The following article is a based off a workshop that was presented by Jeff Lockert on December 31^st, 2024 at the 2024 CCO Rise Up Conference in Calgary, Alberta. It was titled: “The Secret to Spiritual Growth: The Mentorship Advantage.”

The Purpose of Mentorship

The central theme of this workshop was simple yet profound: We can grow through the wise counsel of others. Mentorship is a pathway to spiritual growth, helping us learn from those who have gone before us. Mentors provide us with insights and perspectives that we might otherwise lack, accelerating our spiritual maturity.

Why Mentorship?

Mentorship in a spiritual context is more than just learning; it’s about growing closer to God. Here are some of the key benefits of mentorship:

• Spiritual Growth: Mentors help us mature in faith and guide us toward a deeper relationship with God.
• Humility and Lifelong Learning: Seeking wisdom from others cultivates humility, fostering a spirit of lifelong learning.
• Experience Download: Learning from someone else’s experiences, including their mistakes, helps us grow more efficiently.
• Encouragement and Courage: Mentors encourage us, putting courage into our hearts as we navigate our spiritual journeys.

What Mentorship Is (and Isn’t)

Types of Mentorship

There are three primary types of mentorship:

1. Professional Mentorship – Guidance within a specific career or technical domain.
2. Personal Mentorship – Focused on character development, time management, or personal finances.
3. Spiritual Mentorship – Helping us grow in prayer, theological understanding, and spiritual practices.

This workshop emphasizes spiritual mentorship—the kind that helps us grow closer to God and mature in our faith.

What Spiritual Mentorship Is:
A mentor is an experienced and trusted advisor, particularly in our spiritual journey. They are individuals whose hindsight can become our foresight, guiding us through experiences they’ve already navigated.

What Mentorship Is Not:

• Not a Spiritual Director: A mentor is not a spiritual director. Spiritual direction is a specific role requiring formal training.
• Not a Counselor or Therapist: Mentors are not professional counselors or therapists. Their role is not to address mental health issues but to guide spiritual growth.
• Not a Life Coach: Unlike life coaches who focus on professional or personal goals, spiritual mentors guide our journey toward holiness and faith.

Who Makes a Good Mentor?

In the Bible, we find many examples of mentorship, such as Eli and Samuel, and Paul and Timothy. In our lives, we should aim to have three types of people:

• A Paul – Someone we look up to and learn from.
• A Barnabas – A peer who journeys with us, offering encouragement and support.
• A Timothy – Someone we can mentor and help grow in faith.

Seven Steps to Finding a Spiritual Mentor

1. Recognize Your Primary Mentor: Remember that Jesus and the Holy Spirit are our ultimate guides.
2. Pray for Wisdom and Clarity: Seek God’s guidance in finding the right mentor.
3. Self-Audit and Identify Growth Areas: Determine the spiritual qualities and virtues you want to develop.
4. Brainstorm Potential Mentors: Think of people who exhibit the qualities you admire.
5. Be Patient with the Process: Trust God’s timing as you seek a mentor.
6. Take Action: Reach out and initiate an initial conversation.
7. Commit to Ongoing Growth: If the connection is fruitful, mutually agree to continue meeting.

When and Where to Meet

Frequency and Duration:

• Aim to meet once every 4-6 weeks for about 60-90 minutes.
• Evaluate the mentorship relationship every six months to see if it should continue.

Location:

• Meet in convenient, quiet places conducive to meaningful conversations.
• In-person is ideal, but virtual meetings via Zoom are effective for long-distance connections.

How to Structure a Mentorship Meeting

• Initial Meeting:
  • Start by thanking them for their time.
  • Be prepared with questions about their spiritual journey and insights.
• Ongoing Meetings:
  • Begin with personal connection and catch-up.
  • Discuss questions or challenges you’re facing.
  • Listen actively and take notes.
  • Report back on progress from previous discussions.
  • Close in prayer, asking for guidance and strength.

Reflecting on Your Why

Before seeking mentorship, reflect on why you desire spiritual guidance. What areas of your faith journey do you want to grow in? Knowing your “why” provides clarity and direction for your mentorship journey.

Activation Exercise

1. Pray: Ask God for wisdom in identifying the right mentor.
2. Prepare: List three to five areas of spiritual growth you want to pursue.
3. Brainstorm: Identify three people in your life who might serve as good mentors.
4. Take Action: Reach out to one of them today to schedule an initial conversation.

Conclusion: The Mentorship Advantage

Mentorship is a powerful tool for spiritual growth. By learning from others, we gain wisdom and courage to navigate our faith journey. Just as Paul mentored Timothy, we, too, are called to learn from others and eventually pass on our wisdom to the next generation.