Don’t be a lone ranger! Get a mentor. Get a guide.
The idea of this post comes from the discussion about the visa issue. Be sure and read that exchange.
When I was getting started in the ministry I left a large denominational group and became an independent preacher. Since I really no longer had a pastor I was placed in a situation to make lots of mistakes. Mistakes that I have regretted until today. Mistakes that cost my first church until today. I had no one to talk to or ask what to do. I purchased a building that I should never have purchased. The purchased hindered the growth of the church for 20 years. I was young. I didn’t know better.
I didn’t know how to get a mentor. I didn’t know how to get help.
Many times we are too proud to let others help us but you will never live long enough to make all the mistakes yourself. You can learn from others.
If you are with a mission board you have a field director that should be able to help you since he will understand the visa issue or other cross cultural issues. We all need an outside voice to help us. We all need to be accountable.
There are senior missionaries on the field. They may be younger than you or with a different board but they will have some experiences that you do not have. Learn to listen to others. That does not mean that you need to listen to everything they say but you do need to listen.
Find someone and develop a relationship with them as soon as possible. Go out of your way to seek counsel. You may not always follow the counsel but you will of at least thought about other options.
Questions about church planting, moving money to the country, Bible College, discipleship, etc would all be enhanced if you simply got you a mentor.
October 4, 2007 at 8:04 pm
Amen, Amen, and Amen! I can’t agree enough with this post. I also want to add, “Get the right mentor.” This may be stating the obvious, but make sure your mentor is someone who had experience and success in the area that you are trying to learn and achieve. As they say over here in Northern Ireland, don’t buy a hair growth solution form a bald man. Don’t learn about church planting and missions from a man who has never planted a church, pastored successfully, or done a work for God! They may be sincer, but that does not qualify them to be your mentor.