YEAR OF SAINT PAUL By Chuck Hornsby   Eighth in a series of Reflections on the Life of Saint Paul   For the Jubilee Year of St. Paul   June 28, 2008-June 29, 2009

 

St. Paul and Mentoring

By Chuck Hornsby

As we enter into the second 40 years of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal we find ourselves in circumstances similar to other religious movements of the past. Every movement that lasts long enough must move beyond the founding generation and pass the torch to a succeeding generation. It is important that every new generation of leaders be rooted in the accumulated wisdom of its predecessors while still experiencing the freedom of following the ever dynamic Holy Spirit who “blows where he will”. Mentoring the young is one of the ways that individuals in the founding generation can help this process. When we read the Pauline letters to Timothy and Titus we see a number of elements that are part of successful mentoring.

In the beginning of each letter Paul writes to his “son”. Mentoring goes beyond simply passing on information or methods. It must be rooted in a relational base. It is easy for people to misunderstand or misapply what we say or teach, but if they are in relationship with who we are, what we say and teach has a context for understanding. Paul also spent significant time in each of the letters making sure that Timothy and Titus were grounded in sound doctrine. Mentoring must go beyond its relational base and both pass on and encourage understanding based in truth. Paul recommended the scriptures and his own teaching as sources for remaining grounded in truth. Paul also showed a concern for the moral life of those he was mentoring. He called them to adhere to their conscience and to live exemplary lives. Mentoring includes elements of spiritual direction and a special concern that the individual be a faithful disciple with an eye toward heaven not simply one who leads or teaches.

Paul pointed back to early experiences of those mentored. Helping individuals build on the positives of the past and helping them come to terms with the past and move beyond the difficulties are important elements of mentoring.

Paul encouraged Timothy and Titus to remember and to act on their early experience of having of having received gifts with the laying on of hands. Stirring up the gifts and encouraging their use is another important aspect of mentoring. Finally Paul encouraged those he mentored to be bold and not to let their youthfulness keep them from leading. Mentoring blesses and empowers those mentored and encourages them to do great things for God and the building of His kingdom. These are just a few of the aspects of mentoring alluded to in the Letters to Timothy and Titus. I encourage each of you to read these letters with an eye toward passing on what you have experienced and what you know so that a new generation of grounded Spirit-led leaders will come forth and go forth.

 © National Service Committee February 2009. All rights reserved.