Tips on Mentoring, Part One

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Ecclesiastes 4:9 & 10, NIV

We often hear that we shoud 'be a coach,' or 'mentor others.' The following three practical tips on mentoring the children in your ministry may seem simple, but can have an immense impact.

TIME

Take the time you normally eat, shop, or work on a project and spend it doing those things, only do them with your protege. Whether you are working on an Easter musical backdrop, picking up supplies for V.B.S., or cleaning out the ministry's storage cabinet, there is a child that needs your input into his or her life. Invite him or her to come and lend a hand. Make the time fun as well as productive. You'll find that things generally get done faster, there is less stress involved, and you have created the opportunity to influence someone for life. Simply put: spend time with your protege on a regular basis.

When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. Acts 4:13, NIV

In church work, we sometimes feel pressed for time, overwhelmed by deadlines, and even frustrated by a mass-ministry approach. A creative use of time will allow you the opportunity to pour into the life of a young person in a significant way. When you plan your next project or event, try coming up with ways to include the mentoring approach. You and your protege will both be glad you did.

FOCUS

Once you have created the opportunity to spend time with a young life, the next step is to focus on the child. Ask questions about his or her life – his or her dreams, desires, concerns, loves, family members, pets, activities, etc. Show an interest in the person you are with. Only with your genuine outpouring of friendliness and concern will you be able to reap the benefits of the time you have together.

NON-CONDEMNING CONVERSATION

What do you like to hear from others? Maybe how much better they are than you? Or how poorly you performed in a situation? Maybe you'd like them to criticize your hair, clothes, family or friends. If you are like most people, you probably avoid spending a great deal of time with someone who likes to focus on the negative. People like to hear good things about themselves. As a mentor, be careful in your speech. Find reasons to often offer praise to the child in your care. Search for topics you can agree on, and capitalize on those. Let your words be encouraging. Just as a plant thrives when given the nutrients it needs, your young ward will flourish as you supply the positive attention he or she craves.

Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. Proverb 16:24, NIV

Aaron's Answer: Press In and Press On

Are you being tempted to allow stress, frustration, weariness or apathy rule your outlook and reactions? We can look to Aaron as our example and respond by pressing in to the Almighty and then pressing on in the blessing of His strength.

The ministry can be challenging even in the best of times. The additional activities and stress brought on by the holidays and the New Year can take its toll, causing even seasoned ministers to suffer. But consider Numbers 16:41-50, and Aaron’s Answer to the stress of ministry.

But on the day after, all the children of Israel made an outcry against Moses and against Aaron, saying, You have put to death the Lord's people. Now when the people had come together against Moses and Aaron, looking in the direction of the Tent of meeting, they saw the cloud covering it, and the glory of the Lord came before their eyes. Then Moses and Aaron came to the front of the Tent of meeting. And the Lord said to Moses, come out from among this people, so that I may send sudden destruction on them. And they [Moses and Aaron] went down on their faces. And Moses said to Aaron, Take your vessel and put in it fire from the altar, and sweet spices, and take it quickly into the meeting of the people, and make them free from sin: for wrath has gone out from the Lord, and the disease is starting.

And at the words of Moses, Aaron took his vessel, and went running among the people; and even then the disease had made a start among them; and he put spices in his vessel to take away the sin of the people. And he took his place between the dead and the living: and the disease was stopped. Now fourteen thousand, seven hundred deaths were caused by that disease, in addition to those who came to their end because of what Korah had done. Then Aaron went back to Moses to the door of the Tent of meeting: and the disease came to a stop. (Nu 16:41-50, Bible in Basic English)

When the people were grumbling and complaining, when they did not want to acknowledge Aaron’s rightful leadership, when they had accused him of killing the people of God, Aaron did not give in to his first impulse. Did Aaron, as human as the rest of us, respond to the people in anger or in hurt or with a vengeful glee at God’s judgment? No. Instead, he (and Moses) turned toward the tabernacle and stretched out face first before God. There he received direction from the Lord. He pressed in to God to receive Divine direction.

Once God’s plan was revealed, what did Aaron do? He did not hesitate. He did not move slowly, nor did he move at a normal pace. Carrying the equipment he needed and, at 80-plus-years-old, he ran to do God’s work. Aaron hurried through the crowd. He pressed on to do his part.

Was God’s plan complex or difficult? No, it was simple and easy. When we are overwhelmed by the demands of our schedule, frustrated by pressures from without and within, Aaron’s Answer is also our solution. Aaron’s Answer is two-fold. First, press in to God to receive His direction for the situation, the trial, or the problem. Second, press on and carry out His plan. And He will do His part. The results will be astounding, supernatural, and perfect.