Mentor and coaching

Recently the church I used to attend is going through some difficult times. Four pastors are gone, two leaders resigned, and half of the families are gone. I was being put into a difficult situation that I was the only leader left. Lots of conflicts and misunderstood by people around me, and leaving me into a stressful state. Couple of times I cried in my office, and even dropping my tears for nearly two hours in my boss’ house. In short, I still want to give thanks to God because I have couple of good mentors around me and support me going through this difficult time.

Every church, workplace requires mentorship. Among lots of Chinese churches, the term mentor is not commonly performed. As young Christians, we faced challenges like this day by day, and without any spiritual mentor around me, I really not sure how I become today.

Last week I shared to my worship team about mentorship. I did spend years on this team, and in particular would like to disciple them in ministry. So I honestly told them everything I knew, and everything that I don’t know. Rather than focusing on the problems in the church, I shared with them how we, ourselves, can actually become stronger in faith and spiritually healthy in Christ.

1. Find a spiritual partner
Someone from the same gender and similar age with you, somebody that you can always share ups and downs, tears and joy. It seems easy, but indeed not everyone you know can be in this role. I did pray for a year and seek for one. God gives me the best spiritual partner ever. She allows me to cry ages and ages, sharing the burden we have, and more importantly being able to grow together.

Better find someone that not in the same church with you, no conflicts and can share everything you involved in ministry. Remember, not everyone you think and you know can be the one. Pray for it, and seek for it. God will let you know who he/she is.

2. Find a spiritual mentor(s)
The reason I put a “s” as you can have more than one depends on situation. Spiritual mentor technically doesn’t have to be a pastor. Honestly, pastor may not be free to be your mentor too! (You know pastors are busy on their schedule as everyone will find them)

Spiritual mentor is someone older than you. Because they have more experience in their life and able to guide you when things are a bit blur for you. I used to have a spiritual mentor, my senior pastor was doing a fantastic job. He showed me how he works, how he pastoral care people, what’s the vision in church and ministry. He even sent me to bible college to study, so that I can become a stronger Christian. My managers (they are a couple) are spiritual mentor for me. They listen to my crying for two hours, show me the big vision, more importantly, they put God at the first place. They showed me how to seek His Kingdom first rather seeking our own interest. They give me authority to try things in ministries, and support me to go even further, dreaming crazier for God.

Every single Christian needs a mentor, a mentor that hear our voices, a mentor that can provide spiritual support and guidance.

3. Find your channel to connect to God
One devotion a day, one sermon per week, one worship session on Sundays are not good enough. I understand and know the frustration, when you know something goes wrong in your spiritual life and don’t know what to do with it! When you want to seek His word and hunger for the message, and literally it’s not yet Sunday!

I encourage my team members to go further more, find a proper channel to connect to God. He is the source of our strength, the source of hope, and sources of peace. Without him, we are nothing. We have to find a way to build a better foundation on our spiritual life. This is the most important, and yet the most common thing that people ignore on.

When I was studying in bible college, the days that I studies were what I was looking forward to. Every Sunday I was so busy on ministries that I can’t even sit still and concentrate on message. However, when I was in bible college, I got nothing to do besides sitting there and get feed by the word of God. Now I tried to attend other worship services or even read a lot of books in order to put myself focus on His Word. SOAK it! This is what I encourage my team, find a way to SOAK into God’s words. Don’t wait until you get burnt out!

I hope this passage can be an encouragement to you, live a spiritually healthy life. Enjoy the life that God created you for.