Are You Called to Mentor?

Sounds like a legitimate question, but is it?  I have heard many times from fellow believers the folowing statement: "I just don't feel called to mentor".  However, mentoring is not an option, or a call, it is our purpose as the Church.  I know I quote Matthew 28:18-20 all the time, but there is so much in that particular scripture that speaks to our actions as believers in Christ.

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20 NIV84)

Jesus not only tells us in this scripture what He expects from us, to make disciples, but He also models for us how we are to fulfill this commission He gave the Church.  He showed us that in order to make disciples, we need to be in relationship with others.  The relationships He modeled were with everyone in whom He came in contact.  That is what I call mentoring, or relational discipleship.  As a follower of Christ, all of my relationships are mentoring relationships, whether I want them to be or not!  As followers of Christ, people watch us to see if we truly live what we say we do.  In doing that, we are mentoring them, whether that be a good thing or not!

The Church must step up and realize that no matter where we are, or what we are doing, we must live our lives in ways that honor Christ.  As we build relationships with everyone around us, by showing Christ's love with compassion, we mentor them with the hope of having some incredible faith conversations that can draw them closer to taking a step of faith, and fully committing their lives to Christ.

As followers of Christ, you can see here that mentoring is not an option, we do it whether we are intentional or not.  So why not be intentional and mentor those we encounter, with hopes that one day we, or someone else in their life, will have the honor to walk them through salvation and into a discipling  relationship.  Then, they can grow and begin mentoring others.  That is Jesus model and commission for us, the Church - mentor and disciple others, would will in turn mentor and disciple others.  After all, God does not call us to mentor, He expects it!  That is the way Jesus intends us to build His Kingdom!  That is the purpose of the Church!

For some great audio on mentoring, checkout this site:  http://www.cslewisinstitute.org/Spiritual_Mentoring_Tom_Schwanda