Mentor Sites
The adage “more caught than taught” still rings through leadership in training. Mentoring is one of the most powerful ways to teach practical leadership skills. Observing, participating, reflecting, evaluating, and planning integration is essential to effectively learn and utilize new skills and concepts.
What happens at the mentoring church is essential to the success of the Pastoral Leadership Institute participant’s growth experience. Over the course of four (4) years, each participant will experience first hand the ministry of six (6) mentoring churches. The purpose is to engage each in the ministry of the mentoring church by:
1) engaging in dialogue with the local staff;
2) experiencing the corporate worship life of the mentoring congregation;
3) observing one major ministry of the mentoring church in action;
4) processing the experience with colleagues;
5) evaluating the experience and setting goals regarding how to incorporate what was learned into the participant’s ministry.
The time spent by the senior pastor and staff team with the participants is critical. Although no one church or staff will engage in a long-term relationship, the overall composite should at least fulfill the “caught” nature of the mentoring process. This means, of course, that the attitude of openness and willing exchange predominates. Careful planning is critical to the overall success of the event.
As you engage these colleagues in your ministry, much of what you do and who you are will be caught.