I think I’ve often viewed mentoring the wrong way. For years, I’ve been an advocate of having a mentor. I’ve had one since I was in my early 20’s. I’ve written about mentoring previously. I’ve written about mentoring in posts such as:
Questions to Help Know What to do with a Mentor
In the last post listed, I stated that if you want a mentor, you must be willing to ask someone to mentor you. I still agree with that concept. If you need a mentor, it’s better to ask one than to do without. I wonder, however, if that’s really the Biblical model.
Consider for example:
- Jesus said, “Follow me” (Mark 1:17)
- Paul recruited Timothy (Acts 16:3)
- Barnabas took Mark (Acts 15:37)
- Paul chose Silas (Acts 15:40)
So my questions are:
- Should we recruit people to mentor?
- Who are you investing in today?
- Who are you mentoring?
- Who should you be?
- Will you make the first call?
You may feel you have nothing to offer. That held me back from intentionally recruiting people to mentor for years. I’ve learned, however, that if a person has experience at any level, they have plenty to share with those who haven’t walked where they walk.
In a future post I’ll share how I have implemented this thought process.
Do you have a mentor?
Do you have someone to mentor?
Do you need to recruit someone?
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Mentoring is a great concept. Ilike to mentor people. Though I have not had any mentor specifically as such, I have tried to provide support to some of my genuine team members who are sincere and eager to learn. And, I enjoy this process of coaching and building up people.
You have great wisdom to share with others.
While I don't have a mentor who has been where I want to be, I have plenty of mentors from a distance. Not very many people come up to a person and say, "I wan to mentor you." It seems as if the closest thing to that would be a boss taking you through professional development.
Recently I started taking five students on a seven week study through seven of the 21 Qualities of a Leader by John Maxwell. They have responded enthusiastically about it, buying the book for themselves and showing up every week out of desire to be there rather than obligation.
By the way: I'll soon have my own to invest in! Marla is 10 weeks pregnant!
Congratulations! That's awesome. Thanks for intentionally reaching out to others.
Twitter: _brad_gilbert_
says:
I have been thinking about this for awhile now. I don't have a mentor/teacher now, but have recently thought it would be helpful. I am about to read, for the first time, your post "How Do I Find A Mentor." But I appreciate your focus on recruiting. I have someone in my church in mind, and this post somewhat cemented the idea into my mind. My only question is this – how is this, or is it, different that what we normally call discipleship?
I don't know that it's specically different. Mentoring though is a form of discipleship. In discipleship the goal is specific…to make them like Jesus. In mentoring you help them answer life issues and struggles such as career issues, balancing family and work, etc. What does it means to be a man? Stuff like that. Make sense?
Yes, thanks for the follow-up info!
Great post! Yes, I have a mentor who has been friend, teacher, father figure, and encourager in my life for the last 9 years. I am grateful to serve on his pastoral staff. I believe the story of Elijah and Elisha exemplifies well the need for the "recruiting mentor" and the "responsive apprentice".
Good passage illustration