Stewardship, Mentoring and Us

God requires from all of us that we be good stewards. (Faithful in the small things)

While it is required that leaders are good stewards of those around them it is also required of the follower that they allow that stewardship to happen Luke 2:52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature and in favour with God and man.

Hebrews 13:17 Obey your spiritual leaders and submit to them [continually recognizing their authority over you],

Authority comes from taking responsibility

All are equal in the eyes of the Lord, but we all have different responsibilities, callings and accountabilities (what you submit to).

The leaders are responsible and accountable for you reaching your destiny and growing in the things of God.

Mentoring is like parenting – enabling us to grow or increase in wisdom, stature and favour with God and man.

…for they are constantly keeping watch over your souls and guarding your spiritual welfare, as men who will have to render an account [of their trust]. [Do your part to] let them do this with gladness and not with sighing and groaning, for that would not be profitable to you [either].

1Th 5:11 Therefore encourage (admonish, exhort) one another and edify (strengthen and build up) one another, just as you are doing. 1Th 5:12 Now also we beseech you, brethren, get to know those who labour among you [recognize them for what they are, acknowledge and appreciate and respect them all]--your leaders who are over you in the Lord and those who warn and kindly reprove and exhort you. 1Th 5:13 And hold them in very high and most affectionate esteem in [intelligent and sympathetic] appreciation of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. 1Th 5:14 And we earnestly beseech you, brethren, admonish (warn and seriously advise) those who are out of line [the loafers, the disorderly, and the unruly]; encourage the timid and fainthearted, help and give your support to the weak souls, [and] be very patient with everybody [always keeping your temper]. [Isa. 35:4.]

Last week Pastor Chris was talking about discipleship and the fact that we are to be a disciple and be one who disciples.

The purpose of the church:

The church has been established with a function and purpose.

To take people to their God given destiny.

To show who God is through His nature and character being manifest.

To feed, train, support, encourage, guide, love, nurture, fellowship and be a supportive, functional family.

Our destiny is tied up in the local church or the house of God. This is where God will develop us for the work of ministry and the destiny that He has for us.

To get people saved

Taught

Trained

Loved

Equipped

Put on the path of their destiny

God has established a team in the church as well as hands on training program.

The purpose of the Five Fold Ministry:

To teach and train the Saints for the work of the ministry

To hear the voice and direction of God and relay it to the people

To take and lay out the vision that God has given and show the people how to achieve it

The purpose of the people:

To find and fulfil their destiny

To do the work of ministry (meeting the needs of the people)

Allow themselves to be taught and trained (through service in ministry)

To make church work (to fulfil it’s mission)

The church is often the second place that people (world) have an opportunity to meet God or see God. (You are 1st)

The major function of the Pastor is to keep the church healthy. (Healthy things grow)

Servant hood is an attitude followed by an action of investment that reaches beyond a focus on self.

Let’s look at this attitude in action and see who the mentor is, then think about how he served (David)

1Sa 14:6 And Jonathan said to the young man who bore his armor, Come, and let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised ones. It may be that Jehovah will work for us. For there is no restraint to Jehovah, to save by many or by few. 1Sa 14:7 And his armor-bearer said to him, Do all that is in your heart. Turn, for behold, I am with you according to your heart.

Mentors

Guide – Counsellor – Instructor – Monitor

To often in the church we hear the same thing over again “Where are the Fathers” The truth is if we have not been fathered then often it is difficult to know how to father.

We can be mentored (fathered) intentionally or unintentionally. Watching, observing and copying is the best way to be mentored, with the person speaking into, guiding and correcting as you go. (Assuming they are aware of the mentoring process) For this we must stay teachable, be obedient, trust and respond!

Heb 13:7 Remember those leading you, who have spoken to you the Word of God, whose faith follow, considering the end of their conduct:

God uses people:

It is not only God (speaking down through a cloud) who talks into our lives and guides us, most often He uses the people He has put around us to instruct us and grow us. Eph 4:11

Each one of us should live a life worthy of the call, because we are all being watched by someone all the time. Every person (teaching) should live a life worthy of following. 1Ti 4:12 Let no one despise or think less of you because of your youth, but be an example (pattern) for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity.

We need to watch what they are teaching us – What we are learning from those we have chosen to mentor us.

Many people say all the right words but it’s the spirit of the person that we really receive from not always the words they say.

People often say to me that I can correct people or say things that would often cause offence to others but I can get away with it. The reason is the spirit of love and care that it is said in.

Submission to the Leaders:

Submission is not always a very popular subject, however if we are careful what or who we submit to then it will grow and increase us. Many say they are submitted but really they are operating under their own agenda.

Any person who is genuinely submitted into the church will always build the church not their own following. People will love and respect them, will follow their leadership but will still be focused on the main event (Church)

Some practical guidelines re Mentoring:

A mentor needs to be above you so they can lift you to the next level. (Further up the road you are called to go, not necessarily in every area of life)

A mentor needs to be where we are called to go (peers inspire).

A mentor must be balanced. All areas of their life

They need to be strong. Strength of character etc!

They need to be dependable and reliable (Consistent)

They must be positive. Positive confession – faith filled.

Exodus 18:7 Moses, the biggest ministry in town, yet he allowed his father in law to help raise him up to a different level.

Moses

Was humble (pride can stop the blessing)

v.8 He was transparent (told good and difficult)

v.24 He was teachable (did what he was taught)

Jethro

Was an outstanding mentor

His qualities:

Jethro was successful vs.1 – He was seasoned and experienced. Get around successful people. Success is contagious.

Jethro was a busy person. vs. 7 & 27 – Anyone who has enough time to spend a long time with you is probably not the person you want. v.27 Moses let Jethro go when he had received his instruction. We should watch and observe, not just expect instruction one on one always. It is actually possible that the people who affect you the most you never actually meet them.

Jethro was Positive V.9 Jethro rejoiced for all the good – Focus on positive people.

Jethro was a Spiritual man v.10 – a Godly man

Jethro monitored Moses v.13 Questioned what he was doing – He assessed Moses

Jethro was direct v.17 A strong voice

Jethro was a clear voice v.13 He spoke directly into the problem Ps1:1 Not all ungodly voices come from ungodly people. If you don’t want to be sitting in it, don’t walk near it.

Jethro brought counsel and instruction v.19

Jethro cared v.23 Be careful you don’t open your life to someone who only cares about their own agenda.

3 Things You Should Do:

PRAY – Be in the Spirit – believe God

POSITION – Position yourself to be mentored. Be where they are. Buy their tapes. Right place at right time

PERSPECTIVE Know what mentoring is.

Qualities of Successful Mentors

Ability to teach or facilitate learning

Good contacts

Willing to show experience/knowledge

Expert

Intelligent

Ability to give advice then withdraw

Wisdom

Generous

Successful

Discrete

Committed to development of young people

Good judgment

Good listener

Able to build confidence

Enthusiastic / Positive / Active

Patient

Direct

High standards

Supportive

Plants ideas

Good communicator

Functions of Mentors

Teacher, coach, trainer

A positive role model or example

Developed my talents through job assignments

Opened door for me

A protector, learn without risking my job

A sponsor, visibility

Counsel, moral support under stress

Confidence in me; made me confident

Went into bat for me, fought for me

Bypassed red tape, inside information, short-cuts

Reflected power

Supported my dreams, believed in me

Provided me with negative feedback

Mentors can be compared to the tall canopy trees in the rainforest. They feed from their environment, through their strong, deep, wide-ranging roots; but they don't just take, they give, by providing shelter and nutrition, to the smaller plants, enriching the environment in which they live. As people receive the benefits of mentoring they grow and achieve. They also develop roots in their organisations and begin to mentor other achievers.

Trevor Loveday, 30/07/2006