Mentoring is an approach to developing leaders in keeping with a company’s values and procedures. In almost every setting–education, business, the arts, NGOs–mentoring can help to pass on the DNA of an organization to those who have potential for leading and helping the organization to succeed. Mentoring often involves modeling, coaching, or passing on attitudes and skills that will help the junior partner succeed in the role for which he or she is being mentored.
Often in a secular environment, the spirit of mentoring is power-based, influence-oriented and success-driven. In an environment that is grounded in the values of God’s Kingdom, the spirit of mentoring recognizes power is from the King, influence is not for self-promotion but for the King’s glory, and the measure of success is upside down, humility rather self-aggrandizement, servanthood rather domination, downward rather than upward mobility.
The Jesus-follower’s primary mentor is Jesus. He models the spirit of Christ-like mentoring to us. MentorLink observes, “Christ gave one holy model and it works in every culture! It’s the posture of a Servant bent over a basin, gently washing dirty feet. The desired outcome was the deliverance of people from the bondage of evil and into God’s Kingdom. This Servant was crushed, dejected and scarred for a testimony of God’s power to redeem through sacrificial love.” (MentorLink.org)
On God’s spiritual growth spectrum, salvation–growth/discipleship–mentoring/leadership development, multiplication is the King’s way: disciples reproducing disciples, mentors developing mentees. Multiplication is in Pursuing God’s Heart’s DNA. “Multiplying Leaders: Mentoring and being mentored for Kingdom advance.” Paul shared with his mentee, Timothy, “You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others” (2 Timothy 2:2 NLT).
Let’s talk about this together. Share about someone who has mentored you. How did they impact who you are and how you do ministry? Please comment below. What you share may have a mentor-like influence on others!
I have been blessed with a great mentor. Someone who for years has helped shape and guide my life always pointing me towards Scripture. Multiple times over the years when struggling to get a hold of theology, that I found to be at odds with what I had always believed. In seeking wisdom and an easy answer from my mentor he would always respond “What does the Bible say?” “But I want to know what you think, just tell me what you think about it.” Again, he would respond “What does the Bible say.” I am sure I could never express my gratitude for his roll in my life. I have shared that answer many times over the years in ministry when counseling or mentoring. Rather than just give my answer, “What does the Bible say?”
It was Pastor Joseph Stowell who said, “we teach what we know, but we reproduce who we are.” From the beginning of my walk with Jesus there have been older saints who have invested in me to imitate their faith in Christ. I caught the vision of being mentoring and mentoring others early on and I attribute much of my growth in Christ from this. I like to see myself “in the middle” with at least one above me, mentoring me and at least one below me in that I am mentoring them. I also have what I call my LDM – Long Distance Mentors. These are men and women who may still be with us but most of them are now at Home and I continue to be strengthened and built up in my faith through their writings. Currently I am mentoring a group of men and the daily challenges of living out the truth of our faith in line with the Gospel is an investment worth serving.
I like what you say about the “middle”, Mike. I think you are suggesting something like a “chain” reaction, or a flow of mentoring from one to the next. Lord, give us lots of links in your the mentoring relationships you give us!
I’ve heard you mention “LDM” in conversation, but I haven’t considered Long Distance Mentors as those who have passed on. It makes me think of being “surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses.” I can’t remember the name of the book, but I got a lot out it’s theme that the saints in the Bible continue to mentor us as we read and apply the Word.
Does anyone know author and title?