Paradigm 10: Three Core Competencies of a Mentor (31/5/19)

Edmund Chan speaks of these competencies as:
1. Shepherding:

• caring through words and presence
• counseling with identifying the root problem
• coaching by giving principles and skills to point people in the right spiritual direction.

2. Teaching in the most efficacious ways for all learning types.
3. Leading. God-centredness causes mentors to bring mentorees to encounters with God and to lead with examples of 'passion, purpose and pursuit.'

I felt that it was worth looking at Psalm 23:1-4 to ask ourselves how as undershepherds under the 'Chief Shepherd' (Eph 4:11, 1 Pe 5:1-4) we should be relating to the sheep under our charge. A shepherding ('pastoral') relationship is characterized by the exercise of oversight, meaning responsibility and authority.

Ps 23 can be divided (if it is divided!) into 2 or even 3 sections. Some regard the whole Psalm as speaking only of the Lord's shepherding care, although v. 5-8 seems to switch to a picture of a guest feasted at the Lord's table. Some consider v.4 to constitute a section where a fellow-traveler ("I will fear no evil") supplements the picture of a shepherd ("I shall not want") and host ("I shall dwell")


I asked what it means to not be in "want". Clearly, it does not mean that God gives us everything we feel we must have. It means, rather, that we will never lack anything that our Shepherd thinks is good for us. We, too, as shepherds must discern what our sheep are seeking when they come saying that they want this or that or wish this or that.
As shepherds we provide:

• Rest and refreshment (v 2).
• Healing for weariness and wounds (v.3a)
• Guidance in the ways of the Lord (v.3b)
• Protection/defense from enemies in those ways (v.4)

I see elements of hospitality, providing safety to share life as well as of giving counsel and comfort. I mentioned here how my friend shared with me that the best missionaries could be discerned by whether they opened their own homes to others for ministry. We too, when we have our own homes, should endeavour to do this! We use the Word of God (Ps 19:7 "The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul") wisely as we do this. A clear application of the aphorism that only 'truth applied changes lives' is that we must teach the right thing to do and walk with our mentorees in doing it.  These right ways are meant to lead us to better places -greener pastures, but the road may be dangerous and difficult. The 'shadow of death' occurs 18 times in the OT and refers to 'deep darkness' - a place of extreme danger and distress where there is abandonment and solitude. The Shepherd's rod and staff at these times are not for discipline, but for 'comfort', The rod is to strike predators/enemies of the sheep. I mentioned that the traditional enemies of the Christian's soul are the world, the flesh and the Devil. The latter comes to 'steal, kill and destroy' (Jn 10:10), which is to say his work is to steal the gifts God has given, to kill the life God has placed in us, and to destroy the work God has done in and through us. Where there is this sort of activity in the lives of our sheep, we can discern the hand of Satan behind it.

In 2 Ti 3:10-11 Paul asks Timothy to consider his example in contrast to the conduct of false teachers (2 Ti 3:1-9). There is no egotism involved here, because of the strong relationship between the two (Phil 2:22, 2 Ti 1:2), This teaches us that we speak most deeply and authentically into the lives of our sheep when our relationship with them is strong. He mentions the following aspects:

• Teaching
• Conduct (demeanor, way of life)
• Aim in life (his life goal, 'firm resolution')
• Faith (trust, loyalty)
• Patience (long-suffering)
• Love (self-giving, sacrificial affection)
• Steadfastness (endurance, perseverance), despite...
• Persecutions and sufferings

Twice (v. 10, 14) he calls Timothy to be different from the false teachers and the world, and to be like him ('you have followed' c.f. "continue in what you have learned'). Paul authenticates his teaching by his conduct and virtues, as well as his sufferings. The teaching of this mentor is backed up fully by his life!