Mayumi Pohl（Director of Second Level Ministry）
As Christians we are new creations in Christ. God considers each and every person to be precious, there are many way people are led to salvation, as we look at those led to the Lord, we can praise him. The group identity of Japanese people, is important as people are saved; fellowship at church overflowing with love, living in community, meeting other Christians as living witnesses, “I want to be like everyone else”,“I want to be included in everyone’s family” there are so many people with these feelings who have come to faith in Christ. The “body of Christ” community is indispensable both when considering the spread of the kingdom of God and when thinking about individual beliefs. At the same time, however, don’t forget that a relationship with God is personal.
“And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.”
Colossians 2:6-7 (NLT)
God wants us to rely on Christ, and stand firm in our faith and walk, and he prays for us in that way. We mature spiritually as we walk forward;“mentoring” is a purposefulapproach. We won’t find the word“mentoring” in the Bible, but as we look at different Bible characters and we see examples of this type of relationship. Moses and Joshua, Naomi and Ruth, Paul and Timothy, Jesus and Peter, James and John as we see the depth of their relationships.
The growth of Jesus’ disciples, and the vision of developing disciples are the purposes of Second Level Ministry. In mentoring “The mentor with a personal relationship with the mentee, praying together and following a plan, an intentional process of assisting in their spiritual growth,” Matthew 28:18-20 (The Great Commission) and 2 Timothy 2:2. “Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others.” According to these verses, the purpose of the mentors’ role spiritual growth.
Each word has an important meaning.
The growth of Jesus’ disciples, and the vision of developing disciples are the purposes of Second Level Ministry. In mentoring “The mentor with a personal relationship with the mentee, praying together and following a plan, an intentional process of assisting in their spiritual growth,” Matthew 28:18-20 (The Great Commission) and 2 Timothy 2:2. “Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others.” According to these verses, the purpose of the mentors’ role spiritual growth.
Each word has an important meaning.
- “Mentor focuses on the mentee:” To guide: It is not the setting to meet the needs of the mentor. As a result of their connection the “mentor” and the “mentee” may both experience spiritual growth. But the main purpose remains the growth of the “mentee”.
- “Through personal relationships“: Mentoring is not a passive interaction like listening to lectures and speeches, but rather through personal conversation. One-on-one is the best for reaching the heart and making a connection. There is the important element of modeling through life.
- “Intentionally through prayer”: A person’s spiritual growth from the Lord (1 Corinthians 3: 6-7). Through prayer, intentionally lead mentees. Spend time to discover purpose and learn concrete ways to fulfill purpose.
- “Staying close”: Mentoring is not a one-time event, but a continued walking alongside another in the process of sanctification it may be long term or for just a given period of walking alongside your mentee.
- “The process of helping spiritual growth“: Although mentees have various things in their lives, mentoring is not the time to solve problems, but help them learn how to deal with how God works through these situations by faith. It’s a time to deal with spiritual problems, such as what to do. It’s a chance to encourage spiritual development, and growth that is seen in being transformed into the likeness of Christ.
The 2018 Mentorship Conference was held in Osaka on June 15-16. Under the theme of “Together”, we reflected together on Ephesians 4:12 “Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ” (NLT).Those growing as a solitary Christian and those seeking training to support the spiritual growth of others were the main participants who gathered and learned from each other. Messages from Pastor Ryo Momoi who is actively involved in discipleship, mentoring in church planting. He challenged us that the intentional practice of love is directly connected to discipleship, trusting others to serve. To create an environment that raises up those who nurture the disciples of Christ.
Participants had various discoveries and learned through discussing real-life experiences with role-playing and active listening. As well as listening to each other, they could listen to God as a mentor and explore how to actually listen to God with others. Through the confidence gained through the experience, they received a calling to make further disciples of Christ as a Christian, and returned to their home areas.
We look for to holding this training again in the Kansai area in 2019.
