The Empowering Waypoint
Romans chapter 16 is not a passage most of us readily remember, but I appreciate all the names listed there. Please take a moment to read it and see how many people are named. The passage communicates how valuable relationships are to the Apostle Paul. It includes people he’s ministered to and who have ministered to him. Here’s my list: I’m grateful for Randy Snider, my youth pastor and senior pastor for many years. I’m thankful for disciplers like Jim, Pat, Eric, and others. Terry Johns was a pastor/mentor who came into my life at a critical juncture to help me heal and grow and has been a mentor and friend through the years. Professors like Dr. Steyne, Dr. Jones, Dr. Harvey, Dr. Beyer, Dr. Bedell, Dr. Freeman, Dr. Downes, Dr. Villacorta, Dr. Walling, and many others shaped me through their lives and teaching. I’m grateful for Linus, Hud, Brian, Ann, Lammert, Paul, Kevin, and Kim, who led me through the years as a missionary, investing in me, trusting me, and challenging me. Many friends and peers have spoken into my life and still do. Each person impacted my life and helped me become who I am today, giving me a better understanding of who God created me to be and what He created me to do. My life would be missing something if these men and women weren’t in it.
I am also blessed to be able to mentor, coach, teach, train, disciple, and shepherd so many people. My ability to empower others has increased through the years though I started in my teenage years thanks to some nudges from others as I learned that a disciple makes disciples. Today, it’s a significant part of my work. How about you? Whether you’re in the 20s, 40s, 60s, or 80s, I’m sure you could benefit from writing your own Romans 16 list of people.
Deep mentoring emphasizes the imperative need for a variety of developmental relationships, stating: “In our studies of leaders, we can clearly conclude with few exceptions that those who experienced anointed ministry and finished well had a significant network of meaningful relationships that inspired, challenged, listened, pursued, developed, and held one another accountable.” Spiritual Mentoring says that “spiritual friendship is the environment in which our souls are nurtured for spiritual formation. Friendship heightens the joys of prosperity and mitigates the sorrows of adversity by dividing and sharing them.” You need spiritual companions to live in step with the Spirit for the duration of your life!
The In Step Pathway is geared to cultivate a developmental bias in each pilgrim so that you absorb it for yourself and start empowering others. I believe that each of us has something to empower others! On a scale of 1-5, how confident are you that you have something to offer others? And on the same scale, how would you say you are doing at developing others and cultivating a developmental bias in your demanding work? Contact us if you’re interested in growing this capacity
SONG: We like to leave you with a song today called New Wine by Hillsong to help you ponder the process of God’s shaping you and using you to guide others. Are you willing to be a vessel to invest intentionally in empowering others? “I came here with nothing but all you have given me… make me what you want me to be….”
Check out one of these favorites if you want to read to further deepen your empowering skills.
