Mark 6:31 "Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while." Pastors sometimes assume withdrawal is what faithful people do only after ministry ends. Jesus' life tells a different story. Jesus withdrew in the middle of ministry—not because the mission was unimportant, but because communion with the Father was essential to the … Continue reading Come Away and Rest A While: What Pastors Can Learn from Jesus’ Pattern of Withdrawal (Part 5)
leadership
Jesus is Our Rest: Why the Deepest Renewal a Pastor Needs Cannot be Found Merely in a Day Off (Part 4)
In Matt. 11:28-29 Jesus said, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." A pastor can take a day off and still remain restless. He can leave town and carry the church with him in his head. He can sleep longer and still wake up anxious. That … Continue reading Jesus is Our Rest: Why the Deepest Renewal a Pastor Needs Cannot be Found Merely in a Day Off (Part 4)
The Significant Role of Small Town Rural Pastors (Part 2)
Small-town rural churches are significant because they contribute to Kingdom growth in many ways. First, they are giving to the CP. In 2023, SBC churches reported undesignated receipts of over $10 billion, up less than 1% from 2022, and mission expenditures through SBC avenues increased by 9% to nearly $800 million. Although they may contribute less than … Continue reading The Significant Role of Small Town Rural Pastors (Part 2)
Component 4: Paul Releases Timothy to Mentor Others
Three passages in 2 Timothy mark the importance of Paul commending Timothy to mentor others, as he has received training as a mentee. In their book Mentoring: Biblical, Theological, and Practical Perspectives, Dean K Thompson and Dr. Cameron Murchison write, “Of the three pastoral epistles, the letter that most clearly represents the wisdom of an elder Christian passed … Continue reading Component 4: Paul Releases Timothy to Mentor Others
Component 3: Paul Trains Timothy in an Incremental Way
A wise leader does not entrust his follower with a task he has not first prepared him to receive. He gradually trains and releases over time and with great care. The mentoring approach of Paul to Timothy exemplifies this slow and deliberate process. The art of mentoring is on display when a mature mentor releases … Continue reading Component 3: Paul Trains Timothy in an Incremental Way
Component 2: Paul Shares His Life and Ministry Alongside of Timothy
In his well-known book, The Master Plan of Evangelism, Dr. Robert E. Coleman writes, “Building men and women is not that easy. It requires constant personal attention, much like a father gives to his children…children are not raised by proxy. The example of Jesus would teach us that it can be done only by persons staying close to … Continue reading Component 2: Paul Shares His Life and Ministry Alongside of Timothy
Mentoring Component 1: Paul Nurtured a Personal Relationship with Timothy
In these posts regarding mentoring, I will contend that Paul’s mentoring approach to raising Timothy up as a leader includes nurturing a person relationship with him, sharing life alongside of him, training him in an incremental way, and releasing him to multiply into other leaders. I will share the first of these components in this post. … Continue reading Mentoring Component 1: Paul Nurtured a Personal Relationship with Timothy
Defining Terms: Spiritual Mentoring and Church Leadership
Relationships are the secret sauce of leadership development. Mentoring is leadership by relationship. It is tricky to define “mentoring”, but there are some features worth emphasizing as we consider several definitions. In this post, I would like to consider at least three helpful definitions as it relates to the ministry mentoring relationships. In the book, Spiritual Mentoring: A Guide for … Continue reading Defining Terms: Spiritual Mentoring and Church Leadership
Biblical Meaning and Significance of Mentoring
Biblically, the word “mentor” is not a word employed by Scripture writers. However, its sense and meaning can be observed throughout Scriptures in several words and relationships. Walter Brueggemann acknowledges this when he writes, “Mentoring as an idea is quite a modern notion. The practice of mentoring, however, is quite old.”[1] In the Old Testament, Hebrew … Continue reading Biblical Meaning and Significance of Mentoring
Origins of Mentor and Mentoring
As I typed this out, my mind wandered to Sméagol (aka Gollum) in the Lord of the Rings. Tolkien writes: “The most inquisitive and curious‑minded of that family was called Sméagol. He was interested in roots and beginnings; he dived into deep pools; he burrowed under trees and growing plants; he tunneled into green mounds; and he … Continue reading Origins of Mentor and Mentoring
Valley Shepherds 