5 Benefits of mentoring in the Church and life

5 Benefits of mentoring in the Church and life

Posted on by Matthew Laker

5 Benefits of mentoring in the Church and life bMentoring has had a big impact upon my life. I have had more informal mentoring than formal, but either way have appreciated those who have invested in me.

Together with the church community at Sunnyside Wesleyan Church in Ottawa, we wrestled on how to best produce systems of formal and informal mentoring/discipleship relationships. We saw mentoring as a way to walk with another person so as to support and encourage them in their faith. To put this into practice, we connected new believers with a mentor for one year as well as connected those who made steps of Baptism with a mentor. Some asked for a mentor to help work through a certain issue in their life. It was not without its challenges, but we have heard some great stories of people entering, engaging and experiencing the life God has called them to in a deeper way.

 

Each relationship had a start and end date and people on average met once a month. One of our challenges was we somehow combined the roles of life coaching, mentoring, and discipleship into one. Even with the challenges though, I still believe in the power of this type of mentoring.

 

No matter what you call it

I see five benefits of mentoring.

 

1. Reality check

This can be the biggest help we can give people when we invest in them. Helping people understand where they are at and where they need to go is foundational to mentorship/coaching/discipleship.

 

2. Talking it out is just good

I have seen this time and time again in my own life. As I talk through a situation with someone, it helps me process and bring a clarity of its own. Often the mentor does not even have to say much, just get the person talking and ask good questions.

 

3. Act like a Lighthouse

A mentor has the ability from life experience to help reveal things the mentee may not see at this point in their journey. The challenge is for the one being mentored to trust and evaluate the words of the mentor.

 

4. Investing in others, helps you grow.

Not everyone is ready to do full on mentoring, but everyone can invest in someone. As I have invested in others and watched others do it, I have seen that all individuals are challenged but they can always grow in faith and life.

Mark 10:45 “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

 

5. Great way to make disciples.

It may not be the most efficient or the fastest way of making disciples, however, when we look at the life of Jesus, he spent more time with 12, and even more time with 3 of that 12. I would be willing to bet some of the biggest impacts for the kingdom of God have come from smaller communities and one on ones. People spending time with people.

 

Do you want to experience the kingdom of God? Do you want to see the kingdom of God?

 

Then make time to invest in other people.

 

Jesus said “Teach them to obey the commands I have given.” One of the best ways I know of is one person leading and guiding another person. It is not going to happen fast and it is a journey.

I would love to hear your thoughts and experiences. Do you have any questions about mentorship?

Beginners Guide to Advent: A Short History of Advent

Posted on by Matthew Laker

The season of advent “ties our lives to Christians throughout history”( John Feister, the editor of AmericanCatholic.com).

For many, the season of advent is filled with indulgences, distractions and 

commercialism that pushes us to rush into Christmas.  However, observing this centuries-old Christian practice has the potential to feed us and lead us to a deeper and more fulfilling state.

Advent is a season you will not find in the bible, and for this reason, an argument is sometimes put forth against this tradition. This objection, however, does not undermine the value of this practice to our faith formation and journey with Christ.

The early stages of advent are not well known.  It is not until sometime between the 4th and 5th century in Gaul and Spain that “advent” was first seen in its early stages.  

During the end of the 400’s there are some sermons that speak of preparation before the birth of Christ.[1] In a sermon from St. Gregory the Great, who was a Pope from 590-604, he speaks of the second Sunday of advent. By 650 in Spain, we see the celebrating of five Sundays. Some have shared it was during the 6th-century that followers of Jesus in Rome started linking the season to the coming of Christ, focusing not on his birth but on the second coming. It is during this time momentum for advent begins to take off[2]. Different regions seemed to work out different practices around this season. Then Pope Gregory (1073-85) takes the celebration from five Sundays to four, the preparation initially not being about Christmas day, but Epiphany.

Epiphany is a celebration found in early January that celebrates the Baptism of Jesus, the miracle at Cana and the visit of the magi.  Once again, we see the use of the calendar for the purposes of teaching and making disciples.  In many cases, this is used for new Christians to be baptized and welcomed into the church.  Like lent people would spend 40 days examining their life and repenting.

Traditionally the Christmas season began Christmas Eve and went for 12 days ending with Epiphany.  The time before this was advent, a season of preparation for Christmas. Today, the Eastern Church participates in a fast that is longer and more like lent and the Christmas celebration lasts for three days.  In both the eastern and some western Churches there are services held on both Christmas Eve and Christmas day.

During the Middle ages, there was a pagan celebration in December and the church worked to counter and Christianize it, thus further developed advent. Therefore, it became more connected to December.    This does not mean that advent is a non-Christian activity.  It just means Jesus followers at the time were looking for ways help people turn to Jesus.  Thus, the development of a system to help focus on Jesus. 

Advent seems to be a tradition that has evolved over time.  It is a time calling the church together to fast, celebrate and remember.  It has carried themes reflecting on both Christ’s first coming and his second coming. For the moment, there seems to be a strong connection to traditions from the last couple hundred years, but I suspect it will start to adapt again since strong culture shifts are taking place all around us.

[1] (http://www.aquinasandmore.com/catholic-articles/the-history-and-meaning-of-advent/article/173/sort/relevance/productsperpage/12/layout/grid/currentpage/1/keywords/advent

[2] (http://www.canticanova.com/articles/xmas/art1e1.htm) and (http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2002/decemberweb-only/12-2-52.0.html)

How to be filled with the Holy Spirit – Part 2

Posted on by Matthew Laker

holyspirit 1

Why do you want to be filled with the Holy Spirit?

The first question you must ask is “Why?”  Why would we want to be filled with the Holy Spirit?  Any time we see this happen in the Scriptures, it means that people are living counter cultural, and some are  thrown into jail (Acts 3).  The bigger question is “Are you willing to yield to the Spirit, thereby becoming obedient?

Be careful to not jump out and say “Yes” here.  Do you really believe that Jesus is the only hope?  Do you live as Jesus is the only Hope?  We will speak more to this in part 3, but let’s look at the first question.

We must remember that the Holy Spirit reminds us about Jesus, and he will call you to obedience in your life.  One person in Scripture tried to buy the power of the Holy Spirit.  They wanted the power without the full cost.  He  wanted to bargain, and failed to understand the Holy Spirit was a gift from God (Acts 8).  If you  are seeking the power for yourself, you will not get the power.

In Ephesians 5:18 Paul encourages the Church to be filled with Holy Spirit, and Jesus says we need the Holy Spirit (John 16:7).So take a moment and ask yourself “Why do you want to be anointed with the Spirit?  For what purpose?  Do you just want the thrill without having to pay the price? Do you want others to look at you in a certain way?  Is there something you are looking to gain in status among your community?”  If so, you really are not worshiping Jesus.

Why do we want the Spirit in our life?  The plain answer should be, “Jesus said we need the Spirit”.  As we lay our life down as a sacrifice on the altar of God, surrendering to the Spirit’s work and leading, we will bear the fruit we were created for.  The Holy Spirit came to draw us to God, but the bigger role of the Holy Spirit is to make us effective witnesses, and to guide us.

Check out this post on who the Holy Spirit is.

If you still desire the power of the Holy Spirit, then spend some time reflecting on Romans 12 this week, and check out part three of the series next week.

To be filled with the Holy Spirit, we must empty our self so He can come in.  Seeking the power of the Spirit is so that the name of Jesus may be known, not ours.

How to be filled with the Holy Spirit – Part 1

Posted on by Matthew Laker

holyspirit 1

What do we mean by “filled with the Holy Spirit?”

How are we filled with the Holy Spirit?  (This is part one of a series on How to be filled with the Holy Spirit (add later Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4 links).   For me there are four thoughts behind the term – “Filled with the Holy Spirit”

1. When one first follows Jesus, there is a placement of the Holy Spirit into one’s life.

The Holy Spirit is a marker, a guarantee, of our inheritance in God’s kingdom. (1 Cor. 12:13).  The full presence of the Spirit is given, but the full anointing is not always seen or experienced.

A.W. Tozer shares “Everyone has the filling of the Spirit but not the anointing.”

Check out this post to learn more about who the Holy Spirit is, and his role in the believers’ life.

2. Connection to the Sanctification process.

“In what may be an over-simplification, salvation depends on Christ as our Saviour; sanctification seeks to establish Christ as the Lord of our life.”

As Jesus becomes Lord of our life, there is opening to the power of the Spirit in a greater capacity.  As Jesus becomes Lord of all areas of our life, the Spirit can flow through us in a greater capacity.

Resources:

This is an older resource, but may help to stir some thoughts.

http://www.wesleyan.org/d/TSyVx/The-Baptism-with-the-Holy-Spirit-Greathouse.pdf   

3. Extra Anointing moments or refreshing moments.

The giving of the Spirit to an individual or group for a task or the mission of the Church.

The giving of the Spirit to an individual or group for a refreshing, restarting of faith, or refocusing of mission to a group of believers.

4. Someone following the leading of the Spirit.

Paul says in Galatians that we are not controlled by the Spirit, so we should keep in step with the Spirit.  As we do that, the fruit of the Spirit is produced in our life. Thus, when we speak of someone filled with the Spirit, there is a recognition that they are not only being led by the Spirit, but also following the Spirit.

This is an area not all believers in Jesus will agree on, but it is my working understanding.

Next week we will start to help you understand how to be filled with the Holy Spirit in your life.

Who is the Holy Spirit 101?

Posted on by Matthew Laker

Who is the Holy Spirit?

In Acts 2:38-39, after the coming of the Holy Spirit,Peter calls those who have heard the gospel to repentance and baptism, and to receive the Holy Spirit.

holyspirit 1Acts 2:38-39  (NIV)

38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.

The promise of the Holy Spirit is for them, and each of us who follows Jesus.

So,who is the Holy Spirit?

The author Sinclair Ferguson (“The Holy Spirit”, Inter-varsity press, Illinois; 1996; p. 36) reminded us that in John 14-16 Jesus speaks about the sending of the Holy Spirit and what he will do.  Looking at what Jesus has to say in answer to this question, we find the following:.

  • Jesus calls the Holy Spirit, Advocate.  (The word carries the idea of a lawyer providing advice and counsel, one who gives strength or encouragement.  The experience in acts also saw supernatural abilities.)
  • The Holy Spirit = the presences of Jesus = presences of God
  • Teach us and remind us everything Jesus taught
  • Testify about Jesus
  • Convict us of our sin, and God’s goodness and judgment
  • Guide us into truth.

In the Old Testament (This just a quick overview)

  • We see the Spirit over the waters in Genesis 1
  • King Saul – When the evil spirit was sent to  him.  The text shares the arrival of the evil “ruach” (Spirit) follows the departure of the “ruach” (Spirit) of the Lord”
  • Four main contexts in which the spirit of God is spoken of in O.T. Creation, Outstanding gifts (placed on people for such a time for work), Prophecy, Future hope
  • The Spirit of God is the promise of new covenant
  • Jeremiah 31 ” I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts”
  • Joel 2:28 =  Acts 2

If you read through the book of Luke

  • We see Jesus is filled with the Spirit.  The Spirit empowers Jesus to accomplish his mission.
  • We see people are filled with the Spirit and the mission of God is furthered.

Paul talks about Gifts of the Spirit as something that is not just for first century believers, but for all to come afterward. (1 Corinthians 12)

If you read through Acts, you see the words or similar words as  “filled with the Spirit.”  There is a connection to the disciples of Jesus, and you also to see supernatural things, which are all connected to God’s activity through the church.

Jesus says in Acts 1:8 “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you” “

Looking at Acts 2 to understand who the Holy Spirit is, we see there is an enablement given from the Spirit for us to bear witness of the glory of Jesus.

The best way to understand what Jesus meant by “power” is to read through the gospels and Acts.  Look for what happens when people are filled with the Spirit.  Then, read the other letters of the New Testament looking at their understanding of what the Spirit would do?

A summary of what we see regarding the Holy Spirit’s role in our life:

  • Reminder of who God is and who we are.
  • Giving of an ability to bear witness
  • Courage given to believers
  • Language/words given to believers for times of sharing the gospel
  • Strength given for circumstances
  • Miracles taking place.

Who is the Holy Spirit?

The Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son, and is of the same essential nature, majesty, and glory, as the Father and the Son, truly and eternally God. He is the Administrator of grace to all, and is particularly the effective Agent in conviction for sin, in regeneration, in sanctification, and in glorification. He is ever present, assuring, preserving, guiding, and enabling the believer.

What further questions do you have about the Holy Spirit?