This year’s mentoring group was outstanding. Thanks to Shane, Benjamin, Shannon, Doug, Scott, Jason, and Ernie for blessing me with a great year in 2012. Am I ever impressed with these guys! All of them are ministers and are blessing churches.
This group met one full day per month for the last 12 months. During these times together, we talked about life, Jesus, ministry, and the church. Of course, as a part of any discussion regarding life, we talked about our relationships, including our spouses, children, and friends. We remembered our calling and the meaning of our vocation.
Much of our time was spent focusing on building our interior lives. We also talked about skills and good practices for doing our work and functioning better in our congregations.
A group such as this provides a safe environment, an atmosphere of encouragement and affirmation. Last evening, hours after this group came to a close, I thought about the following:
1. We are blessed when we are surrounded with encouragers. One way this happens is to be a part of a group, like this one, of mutual encouragers.
2. We are blessed when we are a part of a group of people who are committed to growing and learning. Far too many people are content to lower the bar and just get by. I loved being around a group of people for a year who were not afraid to raise the bar.
3. We are blessed when we meet regularly with a group of people to talk honestly about our lives. Far too many people feel isolated and cut off, in part because they have no one with whom they can talk openly and candidly.
Question:
What do you believe contributes to the isolation and sense of aloneness that so many people feel?