Leaders Who Limp & The Power of Mentoring

Saturday, September 4, 2010

Leading With A Limp

We often think that leadership is only for the perfect leader, the guy or gal who has it all together. Sounds great in theory, but all of us, even the best of us, have a limp that the Lord has entrusted to us. And in spite of our struggles, we can, as Dan Allender reminds us, lead with a limp. Here are a few of the profound quotes in his book that impacted me.

“No one is a mere follower. If you are a follower of God, for instance, then you are called to lead. Every believer is called to help someone grow into maturity—and such is the core calling of a leader.” Pg. 25

“Every leader must count the cost of leadership, and the cost includes six realities: crisis, complexity, betrayal, loneliness, weariness, and glory. No one escapes these twists and turns in the valley.” Pg. 29

Allender, Dan B. 2006. Leading with a limp: turning your struggles into strengths. Colorado Springs, CO: Waterbrook Press.

The Power of Mentoring

In their book, Spiritual mentoring: a guide for seeking and giving direction, Anderson and Reese underscore the role a mentor has in the lives of those he or she mentors. Genuine mentoring is not just about passing along information, but looks to impact the heart.

“The term mentor actually comes from the world of Greek mythology. Ulysses placed his son Telmachus under the tutelage and care of a wise sage named Mentor. Ulysses was away fighting in the Trojan War, so Mentor was responsible for teaching young Telemachus ‘not only book learning but also in the wiles of the world.’ Mentor’s task was to provide an education of soul and spirit as well as mind, and education in wisdom and not merely in information.” Pg. 35

“Spiritual mentoring…
• Provides an effective means of enhancing intimacy with God

• Cultivates recognition of the already present action of God in the life of the mentoree through the Holy Spirit

• Aids in the discernment of God’s will

• Is a highly effective means for character and value formation

• Facilitates ultimate identity discovered as a loved and accepted child of God

• Is a necessity for the journey of faith

• Provides clarity and guidance for decisions and service for one’s life

• Is a source of encouragement, courage and hope

• Is rooted in the teaching of the church and biblical truth” Pg. 50

Anderson, Keith R. and Reese, Randy D. 1999. Spiritual mentoring: a guide for seeking and giving direction. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

Leading with Quality in Mind,

Denny