Lausanne World Pulse – LAUSANNE REPORTS – Mentoring Young Women Leaders in the Lausanne Women’s Network
By Robyn Claydon
June / July 2011
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Sometimes when we begin a ministry, that ministry evolves in ways we never expected. When I became the Lausanne Senior Associate for Women in World Evangelization (a mouthful whenever I am introduced!), my aim was to build up a network of Christian women around the world and encourage them in their ministries. I was willing to speak at conferences, preach in churches, speak at evangelistic meetings, lead Bible studies, take seminars on Christian leadership and generally encourage Christian women to share the gospel with both those around them and in the wider world. I started this women’s network after Lausanne II (Manila, 1989) and since then have been encouraged as I have traveled to over fifty countries and met many wonderfully gifted women who are using their gifts and opportunities in world evangelization.
Two of my aims include: (1) identifying, encouraging, challenging, training and mobilizing women for the task of evangelism and (2) putting women from one part of the world in touch with like-minded women in other countries. This has resulted in women being invited to minister in another part of the world and thus gifts and enthusiasm for the gospel have been shared.
One aspect of my ministry I had not initially considered has been the mentoring of young Christian women leaders. As I have traveled I have met many outstanding young women who are passionate about sharing the gospel and who are seeking ways to use the special gifts God has given them. Some of these young women have opportunities in their own country and in their own church to share the gospel; others are limited in the expression of their gifts. I have been able to both encourage them to use whatever opportunities they already have—no matter how limited—and to network them with young women in other countries. This has meant organizing regional conferences so that young Christian women leaders can meet each other, be encouraged themselves and encourage each other.
One such conference was in Berlin in 2000 when young women from different countries met for a conference with older women mentors who had many years of ministry experience. This was a most stimulating time and as a result, most of the women have kept in touch with me and with each other. In some cases they have invited each other to come to their country and minister there. A consequence of this is that women have felt more empowered, encouraged, challenged and motivated to seek in a fresh way God’s leading for their future.
Mentoring is a privilege for those who can come alongside another person, usually someone younger, and have intentional input into their lives. Christian mentoring is an awesome responsibility. It is also one of the great joys of ministry to see someone else develop his or her gifts and move toward using those gifts for the kingdom of God.
The word “mentor” comes from the story of Ulysses who, as he set off for the Trojan wars, appointed someone to care for his son, Telemachaus. This person was to educate and guide the boy, listen to his dreams, give wise counsel and stand alongside him as he grew to manhood. The man’s name was “Mentor.”