Peoples:
Discipling & Mentoring The Next Generation

Some time ago, I had the privilege of having lunch with an incredible group of youth pastors—sharp young leaders who were passionate about their relationship with Jesus and their love for people, especially for the young generation. To say I was impressed with them would be an understatement.

I was also impressed by their desire to find mentors—spiritual fathers and mothers who were willing to invest their lives in them. I was blown away by the fact that they wanted to “hang out” with an old guy like me. At their age, I would have never thought that anyone over the age of thirty had anything to contribute to my life. These guys were different. They sought me out, asked me to have lunch with them, and opened their hearts and lives to me.

As we were getting ready to leave, one of them thanked me for taking the time just to be with them. I’ll never forget his words: “You have spent more time with us at lunch today than my pastor has in the almost two and a half years I have worked for him.” At first, I was sure he was joking or at least exaggerating. How could that be? But, I quickly realized that was not the case. Several of the others spoke up, affirming his statement and acknowledging to varying degrees that their experience was similar as well. Although the discussion that followed was brief, it has troubled me for years. Those exceptional young leaders all came to their positions not only with a specific job to do but with a deep desire for someone to invest in them--their lives and their future.

As an older leader (“a father”), I have taken the challenge to invest—not only what I have learned about ministry but also my life—in an emerging group of leaders, who, I believe, can become much more than I could ever be. They are ready to listen if we are willing to invest. I’m also finding that my greatest days of ministry are now giving myself to develop spiritual sons and daughters who will touch their world in ways I have only dreamt about.

Have you found that attempts to mentor the next generation of followers of Jesus can become a dizzying effort? We can find ourselves lost amidst antiquated structures, processes and programs that yield little to no fruit. Then, instead of reevaluating our efforts and carefully finding the most effective and strategic route out of tradition and into a more organic relational model, we fall prey to what is most familiar to us.

This generation has little interest in programs, structure and meetings. They seek organic, easy going relational opportunities. Here are a few things to consider when investing in young leaders:

Streamline or eliminate formal programs – Next generation disciples would rather sit casually around a dinner table with no agenda than sit for hours in a classroom with a speaker and microphone. Your best programs will never hold a candle to an organic, unplanned, time over coffee or through a text exchange. Loosen the agenda and reach out relationally.

Try technology – Have you text, tweeted or friended your mentee? This is especially important if you are a mentor that is using old mentoring techniques to reach a new generation. If it feels informal, it is because it is. Try using technology to reach, find and initiate communication with your mentees. They will respond a lot faster to a tweet or text than any other mode of communication.

Air your dirty laundry – So what if David committed adultery! They want to know if you did and how you made it through. Scripture comes alive to this generation when there are real life stories from your life to illustrate biblical truths. In former mentoring models, we shared our successes. This generation longs to learn from our failures. What we see as humbling they call authentic.

If you’re struggling to build mentoring relationships with next generation disciples, listen to what they are asking. Your best route to success is embracing a more relational and organic approach.