Somewhere along the way, our American Christian culture created an elite, celebrity-type of hierarchy that placed full-time missionaries at the top and "regular" small group leaders at the bottom. Please do not misunderstand. Our ultimate aim is to take the beautiful, chain-breaking Gospel to the ends of the earth. Therefore we should do nothing less than lift up international missionaries to the Father daily. We should also support our brothers and sisters through our financial giving AND our physical "going" to partner with them in their work.
But let's rewind the missionary timeline for a moment. How did that missionary arrive at their spiritual and geographical destination? Who instilled in them the passion to see ALL people groups worship the Living God? Who invested in them the time necessary to help build doctrinal stability to point them to the nations? Who refused to give up on them when they doubted the Bible's authenticity, rebelled against its precepts or challenged its authority?
Now in reality, it was probably a team or "village" of people who spent time shepherding their hearts. Hopefully, it was first and foremost, the parents who raised them in a gospel-centered home. But even sound research shows that when a "trusted elder" comes alongside of the parents and reinforces the same truths…the seed takes root in deep, deep soil.
This is where a "mentor" who disciples is vital. Now in our Christian culture here in America, I believe we've overcomplicated the role and function of a mentor. Look again at the above passage. What did Paul and Barnabas do? They simply strengthened and encouraged the new followers. Did this take time? Yes. Patience? No doubt. But at the end of the day it wasn't like they had to write 90-page papers for Systematic Theology or dissect each element of apocalyptic literature. They simply strengthened and encouraged.
Now when it comes to mentors who invested in me alongside of my parents, there are many, many names that come to mind from yesteryear. But my childhood friend (whose blog you need to read at thejarred.com) and I agreed to mention one of our mentors from our adolescence in our blogs this week. Partly because its Charlie Musick's birthday, but also because Charlie played a subtle, yet significant role in our lives.
I'll never forget one Sunday night after our traditional stop at THE Dairy Queen in the Waverly Plaza, Charlie offered to give me a ride home. On the way to my Cedar Hill Drive abode, Charlie strengthened me by helping me identify temptations that were obvious in my walk. He also encouraged me by affirming specific gifts he saw in my life that could be used for the glory of God.
As with many things in our American culture, we sometimes attempt to overcomplicate and market the art of mentoring. But there is no hierarchy. It's a false measurement. We've been called to simply "strengthen and encourage" as we go. We've been instructed to intentionally make disciples, love them and tell them to "remain true to the faith."
It may not sound like much in light of the daunting global task to take the gospel. But exponentially…that is HOW we take the gospel. By mentoring one heart at a time. Let's not take our opportunities lightly this week.
I'm eternally grateful that Charlie understood the simplicity of this discipline. I simply hope to emulate what he did for me and Jarred.
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