Topic > Analysis of Mentoring in Vocation - 729

(148) The mentee, according to Dr. Fowler, might say "I believe that!" (146) This would happen when both the mentor and the mentee were able to answer Jesus' question about who Jesus is, mentioned in John 14:6. In my opinion, I back this up with 1 Corinthians 12:9 which says “To others the same Spirit gives faith.” (NRSV) To explain this, I would like to state that the faith of believing in God and the presence of God or the involvement of God in that mentoring journey, is expressed as mentioned above, but can only be expressed with the help of the Spirit Saint who gives faith to the student, as a gift. (148) This ties into Dr. Fowler's claim to discern one's gifts. (122) Although students are afraid of making mistakes, (148) the work of the Holy Spirit continues. In the words of Dr. Fowler, “It is on behalf of God that we take responsibility.” I understand this point of view that those who are embarking on the journey of mentoring are not going it alone, it is because God has chosen them. I back this up with Dr. Flower’s statement that “Being a pastor is not an individual event, it is a relational event. Shepherds are called by God." Therefore the shepherds, who are shepherding the new shepherds, are fulfilling their task of “thoroughly” (157) tending the seeds of faith and helping them to mature spiritually, cultivating the soil to provide manure to nourish those seeds of faith so that they can proclaim who Jesus is. (159) This directly states “let me be employed by you or set apart for you.” (Alliance p.117) The gifts are many but the tasks can vary. Some may, as mentors, be called upon to do the plowing work, while others may have work to set aside as a mentee or seed to be guided by a mentor.