THE ART OF MENTORING 

(Excerpts from an Article Written by Mark Foster)

Mentoring is a word that we are hearing more and more today.  There have always been mentors, but it is being stressed more today and with good reason.  One of the most pressing needs of our day is the training of young men and women for ministry and life.

Mentoring takes time, commitment, and dedication, but when it is done, the rewards are resounding.  Who among us has never needed training?  Or who among us no longer needs to be continuing the learning processes and constantly trying to better ourselves for our particular ministry?

“Has the leader a right to mold and shape?

Of what use is aging, experience, and wisdom

if not to be the leaven for those who are younger?

Of what use is pain if not to teach others to avoid it?

The leader not only has the right; if he is a leader,

he has the obligation.” —Harry Levinson

A true mentor is someone who is very unselfish and is willing to share all the wisdom and knowledge that they have in order to see someone else excel.  A mentor reproduces himself in others.  A mentor gets great satisfaction in seeing his student flourish, grow, and perhaps even supersede their mentor.

 “If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants” ~ Issacc Newton

PETER/PAUL ~ There are different types of mentors

PETER

• PETER~ Is like a sociologist – he helps us understand ourselves
• Intellectually and culturally slow, but interpersonally very quick
• Had a relational talent – connecting with people, making them feel appreciated. From him you learn to love people and connect with them.

PAUL

• PAUL~ Is like an anthropologist – he helps us understand the world around us
• Paul was intellectually and culturally quick, but interpersonally very slow

o   Had a intellectual talent:

• Able to quickly debunk false doctrine
• He is quick at Biblical application, doctrine
• He sees things in the scripture quickly
• He makes intellectual connections

PETER ~ It took a while for Peter to understand that the gospel was addressed for all humanity; It took a Vision with God waving and screaming at him. He witnessed Gentiles filled with the Holy Ghost

PAUL ~ Paul got it immediately

• You will study with several Peter/Paul mentors in your lifetime.
• You will form a different relationship with each one
• This means that each relationship will play a different role in your life

ROLES THE MENTOR PLAYS

1) VALUE SHAPER …

Every leader ought to be a “value shaper.” A mentor must first share values and then strive to shape values. In the shaping of values, we are also molding character.

2) AN EDUCATOR, GUIDE AND ADVISOR… 

A mentor is an educator by teaching principles and skills. They are also a guide by actually giving “how to” instruction and by following in the progress. They offer wisdom and advice.

3) A ONE-MAN SUPPORT GROUP IF NEEDED… 

Encouragement — The mentor offers encouragement in every aspect of ministry. Lending positive leadership and encouragement in the good times as well as the bad.

• Accountability — A part of the support is helping the student to be accountable. We all need to be accountable to someone, no matter how old or wise we get.

• Positive motivation — The mentor motivates out of love rather than out of fear. When people are motivated out of love, they usually respond with great enthusiasm.

4) A DREAMER AND A VISIONARY… 

5) MUST HAVE PASSION / ENTHUSIASM… 

• Dreams — The great leader is a great dreamer. The mentor encourages the student to dream great dreams and to believe that they can come true through dedication and hard work.
• Vision — The mentor then encourages the student to set goals and work a plan. The working of the plan helps the vision becomes reality.

The mentor must have enthusiasm if they expect the student to. Enthusiasm breeds enthusiasm. When you are around someone that has passion and enthusiasm, you will catch it.

6) MUST BE DISCIPLINED… 

The world is full of talented individuals who have not excelled because they don’t have the proper discipline. Likewise, the world is full of less talented individuals who have far surpassed their more talented peers simply because they were disciplined. Discipline is doing the tasks (whether small or large) that you don’t like to do, or that no one else wants to do, and doing them well.

7) MUST BE A PROMOTER OF UNITY… 

Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10).

8) ATTITUDE IS ALL-IMPORTANT IN

LEADERSHIP… 

If you are to be a leader, you must possess the right attitude. A leader needs to be able to create a “can do” attitude.

9) RISK TAKING… 

Risks are not to be taken just for risk sake alone. But some things will never be accomplished without the willingness to take risks. A mentor must teach that a great leader is willing to take risks.

10) COMMITMENT…

Ordinary people can make an extraordinary impact on their world with commitment. Often the difference between success and failure is not someone being smarter, faster, or better educated, but it very often boils down to commitment.

This series is loosely based off Leonard Sweet’s book by 11: Indispensable Relationships You Can’t Be Without  and the preaching notes of my friend, Shawn Stickler, Lead Pastor of The Pentecostals of Quinte in Belleville, ON. I have also personalized these outlines with my own thoughts and stories.

FRIENDS OF THE BIBLE SERIES

LESSON ONE: WHO’S YOUR JONATHAN? YOU NEED A TRUE FRIEND!

LESSON TWO: WHO’S YOUR NATHAN? YOU NEED AN EDITOR!

LESSON THREE: WHO’S YOUR JETHRO? YOU NEED A MOTIVATOR!

LESSON FOUR: WHO’S YOUR DEBORAH? YOU NEED A PROTECTOR!

LESSON FIVE: WHO’S YOUR BARNABAS? YOU NEED AN ENCOURAGER!

LESSON SIX: WHO’S YOUR RHODA? YOU NEED A LITTLE ONE!

LESSON SEVEN: WHO’S YOUR PAUL/PETER? YOU NEED A MENTOR!