I was thinking this morning about how much I enjoy Infuse…I am also noticing several other individuals are starting coaching/mentoring programs.  It got me to thinking about the process of being mentored.

It’s no secret (for anyone who has talked to me about Children’s Ministry for more than 5 minutes) that I learn a lot from Bro. Jim.  Even before Infuse I had been learning from him for years via conferences, books, and The Club; but mentoring is different than just information download.  Bro. Jim isn’t the only mentor I have in life – I have a few others.  I learned several years ago the real benefit to having a mentor so I started finding folks who would be good mentors.  So here are some good keys to finding a mentor and being mentored:

1. Realize you need a mentor: I don’t care how long you’ve been doing something – there’s an area in your life where you need to grow.  There’s somebody out there who can help you.  Start looking.
2. A Mentor is not just a Teacher: Lots of people can give you information, but mentoring is as much about the relationship as it is about the information received. If all you’re looking for is info, go to a conference or read a book.
3. Pursue a Mentor: The mentors worth having are folks you’re going to have to pursue. Find someone who is a person you can learn from and ask if they’ll mentor you.
4. Shut Up: If you learn to shut your pie hole and listen you might have a better opportunity to learn something.
5. Be Transparent: Mentoring is about a relationship – so when your mentor asks you a question answer it completely and honestly.  It doesn’t help you in your journey to hold back…how is someone going to help you grow if you aren’t honest?
6. Ask questions: Don’t just wait for someone to tell you something.  Ask questions.  If you don’t have any questions, think harder; because you should have questions.
7. Build a relationship: If you’re transparent, ask questions, and pursue the right individual you should build a relationship with them.  If you’re investing time and money to learn then you should put an effort into relationship.  The two main mentors in my life have gone from mentors to friends and to me that’s a successful relationship.
8. Continue to press in: It easy once things get comfortable to slide into a routine, but as with anything you get out what you put in…put more in effort and you get more out.  Continue to pursue information, relationship and learning and you’ll get more out of the efforts you put in…

This is by no means a definitive list of things to consider – but if you take some of this into mind you can really benefit from being mentored.

“I am so happy to be here!!”  That was the statement I made to my Pastor today after we talked about renting the local coliseum for Easter – it’s so cool to me when I think about it.  We’re renting a 7,000 seat auditorium and doing Easter for the community…

The rest of the team in the room chuckled at me…

In December our church saw a 62% increase in attendance over the previous year.  We did a Christmas Eve Production that saw over 8,000 people come to 3 services.  Sitting in the 3rd production of our Christmas Eve service – I sent my Pastor a text: “I have been a part of several churches – all of them good churches in their own right – but I have never been more proud to be a part of a church than I am right now.”  And it was true – I have never been more proud to be on staff at a church than I am right now…

Some folks scratched their head at my enthusiasm

Over the holidays I did a wedding for 2 of my workers – I was honored to be given the opportunity.

In ministry we have so many opportunities – but I think sometimes people lose sight of what great things we have been given.  I had an extensive conversation with an individual today about what a great church we have. And in that conversation I was reminded how sometimes folks forget what they’ve been given.  They lose sight of the forrest because of the trees…

I’ve been in ministry for 12 years.  My first church was 75 people, I was paid $100 a week, it was a 27 mile drive one way, I spent $60 dollars a week on gas, and I worked 40 hours a week…It was a good church.  I was thankful and honored at the opportunity.  My current ministry position is larger, I’m paid more, I drive less…and I am even more thankful and honored at the opportunity.

I think we need to always be reminded of the honor we are given in ministry.  Are things hard at times?  Do we feel like quitting at times?  Are we placed in a position by God?  Do people trust us with their spiritual lives?  Do people trust us with the Spiritual development of their children?  Yes is the answer to all of these questions – the last 3 are the most important ones…they are what we need to remember.  They are what keep us humbled.  They are what we remember when we get overwhelmed.  They are what we need to remember always.  They help us to keep in mind the honor we have been given.