours that have now sadly become common place. And that, my friends, would be a beautiful thing.

As always I’d love to hear any thoughts you might have.

Blessings
Alan