The Importance of Mentoring

When Jesus called us to be "wise as serpents and
innocent as doves "(Matthew 10:16), he was inviting us
to be open to all of the resources that can help our effectiveness.

Paul’s letters to the churches are the words of a mentor or coach—strengthening, encouraging, and enlightening us to become more effective ambassadors for Christ. Although we do not possess Paul’s authority or gifts, we too, are called to be mentors, serving those who serve as servants of Christ and stewards of God’s mysteries (1 Corinthians 4:1). Following Paul’s example, we are to pass on those things that lead to excellence in ministry.

The marks of good pastoral ministry can be found in the practice of many clergy who understand the need to care for the spirit, mind and body in personal and professional areas of life. These pastors seek excellence not only in the fundamentals of pastoral ministry, but also in a strong personal faith, and a wholesome, well-balanced marital and/or family life. Opportunities to grow in these areas abound, including books, conferences, journals, retreats, study leaves, videos, workshops, and peer groups for fellowship, prayer, and study. What is lacking in any large scale, organized manner is that which many were blessed enough to discover and utilize—an effective pastoral mentor. When Jesus called us to be wise as serpents and innocent as doves (Matthew 10:16), he was inviting us to be open to all of the resources that can help our effectiveness. “With mentoring, you learn to work harder and smarter and figure out things better.” – Susan Key, an associate professor and co-director of the doctoral program at the University of Alabama’s School of Business, as quoted in The Chicago Tribune, January 9,2002. Mentoring—including coaching, consulting, counseling, encouraging, and supporting personal and professional issues—is the one resource that can make the difference between frustration and fulfillment in pastoral ministry. According to fellow clergy who have been helpful in the development of Ministry Mentors, the best mentoring is offered by one who has shown a striving for excellence in his or her own ministry, and has developed the necessary skills to be an effective mentor/coach. This mentoring is confidential, independent, personalized, focused on specific issues presented by the pastor being mentored, and is readily available.

Ministry Mentors believes that the resources for helping pastors sustain excellence in pastoral ministry are already present, and need only to be effectively harnessed. These resources, having been successfully tested by Ministry Mentors, include:
 

1. exceptional active and retired pastors with a vision for helping others; 2. outstanding, spiritually sensitive professional trainers who can help     screen, train   and evaluate the mentoring process; 3. parish pastors open to becoming more effective; 4. area denominational leaders willing to consider outsourcing tasks     that cannot be provided through existing structure and limited       budgets; 5. individuals, congregations, and foundations who are willing to give     financial support to help pastors whose dynamic, faithful, grace-     oriented ministries will influence the course of history.

Good ministry is so good it should be passed on. Excellence, in God’s plan, is meant to be shared.