Here’s a funny thing I noticed last January – my gym was packed with resolution-makers for exactly three weeks. But you know what lasts longer than a gym membership? A good mentor. Trust me on this one.
It got me thinking about that wild story in Acts—when Paul and Barnabas had that heated “discussion” about John Mark? Instead of it being this ministry-ending blow-up, they actually ended up multiplying their impact. Sometimes, the messy stuff leads to the best outcomes.
Real Talk About Biblical Mentorship
Do you know what’s wild about Jesus’ approach to building leaders? No formal training program. No fancy titles. Just ‘come, walk with me, and watch how I do this. He lived life with twelve guys who probably drove Him crazy sometimes. (I mean, they argued about who was the greatest… while walking with the Son of God. Come on, guys.)
You’ve got Paul calling Timothy his “true son in the faith” – not his associate or ministry partner. His son. That hits differently, doesn’t it? Through all those letters, you can feel Paul’s heart – the late-night conversations, the tough love moments, the “kid, you’ve got this” pep talks.
DOVE’s Approach to Mentorship
I’ve got to brag on our DOVE family for a minute. We’ve figured out something pretty special when it comes to mentoring. It’s messy and beautiful and real – kind of like a family dinner with toddlers, but with more spiritual growth and less spaghetti in your hair.
Here’s what it looks like:
- Sometimes, it’s grabbing coffee and talking through a church crisis
- Other times, it’s structured training (because, yeah, you actually need to know stuff)
- Often it’s just doing ministry together and learning on the fly
Think about how you learned to ride a bike. Someone ran alongside you, right? That’s us. We’re the ones running alongside new church planters, cheering wildly and picking them up when they crash into the metaphorical bushes.
The Not-So-Instagram-Worthy Truth
Can we be transparent? Finding a mentor isn’t like those perfect “mentorship moments” you see on Instagram. It’s more like dating – awkward first coffees, wondering if you’re texting too much, and trying to figure out if they’re really “the one.”
But I’ve learned a few things the hard way:
- Pray first. Seriously. Don’t skip this part like I did.
- Just ask. That person you admire? They probably don’t bite.
- Be clear about what you need. “Will you be my mentor?” is way too vague.
- Show up ready to work. Nothing kills a mentoring relationship faster than laziness.
The Part Nobody Likes to Talk About
Remember when Paul called Peter out in front of everyone? I bet that wasn’t a fun day at the office. But here’s the thing – real mentorship includes uncomfortable moments. If your mentor never makes you squirm, they might just be your cheerleader.
Your Move for 2025
While everyone else is planning their beach bodies for summer, you could be planning something that actually lasts. No shade to fitness goals (my gym membership says hi), but finding a mentor? That’s the kind of resolution that can change everything.
So here’s your homework (yeah, I’m pulling the mentor card already):
- Grab your journal
- List three people who make you think, “Man, I wish I could learn from them”
- Text one of them right now. Like, right now. Ask for coffee.
Why 2025?
Because church planting’s too wild a journey to tackle alone. Trust me – I’ve tried.
It’s like trying to build IKEA furniture without instructions. Sure, you might end up with something that looks like a bookshelf, but at what cost?
Ready to find your Paul?
We are here for you. Let’s make 2025 the year you found your Paul. Connect with DOVE’s apostolic team today.