What is a mentor? Perhaps we could say a mentor is someone who will let you ask them questions, listen to your ideas and point you in the right direction.A mentor is one of the most influential relationships you can have outside of your marriage and family. They have the ability to shape you into the person you desire to be. Honestly, if you're going to get where you're going, you'll need the following:
- Vision (a dream)
- Followers (people who believe in your dream)
- Tenacity (a determination to to see the dream fulfilled)
Having the right mentor in ministry is absolutely crucial. When you begin your quest to find a mentor there are a couple of things to consider:
- Can you trust this person?
If you tell them something in confidence, will it remain confidential? Or will they tell it to their comrades at the next luncheon? You can watch their life and listen to their conversations to determine whether or not you can open up to them in time. If you discover that they're telling you other people's business, then you probably don't want to share your business with them. - What are your expectations?
Be careful not to "over expect" something from a mentor. However, you should be able to expect the following: honesty, kindness and limitations.