I agree with you. There is a huge hunger for mentors. I’ve heard about a ton of young gals at our church asking for mentors and only a limited number of ladies responding to these opportunities.

I’m thrilled to hear you’re investing in the next generation. May God give you great wisdom!

I like your question. You could ask, “Does a mentor have to be called a mentor to be a mentor?” My take… No.

I sat here reading these comments and thought of several people throughout my life who’ve I’ve confided in, been “real” with, sought advice from and hopefully grew in the process - but I’ve never referred to those people as a “mentor”. I’m not saying that it isn’t necessary, I am just asking if it is? Does the relationship have to be defined or can it simply exist organically?

Great post! A few years ago I heard Tim Elmore discribe a mentor as, “A brain to pick, a shoulder to cry on and a kick in the seat of the pants.” I think it takes all three roles in balance.

I also think it’s the last role above that makes it difficult to be effectively mentored or to be an effective mentor. Accountability is one of the most talked about but least practiced Christian principles today. Everybody says they want accountability but too often when it happens the response is to push back (myself included!) It takes relationship, time, and establishing a “safe place,” to take off the mask and get real.

Blessings all over you.

Lisa, Thanks for the kind words. I’m so glad I gave you my full attention! My wife claims I never give my full attention to anything! :)

I hope your ministry is blessed!

The basic chewy mint ones. Not the fruity kinds.

Sounds like they have done a lot for so many people. They are big league.

OH Mentor…that’s a whole different thing all together. I have never had any success with a mentor type relationship either way. I pull on lots of folks around me and try to get around smarter people who have made a real impact in what they do. It just seems that to say I have any one or a group of ones that do what Craig talked about in his post would be an extreme overstatment. Now I am sad. Thanks Craig…nice job picking on a poor little student pastor guy. Not that you can make me sad–I choose to be sad based on what you said;o).

I have even had a few people in my life ask me to mentor them (Go figure)…but it never seems to work out. Maybe I shouldn’t scream at them like Matt Foley “the motivational speaker.”

In any case I soldier on…mentorless. And now…sad about it.

At least I still have mentos. The mint ones…

Sorry…Late night sermon prep boredom. I know–you’ll never get that 2 minutes back…but it took me 10 to write it.

The difficult transition is when you realize that you have the ability and responsibility to mentor others.

F - Faithful
A - Available
T - Teachable

May you be blessed with a FAT kid!

Thanks for the nine types of mentors. Very interesting.

Larry,

Wow! I had no idea you worked with my dad! :)

1. Discipler -Someone who can help you develop the basic habits and practices of a Christian.

2. Spiritual Mentor - Someone who can help you evaluate your spiritual health and spur you to a deeper relationship with God.

3. Coach -Someone who can teach you new skills

4. Counselor - Someone who gives advice and perspective when making decisions. This can be informal or formal “counseling�.

5. Teacher -Someone who helps you learn new things

6. Sponsor -Someone who opens doors and links you to people, new resources, new opportunities

7. Contemporary Model - Someone who’s example you can learn from and follow.

8. Historical Model - Someone in the past who’s life you can learn from – primarily through biographies.

9. Divine Contact - Someone who God brings across your path at just the right time, with just the right message

At different times, we have different mentoring needs.
Instead of finding one person to meet all your mentoring needs, “think small” develop a team of specific people to help you with specific mentoring needs. If you’re interested, you should check out the book “Connecting” He co-wrote.

I think the best way to find a mentor is to be one… and ask God to send one into your life.

I have more questions than answers too.

Blessings!

Being a mentor.

I think when you have a mentor, that relationship also is an example on how TO mentor. Both Chris & I had the opportunity to mentor several high schoolers in so many different areas - him with music and faith; and me with design and/or writing and faith. Most of our approach was learned by being the “mentee” (??) in a relationship.

It’s a trickle down effect, and now some of those high schoolers we mentored are in college and mentoring other high schoolers.

I will be posting some thoughts later today about mentoring to follow-up on Kris’ message yesterday. Also, Craig Groeschel from LifeChurch has just started a 5-part series on mentoring on his blog. It looks like it will be great stuff….