In the book, Spiritual Mentoring: A Guide for Seeking and Giving Direction, Keith Anderson and Randy Reese help us know that spiritual mentoring is for ordinary followers of Christ. As ordinary believers who model as Jesus did in our daily lives we pass on our faith in teaching another. Although the command Jesus gives us in ‘following me’ is simple, the relationship is complex. “This simple command assumes a complex relationship through which one becomes educated for the reign of God” (Anderson and Reese 15). Furthermore, Jesus commands the church “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations…teaching them to obey everything I have command you.” (NIV, Matthew 28:19-20). Hence, this paper is a summary of each chapter, finalizing with …show more content…
But it is about what the Holy Spirit is speaking to you about in your life that you are to follow in obedience as He is leading. Spiritual mentoring is a form of spiritual formation. “These relationships may be formal or informal, structured or unstructured, hierarchical or mutual, but they all have one primary function: they are processes of spiritual formation by which one person becomes a spiritual guide for one or several others” (Anderson and Reese 36). However, it is important to be aware that spiritual formation is strongly influenced through informal mentoring. (Anderson and …show more content…
To listen what is being shared and discern what God may be undertaking in the life of the mentoree. The mentor should create a safe learning space so that the mentoree can hear and have an open heart to be taught. Seeking to be taught should be an action we never outgrow as a believer, but lives that represent lifelong learning. And sixth, to discern wisely what God is up. This will come when seeking a desire to walk close with God and spending time with Him. (Anderson and Reese) Seventh, spiritual mentoring is for all believers practiced in all. It is not just reserved for specialists. Readiness to mentor is seen in believers who nurture hospitable friendships, are self aware of God leading in their life, and are able to help another believer listen. (Anderson and Reese) The characteristics to look for in a mentor are a Christ-like role model displaying holiness, spiritual maturity, biblical knowledge, wisdom, spiritual disciplines, prayer, a listener, gifted in recognizing potential, discerning, trustworthy, experienced life, and an attitude of grace. The primary task of the mentor is “to awaken the mentoree to his or her uniqueness as a loved child of God, created in the image of God for intimacy of relationship that empowers the individual for authentic acts of ministry” (Anderson and Reese 45).
The Art of Beginning Well:
Mark McMinn purposely writes this twofold book to first, address the pragmatic assimilation of psychology, theology, and spirituality. Secondly, he explores the spirituality of a Christian counselor, and how this aspect of character affects the methods he or she may use to represent Jesus Christ when dealing with clients. Altogether, this book discusses the dual need for Biblical Counselors to multitask with clients while pursuing personal development in spirituality to advance a Christian worldview. The objective is to “help Christian counselors and researchers unite around certain key questions and perspectives so that our interventions become increasingly relevant and effective" (p. 6).
Discipleship is the process of making disciples; students or followers of someone (Oxford Dictionaries, 2016). Although discipleship existed long before Jesus, the disciple-making process as expressed by Jesus is the most impactful example for Christianity. The following is an analysis of discipleship as it was applied to Jesus’ ministry, Jesus’ discipleship model in light of modern leadership theories, and a discussion of what can be gleaned from Jesus’ discipleship model.
Gary Collins, a Christian counselor, helps individuals to comprehend their full potential using a God-centered way of coaching. He believes that, through coaching, an individual builds up a vision for their life and a desire for a good future. The book aids coaches to acquire skills that they require to help others, to emerge winners during difficult and challenging moments in their life. The book is also designed to develop Christian coaches’ in questioning, listening and responding. These can help Christian coaches to assess themselves and build up a strategy for their work. Collins rewrote the second edition in order to simplify his coaching methods. The second publication develops his practical skills as a new head in the world that is changing quickly, which includes how to use diverse situations, insights based on the Bible and customized forms among others.
In order for Biblical counseling to be effective, a counselor must be completely prepared to work in the ministry of helping others. Beyond the worldly challenges, a Christian counselor also faces humanistic therapeutic false views of secular therapy. Christian counselors maintain a focal point in guiding people to living a life that is full of spiritual richness and maturity. Yet, secular therapist focuses on self-gratification and self-actualization. As Christian ministry helpers, you must be living by the truth and exemplify a Christ-centered life. Crabb (1977) developed a counseling model that teaches us how to develop individualized life maps that will guide people to spiritual growth, maturity, and a long-lived Christ-centered life. It is essential as Christian counselor’s we are able to bring people to understand that the elucidation to their problems God has the answer prearranged scripturally. Furthermore, enlighten the client that their inclusive security is in Christ Jesus that our negative life events have no precedence, as HE will accept us no matter the circumstances. Scripture offer direction to lay helpers “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you” (John 14:26).
Spiritual direction is defined as “help that is given to another to enable him to become himself in his faith” (Davis, 266). It is an adolescent religious education model that encourages an ongoing relationship between the mentor and adolescent; involving one-on-one meetings where discussion centers on issues which are affecting the adolescent’s life in hopes to see how God may be present and working in them. Spiritual direction addresses the major concerns in each individual adolescent's life. Through this educational model, adolescents wrestle with relevant spiritual questions which may lead him or her to discern presence of God in his or her life (Davis, 268). Because adolescence is a time in which one desires to find a deeper meaning to one’s life, spiritual direction from the Church and parents is both beneficial and necessary. Adolescents develop the capability to reason and question, thus understanding the Truth in a new spiritual way. It is important for spiritual leaders to walk alongside adolescents to direct them towards the Truth. This development stage opens individuals to new capabilities for addressing a spiritual hunger, making it the prime time for conversion (Davis, 270). With spiritual direction from parents and mentors in the Church, adolescents can discover and create individual identities before God.
Bryant and Brunson have done a terrific job of assessing the pastoral ministry and giving sound advice, to the young or prospective pastor. The present author believes that this book should be standard in every pastor’s library. “God promises to be with his servants as they follow” (Bryant and Brunson 2007, 16) The apostle Paul gave three rules to keep the pastor on the track of a good reward: “Fight the Good Fight; Finish the Race; and Keep the Faith.” (Bryant and Brunson 2007, 240-242) The greatest joy for a pastor is to, “Finish well.”
Both counselling and mentoring utilise a lot of the same skills (Clutterbuck and Megginson, 1999), confusing people about which one they need. They are both based on the needs of the client, with an agenda set by the client and share the key aim of attempting to enable clients to help themselves. However, mentoring’s structure is much more informal, sessions can be spontaneous, mainly only when the mentee needs support or advice, unlike counselling where sessions are predetermined and more regular. Additionally, mentoring does not attempt to resolve deep underlying issues, instead it is the acquisition of wisdom to help the mentee progress. Another major difference between the two is that a dual relationship between a mentor and mentee is more accepted and beneficial than between a therapist and client (Bluckert, 2005). As the relationship is slightly different, a mentor is able to provide direction or advice, unlike a counsellor, who enables not advises. Overall, the two may share similar skills, but have very different
Dees (2013) noted that wisdom is a critical to a leader’s success in an organization. Solomon asking God for wisdom was a clear demonstration of his understanding of what he needed to be successful (Dees, 2014). Organizations need leaders that make informed decisions through careful deliberations of viable options. Leaders should continually seek to learn and gain wisdom. Wisdom is gained through reading, writing, teaching, and mentoring (Dees, 2013). The commitment to lifelong learning and continuous improvement is a catalyst for organization short and long-term success. Dees (2013) noted that wise leaders have mentors. According to Dziczkowski (2013), some of the world’s most respected leaders have trusted mentors. From an organizational perspective, it is imperative to have both the leader and follower committed to the developmental process (mentorship). Hyatt (2011) noted that for one to become a great leader, they must be a great follower. According to Dees (2013), wise leadership consists of developing others and helping them reach their full potential. Lastly, wise leadership should be considered a lifelong process. Wisdom building, personal and follower development should not be viewed any differently. Whether one is a leader or a follower, they should wait upon the Lord (Dees,
God is the focal point for spiritual gifts, talents, and training for leadership. The disciples were trained by Jesus. He did not take disciples into a classroom but He taught by examples.9 Many times the disciples were put in situations by Jesus to help them learn on-the-job. Even in missions, leaders cannot be prepared for every circumstance that may arise; however; with his talents, spiritual gifts, and the Holy Spirit, one can have the resources necessary to be successful. With one’s failures, spiritual gifts, and talents, the Holy Spirit will use these things to train leaders as they continue to aspire in
understanding that they must possess the willingness to be strong emotionally and have a strong faith in the Lord. When you step into the realm
During Mr. Harper’s presentation, he also went over some myths about the perfect mentor. Some of the myths about mentoring included: (1) the mentor and mentee must physically meet, (2) it is only a one- way mentorship, and (3) mentors must have all the answers. It is never just a one-way mentorship because there is always new information that can be learned by the mentor. Mentors also do not always have all the answers because no one person knows everything. It is okay to seek help from a professor or other
As a counselor, I will with the help of the Holy Spirit, walk this passage of scripture out in my daily profession. I am reminded of a quote given by one of my instructors. She stated, as a professional I bring my expertise but a Christian I come on my knees. I am nothing more than a servant in the field of counseling.
In conclusion, everyone’s have different style of guiding people that can affect the ones receiving the guidance, which can change their life in different ways such as giving them hope to do something better and by helping them to learn to solve their own problems. Therefore, mentoring styles will help the person to choose a right path and encourage them to follow a right path. Mentoring styles affect others to understand yourselves in a better way than before.
Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ” (New International Version). Werdel, Dy-liacco, Ciarrochi, Wicks, & Breslford (2014) state that “religiosity and spirituality are multidimensional variables that incorporate cognitions, sentiments, and behaviors including both positive and negative aspects of an individual’s relationship with the Divine”. One’s spiritual journey is not likened to a one dimensional flat line, but a line that has peaks and valleys along the way. Majerus and Sandage (2010) believe that “maturity is a developmental and teleological theme in Christian spirituality and is described throughout Scripture”. To understand spiritual maturity one needs to look toward Scripture and to investigate what God has planned for His children. Spiritual maturity is a process with the end goal of becoming likened to the
When Jesus called His disciples, His invitation was simple. He invited them to follow Him. The same is true today. In Matthew 28, Jesus gave His last charge to His disciples, and the charge was simple. He called his followers to go and make disciples. Much effort has been placed by Christians to fulfill this charge, commonly referred to as the Great Commission. Jesus chose to fulfill the implementation of the New Covenant through 12 men who He called, appointed, and commissioned, and he only had a few short years to prepare them for the task (Willson, 1990). His methods were unconventional and were revolutionary for that time. His disciples were to be trained extensively by Jesus, living with Him for three years prior to His ascension. He taught about servant leadership and its meaning for both the leader and follower Matt. 20:25-28). From the beginning, Jesus put in place a careful plan, and an examination of His actions in the Gospels showed that Jesus left behind the pattern to be replicated. His methods, which included the incorporation of three different levels of discipleship, included His interaction with Peter, His closest three (Peter, James, and John), and finally the group of 12. This paper identified and analyzed the three levels of discipleship Jesus modeled, these discipleship methods were then measured against modern leadership theories, and Jesus’s level of involvement and interaction with his disciples were critiqued in light of these modern theories in an effort to determine the effectiveness of this approach.