Lausanne World Pulse – WORLD PERSPECTIVES – Developing Emerging Leaders Through Mentoring

By Steve Irvin

The massive shift of the Christian center of gravity from the North and West to the southern and eastern regions of the globe has been fueled by explosive church growth in many countries of Africa, Asia and Latin America. Increased numbers of converts and of local churches has not resulted, however, in a corresponding increase of competent and Christ-like leaders. At the 2004 Forum for World Evangelization, the Lausanne Issue Group on Future Leadership called for a movement on every continent to develop emerging leaders to meet this pressing need.

Formal educational models cannot possibly keep pace with the leadership needs of the burgeoning Church of the southern hemisphere. One strategy for developing emerging leaders in an informal setting is mentoring. A mentor can be described as a person who intentionally seeks to facilitate the spiritual and ministerial growth of another individual. Mentors come alongside mentees to help them achieve God’s purposes for their lives. The mentoring relationship that results can bring benefits to both mentor and mentee, even as it serves as a catalyst for leadership development.

Scriptural Basis for Mentoring
A Colombian friend of mine with a vision for developing emerging leaders through mentoring gives a concise definition of mentoring when he is queried about it. He just responds, “Mentoring is discipleship the way Jesus did it.” What he means is that it is relational, transmits knowledge in the context of life experience and is focused on God’s purposes in following Christ. While written materials can be of benefit, mentoring is not about going through a book. The example of Jesus as a mentor is one of intentionality and focuses on individuals in order to see them grow in godliness, in effective ministry and in leadership. It is a model of servant leadership and sacrificial love that seeks to guide individuals into a deeper knowledge of God and a deeper understanding of God’s purposes in the world, even as it empowers them to fulfill those purposes.

When Jesus ascended into heaven he did not leave the disciples orphaned and alone. He sent the comforter, the Holy Spirit. Jesus called the Holy Spirit in John 14:26 the paraclete, or “one who is called to someone’s aid.” Paraclete is translated differently in modern versions as “comforter,” “helper” or “counselor.” The Holy Spirit teaches believers and guides them into truth (John 16:13). In the same way, mentors help, counsel and guide mentees in their pilgrimage in life and ministry, always bearing witness of Christ (John 15:26) so that the mentee grows in relationship with the Lord.

One can see mentoring principles in other biblical contexts. For example, Moses seems to mentor Joshua to succeed him as leader of Israel. Elisha was the mentee of Elijah. Paul’s writings indicate his mentoring of his missionary colleagues, Titus and Timothy. Even Paul himself was mentored by Barnabas, who stood by him and sponsored him before the apostles. Barnabas opened doors for Paul in ministry that the Lord used to spread the gospel throughout the Roman Empire. These biblical examples give us insight both to the importance and to the practice of mentoring in the kingdom of God.

The Mentor’s Heart
Mentors are not perfect. Some people may hesitate to mentor an emerging leader because they feel inadequate. Mentors are models for their mentees, and any human model is fallible. But the mentor’s transparency will help the mentee to deal with his or her own struggles. Mentors need to be authentic God-seekers and Christ-followers who are willing to help others in their own development.