I am low-key excited about the launch of my next book, Growing People Relationally. Excited because the book deals with a subject that in many ways defines my ministry — spiritual mentoring. Low-key because I still struggle about inflicting another book on the world, and there are so many books on mentoring out there already. Many friends and leaders in the field have affirmed the writing of this book. So, low-key excited.
In many ways I am more teacher/preacher than mentor. However, looking back on 40 years of ministry, I am convinced that the most important way to help people grow is to walk with them. Many point out that that is what Jesus did and in His three years of walking with 12 disciples, one of whom deserted Him in the end, He started a divine revolution that continues till today.
There are a number of chapters in the upcoming book that are particularly important to me. One is a chapter pointing out that in mentoring people for growth, we are only serving God’s agenda of raising a new humanity; one that bears the image of Jesus (Romans 8:28–30). Spiritual mentoring starts with God and His work, not with us. When we walk with people to help them mature in Christlikeness, we are but agents of the Lord and His purposes.
There is also a chapter that summarises the divine resources that God has provided to help people grow spiritually. In particular, I point out that the primary agent in Christlike transformation, is the Holy Spirit, God Himself. We now have access to so much more knowledge about mentoring and techniques for mentoring. The danger is that we think it is our efforts that will change people. I believe God uses our efforts but only God can change hearts, and both mentor and mentee must realise this.
A third chapter that particularly stands out for me is the one on the qualities of good mentors and good mentees. Mentoring is not a programme. It’s a relationship between mentor and mentee(s) who are committed to walk together as they follow Christ. Therefore, mentoring works best when mentor and mentee bring certain qualities to the encounter. It not just about technique. It’s about the people.
It is also special to me that the book is launched in my 70th year. I avoid the term legacy. It is God and people who will sift through my life after I have gone to see if there is anything worth keeping. But I think I do have a responsibility to record some of the more important lessons I have learnt about life and ministry in my 70 years, many of which were learnt through failure and mistakes. I share them with my friends in the hope that some of them will prove useful.