October 24, 2022
One of the quickest ways you can level up your leadership is by gaining a mentor. The right mentor can teach you, inspire you, and even help you correct your course when you get off track. They can accelerate your growth by giving you feedback and pointing out pitfalls and distractions that might knock you off your path to success. Proverbs 1:5 says “…a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel.”
Something I learned early on as a young pastor of a growing church was that it was important to find out those who had done what I felt God was calling me to do, and to learn everything I could from them. Most of the time that meant I would buy their books, join their “audio cassette of the month” club, or subscribe to their monthly newsletters. I would never let the excuse of “not knowing someone personally” hold me back from learning from them.
I asked another mentor of mine, Roy Hicks, who he thought the best Pastor in America was. He told me matter of fact, “John Osteen.” So I began to buy his tapes, I began to order his VHS cassettes, and I began to pray and believe God that He would open up a door for me to learn from Pastor Osteen. Guess what? Not too long after that, I was invited to attend a luncheon with some other ministers and Pastor Osteen. I was in shock as during the meal, all these young pastors were bragging about what they were doing, the size of their church, and the reach of their tv ministries. All the while ignoring the well of wisdom that was right there at the table.
Pastor Osteen asked me, “Why are you being so quiet?” I replied, “Well Pastor, I came to learn from you and not to talk about our church.” That response opened the door and over the years my relationship with John Osteen grew. Many times I would fly to Houston, visit Lakewood, and be encouraged, corrected, learn, and grow.
"Mentors have a way of seeing more of our faults than we would like. It's the only way we grow."
—George Lucas
Here are a few suggestions on how to get the most out of a mentoring relationship:
- Keep your mouth shut and your ears open.
- Give gifts to your mentor.
- Send them thank you cards.
- Be sensitive to their needs.
- Ask good questions:
- What habits have made you a success?
- What books have been the most helpful to you?
- Who are your mentors?
- What have been your greatest failures?
- What have been your greatest successes?
- What would you do differently if you could do it over?
- What changes have you had to make to go from one level to another?
Couple other things to remember: You should have different mentors for different areas of your life and for different seasons of your life. Jack Welch said of mentors, “You will never ride one horse to the top.”
Next, your mentor isn’t supposed to be your buddy. They are to be your example. Honor them, value them, and learn all you can from them.
Recommended Book:
Mentoring - How to Find a Mentor and How to Become One - by Bobb Biehl
If this leadership lifter helped you, please forward to a friend!
God is for you!
Pastor David Blunt
COTR Marketplace Ministries is a ministry for those in the marketplace and those interested in starting a business. Lifelong learners, entrepreneurs, businessmen, and businesswomen, meet to grow in their leadership and skills. This is a great place to network, build relationships and exchange ideas!
Join us on November 19 at 5pm in the main campus lobby. We will have guest speaker, Bishop Dale Bronner, founder and senior pastor of Word of Faith Family Worship Cathedral. Dr. Bishop is an accomplished author, is a leadership trainer, whose travels have taken him around the world!
Dinner and childcare will be provided. Purchase your tickets online for just $12 or $15 at the door.