Getting Started
A Christian leader’s fruitfulness in ministry is the byproduct
of responding in faith to the call of God on his or her life. With such an understanding,
this system is designed as a guidebook of activities to be followed by a leader-in-training
and his or her mentor. This manual provides an explanation of key developmental
values and exercises, as well as suggestions for further reading and study,
to be worked through and reviewed with the mentor.
In the developmental process of equipping effective
leadership for the Church, a balanced approach to growth is important. In fact,
to concentrate too heavily on study alone (Knowing) and neglect character growth
(Being) produces the potential for a leader with head knowledge alone and weak
character. Likewise, to focus exclusively on skills development (Doing), without
disciplined study and learning to think deeply (Knowing), can produce an ineffective
leader who is busy doing ministry without sound wisdom and understanding to
teach and lead others. Therefore, the mentor and mentoree should be working
together simultaneously on growth areas that deal with character (Being), ministry
skills (Doing), and the mind or cognitive development (Knowing). This “Being
– Doing – Knowing” approach to leadership development is foundational
to the methodology of Growing Christian Leaders.
The mentor will evaluate and determine the development exercises
and activities which will be most helpful for the leader in training. The program
includes various activities divided sections designed to provide a path for
development, yet provide the flexibility to allow the learner to focus on particular
areas of growth. Developmental Exercises are segmented into Units in Section
3. Completion of these units will take 12 to 18 months, or whatever timeframe
is deemed appropriate by this partnership in spiritual leadership development.
Journaling is a key element in this system. As each of the development
steps are reported in a journal entry the work of the Lord in the developing
leader’s life will also be recorded. The mentor will review the mentoree’s
experiences and share lessons learned in his or her own life and ministry experience.
If you are keeping a separate journal, it will be helpful to record the journal
entry date next to the corresponding exercises in this guide so that the journaling
can be easily located for future reference.
In addition to the exercises and opportunities for personal reflection,
there is an Evaluation of Spiritual Experiences and Understanding. After several
mentor meetings, this evaluation may be used to gauge how far the mentoree has
progressed in his or her development as a Christian leader. This section should
be visited, revisited and updated periodically to evaluate progress during the
ongoing training process.
It is also understood that any Christian Leader must be a student
of the Bible, God’s Holy Word. The studies and cognitive learning that
takes place in this system are intended to augment and galvanize the teachings
of the Word of God.
Mentoring is a modern word for shepherding or discipling. The
English definition of disciple, according to Webster’s Dictionary, is
“a person who believes in and helps disseminate the teaching of a master.” Vines Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words says that a disciple
is a “learner,” from the Greek “mathesis”,
indicating thought accompanied by endeavor. It means one who actively follows
a teacher. A disciple is not only a pupil, but also an adherent, or an imitator
of the teacher.
As Christians we are disciples of Jesus Christ. In John 8:31-32,
Jesus says, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.
Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Jesus
also said, “This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit,
showing yourselves to be my disciples.” (John 15:8)
The Gospels use the Greek word “akoloutheo”
which means, “one going in the same way.” This word appears 77 times
in the New Testament to describe discipleship. If we are disciples of Jesus
Christ, we are imitators or followers of Him.
In the mentoring relationship, it is critical that the mentor
be a model for the mentoree. Following the example of Christ, the mentor will
share in the experience of Being – Doing – Knowing with the leader
in training. Since a disciple is an imitator, the process of Growing Christian
Leaders must be a shared experience.
