One of the many blessings God has so graciously given to me over the years is the right mentor in my life at that time. Whether in grade school, middle school, high school, college, grad school, and up to now, there has always seemed to appear someone who has pushed me and challenged me to grow beyond my own self-imposed limitations, and to show me new ways of looking at life. Part of what helps me be who I am is that I stay in touch with almost all of these people on a regular basis, continuing to learn and grow from their life experiences.
I think that far too often in the church, we have strayed away from the idea of growing under the tutelage of other's wisdom and understanding. Last night, the Christian Believer class was studying the empowering of the Holy Spirit, and as we delved deeper into the lesson, it became quite clear that the Holy Spirit works primarily within the community of faith - it is personal, but not at all private. It is only when we come to truly live in community and allow others to feed us and to nurture us that we can truly see depths of the work of the Spirit.
Why write about this today? This time tomorrow, I will be on my way to Canonsburg, PA to have lunch with one of the first mentors I ever had, a fellow United Methodist Elder who first put the idea of pastoral ministry as a career into my head. I haven't seen him in at least 7 or 8 years, and am looking forward not only to visiting with him, but also just taking time to thank him in person for all he did to get me where I am. Imagine if mine was a childhood where mom and dad bought into that naive notion that their children could make up their own minds as to whether or not they would go to church. If my parents had been like so many others I know, who make sure their kids are involved in everything (in the name of making sure they are 'well-rounded') but the church and its activities, I would never have gotten to know this man, and maybe not have wound up in pastoral ministry.
Parents - be sure your children (no matter how young or how old) are in the church and the youth group. You never know who is waiting to mentor them in the faith.
Children - be sure to be a part of all the church's activities - worship, youth, etc. You never know who God has waiting to make a part of your life forever.
Others - be sure to be a part of the life of the church in all areas. You never know who will cross your path needing the mentoring you can provide.
Grace and Peace!
Lamar
I think that far too often in the church, we have strayed away from the idea of growing under the tutelage of other's wisdom and understanding. Last night, the Christian Believer class was studying the empowering of the Holy Spirit, and as we delved deeper into the lesson, it became quite clear that the Holy Spirit works primarily within the community of faith - it is personal, but not at all private. It is only when we come to truly live in community and allow others to feed us and to nurture us that we can truly see depths of the work of the Spirit.
Why write about this today? This time tomorrow, I will be on my way to Canonsburg, PA to have lunch with one of the first mentors I ever had, a fellow United Methodist Elder who first put the idea of pastoral ministry as a career into my head. I haven't seen him in at least 7 or 8 years, and am looking forward not only to visiting with him, but also just taking time to thank him in person for all he did to get me where I am. Imagine if mine was a childhood where mom and dad bought into that naive notion that their children could make up their own minds as to whether or not they would go to church. If my parents had been like so many others I know, who make sure their kids are involved in everything (in the name of making sure they are 'well-rounded') but the church and its activities, I would never have gotten to know this man, and maybe not have wound up in pastoral ministry.
Parents - be sure your children (no matter how young or how old) are in the church and the youth group. You never know who is waiting to mentor them in the faith.
Children - be sure to be a part of all the church's activities - worship, youth, etc. You never know who God has waiting to make a part of your life forever.
Others - be sure to be a part of the life of the church in all areas. You never know who will cross your path needing the mentoring you can provide.
Grace and Peace!
Lamar
