Practicing Christian Leadership, Mentor's Guide, MG11

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P R A C T I C I N G C H R I S T I A N L E A D E R S H I P

* What are the key characteristics and attitudes needed to truly make someone who has been on the outside of the family of God feel immediately at home in the Church? * What kind of spiritual parent could I be, given where I am right now with the Lord and my place in the church? Do I consider myself ready to care for others spiritually? Explain your answer. * Of the five ways that Paul nurtured his “children in the faith,” which of these areas am I strongest, and in which do I have the greatest lack? How would my leaders describe my fitness to lead others spiritually right now? * Of all the attitudes and skills needed to be a competent and godly spiritual parent, which one do I believe the Holy Spirit wants me to seek from him most right now in my life? A dear sister, urban and poor with children, attends a mega-church which she enjoys, especially the sermons of the pastor which are funny, rich, and challenging. In several years, however, she has never met the pastor, and yet has encountered any number of problems, the latest of which involves her husband abandoning the family and leaving her and the children financially strapped and psychologically stressed. She is in real need of pastoral care and guidance, but in a large church she barely knows anyone. Her small group (admittedly of a different culture than hers) sympathizes, but none of them are accustomed to dealing with someone with such difficulties and complexities in her life. This dear sister comes to you for help, not knowing anyone else, sadly exclaiming, “I like my church, but I don’t know the pastor at all.” What kind of help and advice would you give to this dear sister, both about her immediate situation as well as her place and role in the church. “I Don’t Know the Pastor at All.”

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“That’s Too Dangerous for Me.”

A dear brother, being exposed to the teaching of the New Testament on the need for spiritual parenting of new and immature believers, agreed with the principle, but completely rejected the idea as a strategy for pastoral care. “While I see that Paul spoke of himself that way, I don’t believe that is for us; after all, I’m not Paul and neither are you! Furthermore, what is to prevent somebody from becoming a