LIBERTY BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

Mentor Interviews

A PAPER SUBMITTED TO DR. DANN AUSTIN OF THE LIBERTY THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS CLED 510

BY PAUL J LIMATO 111

NORFOLK, VA FEBRUARY 2013

Introduction The word mentor is defined as a wise and trusted counselor or teacher. Although mentoring doesnt appear in the Bible, Scripture does give us numerous examples of mentoring. Moses was engaged effectively in a mentoring relationship, by his father-in-law Jethro, not only as a son-in-law but also as a leader (Exodus 18). The mentoring relationship between Eli and Samuel prepared Samuel for the tasks and responsibilities that were his after Elis death (1 Samuel 14). Jesus mentored His disciples (Luke 9), and both Barnabas and Paul excelled in mentoring (Acts 915). Jesus made His style of mentoring clear: He led so that we can follow. He said, If anyone will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me (Matthew 16:24-26). Because He is our leader and we are to follow Him, Christian mentoring is a process dependent upon submission to Christ. Neither the mentor nor the candidate controls the relationship. The process of mentoring is characterized by mutual sharing, trust, and enrichment as the life and work of both participants is changed. The mentor serves as a model and a trusted listener. The mentor relies on the Holy Spirit to provide insight, change lives, and teach through the modeling process. The Apostle Paul spelled out mentoring as his leadership model very simply. Follow my example as I follow the example of Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1). Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in meput it into practice (Philippians 4:9). In essence, he is saying, Let me mentor you. Let me be your role model. He reminds the new Christians at Thessalonica to follow our example (2 Thessalonians 3:7). Example. Teach. Model. These are all facets of mentoring, which are indispensable

in developing fully devoted followers of Jesus and in transmitting the faith from one generation to the next. It goes without saying that if mentors expect others to follow their example; they must be wholeheartedly committed to following Christ. Any hint of hypocrisydo what I say, not what I dowill be detrimental to both the mentor and his charge.

Not only Jesus and the apostles, but elders in the local church also do their work by mentoring. Peter commands, Be examples to the flock (1 Peter 5:3), and Paul explains to the elders at Ephesus, You know how I lived the whole time I was with you (Acts 20:17). In other words, Paul is telling the elders, I showed you, now you show them. In all truth, if a Christian leader is not mentoring someone, to that degree he or she is not living up to his or her calling. Of course, God has filled the body of Christ with many potential mentors besides those who are named as elders or shepherds. The official church leaders cannot personally meet all the mentoring needs of everyone. While it may not be possible for shepherds to personally, intentionally, hands-on mentor each sheep that needs mentoring, they are to help these needy sheep find godly mentors. To provide for the mentoring needs of their local community of faith, the leaders must be intentional, continually expanding the circle of mentors by equipping others to mentor.

Compare and contrast Jason Roberts: Mentor, Pastor of Crosscurrent Church in Virginia Beach Jason Roberts is the founding pastor of Crosscurrent Church in Virginia Beach. Jason served a Young Life director as well as on staff at Spanish River Church in Florida prior to planting Crosscurrent. He is a church planting coach within the Acts 29 Church

Planting Network. He mentors church planters and assists them with becoming effective leaders and church planters.

Clint Clifton: Mentor, Pastor of Pillar Church in Dumfries, Va. and NAMB employee Clint Clifton is the founding pastor of Pillar Church. Clint served as a church planter and associate pastor at several churches in the Southeast before planting Pillar Church. Clint holds a B.A. from The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville, FL and an M.A. from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary in Lynchburg, VA. Clint oversees the church planting efforts of Pillar Church and serves as the director of Send DC, the North American Mission Boards effort to start new churches major in North American cities.

Style: Jason Roberts style of mentoring is more on the basis of relationships within the Acts 29 Network while Clint Cliftons style of mentoring is more on the basis of raising up church planters within his church. Both of these men have influence in a broad sense through larger networks such as the North American Mission Board and the Acts 29 Church Planting Network. Clints process of mentoring is more formal in that he has an identified process for mentoring within his own church whereas Jason Roberts relies on a more relational approach. Both are very involved in the lives of those they are mentoring through regular and consistent conversation, accountability, and evaluation.

Approach: Clint Cliftons approach to mentoring church planters is more of a process of discipleship. Clint mentions, that everyone who knows Jesus should be involved in church planting. Once that relationship has been birth, I then begin "pouring" into the mentee the understanding gained over the years as a result of walking with the Lord through church planting. This pouring into includes life experiences, doctrinal truths as well as "Life on Life" interaction and giving them opportunities to be involved in various aspects of church planting. Theologically, this is called discipling. Discipling is the most likely candidate as an equivalent to Christian Mentoring if it is properly understood as potentially holistic (training in knowledge, skills, character and relating), integrated and as a lifelong process. Discipleship, rightly understood as a lifelong, holistic process of teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you (Matt 28.20) in essence, is Christian mentorship. Jason Roberts approach to mentoring church planters is more relational although it does have a aspect of discipleship. Rather than the relationship being birthed more organically, like Clint, Jasons are more from a network level. Both men seemed to be driven by the spirit, whom leads them to worship and work within their ministries. Both Jason and Clint use the positions that they have to follow the Spirits calling on their lives to see the gospel spread through the planting of churches through the men that they mentor. There is no question of the importance of church planting throughout the pages of Scripture. Observation: One of the things that I noticed with both interviewers is that mentorship can be anywhere. Neither of these men allow distance (miles) to create distance in their

mentoring relationships. Both Men use their influences in the larger networks to expand their mentoring opportunities. The bottom line for both of these men is seeing more gospel-centered churches planted both here in the United States and around the world. Jason Roberts mentoring relationships are more from the Acts 29 network while Clint Cliftons are from raising up men from within his own church.

Conclusion

What Can Be Learned From the Interviews?

Being a mentor/minister means practicing what you preach: Mentoring is not a way to meet your needs for significance, but to walk with others as they grow and become like Christ. Your goal as a mentor should never be to shape your mentees into your image, but to encourage them to bear Gods image more fully. The picture of the Christian life being a journey or pathway is an often used metaphor. The phrase, Walk the walk, dont just talk the talk, while good advice, is quoted so widely it has almost become clichd. However, Jesus earliest disciples were known as followers of The Way (Acts 22:4) and the Apostle Paul encouraged the Corinthian church to imitate his way of life in Christ (1 Corinthians 4:14-16). The idea of Christians being fellow travellers is not unknown in the mentoring context. These men certainly practice what they preach. They are both convinced the best way to engage in the Great Commission is planting churches and they are both doing that and influencing others through mentoring.

God brings about change: Mentoring is not your opportunity to implement your agenda in the life of another person. It is your opportunity to walk with another person as God

shapes him into His image. From a biblical standpoint, in the opening chapters of Mark the disciples are called to follow Jesus (1:17, 20; 2:14). Just as the call implied intention so the idea of following implies association, including association in Jesus ministry (v.17). This early signal that being a disciple of Jesus would involve physical proximity and association is made explicit in the calling of twelve to be with him (3:14). Mentoring generally involves meeting face-to face, one-on-one, and often the mentee may shadow a mentor learning through observation. When the mentee observe how Christ has changed the mentors life, the mentee can hopefully start to transition his/her own life.

Leaders take responsibility: Both the mentor and mentee should take responsibility to meet on time, be prepared, and commit to growth. Ask your mentee to take responsibility for contacting you, changing meeting times, and setting goals for the relationship.

Put simply, a Christian mentor is a brain to pick, an ear to listen, a heart to care and a life to watch. I can think of many people who invested, and continue to invest, their lives in mine in order to see me grow as a Christian and as a servant of Christ. The challenge for those who have been on the Christian journey for a while is begin to share their life lessons with the next generation. Experience has shown that its rewards are greater than its costs! Reach out to others, both saved and unsaved and share your life as a living example, just as Christ did for each of us.

Appendices

Interview Response: Jason Roberts Who initiated the mentoring relationship? Mentor or the Mentee? I am in the mentoring role. As a coach within the Acts 29 network, I have the privilege of coaching church planters. Through the Acts 29 network, I am able select who I would like to mentor. Currently I am mentoring a couple of men that are planting churches in the United Kingdom. Acts 29 West is beginning to be established and so I am able to assist this new church planting movement by mentoring a couple of men that are planting churches. When and where do you meet? Every two weeks, via skype and two times per year in person How is the time spent? (format, accountability confidentiality, evaluation, closure) The time is mostly conversational and is for accountability as a leader. Once a year the time is spent in evaluation of church planting and how the ministry is going and how effective it is. What is the most difficult aspect of the relationship? Skype has its challenges in that it is not in person, but it is also amazing in that you can mentor and be mentored literally from the other side of the world. Also, It can be challenging to mentor guys in a different cultural context. Most significant result of the relationship? Seeing the life and influence of the church planter change in a way that he wants to be involved in church planting and seeing their leadership grow. Also, seeing the changes of his actions and attitudes towards leading his family and his own life as a leader. Anytime you can see the gospel work expanded through the planting of churches all the challenges are worth it.

Interview Response: Clint Clifton Who initiated the mentoring relationship? Mentor or the Mentee? I, mentor initiates the relationship in accordance with the command of the "Great Commission" given by the Lord Jesus in Matthew 28:19-20. Once that relationship has been birth, I then began "pouring" into the mentee the understanding gained over the years as a result of walking with the Lord. This pouring into includes life experiences, doctrinal truths as well as "Life on Life" interaction. Theologically, this is called "Discipling". I believe that the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) is a call to start new churches. For that reason, a tremendous amount of our efforts and resources go into the establishment of new churches and the training up of pastors and church planters. The majority of our church planters come from our congregation but we also offer a training program to help prepare qualified men for the Gospel ministry. When and where do you meet? We meet once per month with all of our Pillar Church Planters. I meet with the church meet once per month in person and once per month via skype. How is the time spent? (format, accountability confidentiality, evaluation, closure) The time is spent in leadership training which includes a specific topic each month. Accountability is very important. We discuss the struggles that may be present in their life, and certain things are implemented to avoid walking into compromising situations as well as accountability in leading their families well in ministry. It is totally confidential as long as the Mentor does not feel that further assistance is not needed to minister to the need of the mentee. The mentee will be informed prior to the additional involvement of another. Evaluation of the planters happens annually. Most difficult aspect of the relationship? One difficulty is Time The responsibility of Work, family, ministry, and the unexpected things in life seek to hinder the quantity of time spent, so there must be a conscious focus on the quality of time spent. Most significant result of the relationship? Seeing churches plant churches.