Call it mentoring, call it discipleship, call it guiding, call it being an example, call it life-coaching - call it whatever you want - but the reality is that we all learn from watching and being led by others. I’ve been thinking about mentoring lately. For the last few years I have gained much joy from being a mentor to others.
By the time you read this column, I will be in Kentucky, leading revival services for a Baptist church outside of Henderson. When I pastored First Baptist Church of Henderson for ten years, I also taught a few college courses across the river in Evansville. Southern Baptist work in Indiana is relatively young, so the state does not have a Baptist college. To help train interested students, the state convention partnered with Oklahoma Baptist University to offer college courses in their major population centers. I served as an adjunct professor and usually taught a course a semester. I have kept up with many of those students over the years.
The revival I will be leading will be at a church where one of my former students is pastor. He impressed me with his zeal and his love of the Lord Jesus. As we have talked about the revival, it is clear that one of the things he wants from me this week is mentoring in his church work. He wants me to evaluate the church and give an experienced opinion of what he and the church should do. This is similar to the way I have learned from Dr. Don Mathis in the two revivals and Capital Funds Campaign he led for our church.
It is fun learning from someone more experienced. It is also fun mentoring someone.
The reason I mention these things to you is that you have served as a mentor to a number of young people as they have grown up through First Baptist Church. Two weeks ago Brian Bridges, who was called into ministry while here, was ordained into the Gospel ministry. FBC has supported the Bridges while in seminary and during the Hurricane Katrina ordeal they underwent.
This Sunday night, another man called into ministry while at First Baptist, Sam Greer, will preach for us. Sam is now in the PhD program at New Orleans Seminary. Aren’t you proud of these two and so many others who were called into ministry from our ranks!
One of the ways we mentor is to encourage others and give them opportunities to serve. This Sunday morning is “Youth Day” in our church. Young people will have the opportunity to teach your Sunday school class and lead in other aspects of worship. Bro. Shannon will preach the morning message. Never miss a chance to pray for and encourage our youth.
Who knows but what your pat on the back, your smile, or your words of encouragement will be just the thing needed to help them along life’s journey for the Lord. After all, He is the chief mentor of us all.
Love in Him, Bill Patterson
Posted on
Thursday, August 21, 2008
by Erica Sutphin