Mastering Teaching

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Mentoring is the flip side of the pastor's public roles of teacher, prophet, and priest.
—Earl Palmer

I remember hearing some great sermons as a youth. I recall attending some outstanding lectures at Princeton Seminary. I've been to conferences that moved me deeply. But the most important influence on my Christian life has been individuals who have mentored me.

Bob Munger, my pastor in my college days, took time to listen to me. Lynn Bolick, a classmate in seminary, helped me think through my ideas. Dale Brunner, a colleague who, when we happened to be serving Christian institutions in Manila at the same time, was a great source of encouragement.

As one who spends most of his days preaching, teaching, and administrating a church, I know the value of congregational work. But ministry to me would be pointless if, at the same time, I wasn't trying to mentor people as others have mentored me. For it's a one-on-one teaching relationship that can make the most difference.

The problem is we don't receive a lot of formal training in mentoring. Leading worship, yes. Preaching and teaching, yes. Administration and pastoral care, yes. But help in mentoring others? Not likely.

Over the years, I've reflected a lot on how others have mentored me, and I have done my share of mentoring as well. I've concluded that mentoring is the flip side of the pastor's public roles of teacher, prophet, and priest: the mentor helps the person mentored discover the truth, follow Christ's way, and know God's comfort.

Here are a few ways, then, in which I minister to individuals in my role as mentor.

Some Christians never gain confidence in their own thoughts. They never get on with their own life because they're tied too closely to some powerful ...

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