November 5, 2026

Mentoring for Ministry

“And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” 2 Timothy 2:2

Christian universities want to support congregations in developing new ministry leaders for their roles in the local church. This brief note describes a biblical foundation for this work and shares some insights into a model of mentoring that can be helpful to persons new to ministry in a local congregation or mission setting.

Background and Biblical Basis

Even in the best of circumstances, when a university remains firmly connected to Scripture as its foundation for truth, focused on the mission that Christ gave the church, and engaged with local congregations in its community, the students it prepares will still lack something essential in their preparation for ministry that only a local congregation and other faithful ministers can provide. This missing element is experience in the real world where one’s academic preparation meets the reality of ministry to others in the church or ministry context and ideally occurs in an apprenticeship or mentoring relationship with a senior minister. Lessons are learned in this environment that no professor can teach, and no classroom can offer. No university can prepare students for every nuance of how best to preach, teach, and minister to unique groups of believers everywhere!

We begin our discussion of mentoring for ministry with a few ideas about how growth occurs in relationships. For disciples of Jesus, these ideas will not seem strange. John’s gospel tells us Jesus came to make the Father known (John 1:14,18). He did this as he taught and healed, but also as he formed close relationships with his disciples, and they learned from him, were trained and sent, received feedback and then again tasked with making other disciples.

In Jesus’ day, a follower would typically approach a Rabbi, asking to become his disciple. Instead of this approach, the Gospel writers tell us that Jesus called his disciples. From this group, he later named the twelve apostles (Matthew 4:18-22, 10:1-4; Mark 1:16-20, 3:13-19; Luke 5:1-11, 6:12-16; and John 1:35-51). The disciple of a Rabbi in Jesus’ day would live communally with the Rabbi. The disciple would learn all the Rabbi’s teachings and his actions, including mannerisms, if possible. The goal of the disciple was to become fully like the Rabbi and ultimately to make other disciples in the Rabbi’s likeness ^[1](Young, 2007).

Jesus lived and ate with his disciples for three years, modeling how to live faithfully. His disciples learned by always being with him. They saw his actions and behaviors, including his miracles and prayers, and heard his parables and sermons. He sent the twelve out to perform miracles and proclaim the coming of the Kingdom of God. He corrected their misunderstandings with love and restored them. These disciples learned from him individually, but more often, in community. They discussed their understanding of the Father with each other, what they were learning, what they saw their Master do, and what they were thinking. They asked him questions and listened to his answers. He asked them questions. He called them, modeled what to do, sent them, corrected them, commissioned them, and ultimately left them with the Holy Spirit to guide them.

If our development of new ministers does not also involve the principle of forming a disciple through apprenticed relationship, we are not growing ministers as Jesus did.

A Mentoring Model for New Ministry Leaders

The four elements below contribute significantly to developing a new minister, missionary, or Kingdom worker as they grow in service. Research has also shown that having a formal mentor and a supportive peer group reduces burnout and turnover in ministry and helps improve minister retention.

1. Having a Primary Mentor – An ideal mentor is typically more senior and more skilled in ministry and understands not only the skills that need to be applied but also the interpersonal skills and demands of work in the ministry context of the new minister. Most importantly, the mentor loves God, is devoted to ministry, and seeks the good of the new ministry leader as a disciple of Jesus. The mentor may or may not be on staff in the same congregation or ministry. The new ministry leader and the mentor should each have a clear understanding of their roles and clarity on the following topics:

• Relationship Agreement: We recommended that a new minister and mentor meet at least once (preferably twice) per month, if possible. Set start and end dates. Begin with a six-month or one-year commitment and be open to extending this time frame and adjusting the frequency of meetings. Create a goal statement for the relationship. Set basic expectations: meeting length, who pays for coffee, etc.
• Have an Agenda for Meetings focused on the new ministry leader’s activities, discipleship, and growth. If the new minister is also going through a formal educational program, discuss what is being learned and how the new minister is applying this information. [NationsU offers Mentoring Guides, which cover the first several courses in our undergraduate and graduate programs to help the mentor and the student focus the mentoring relationship around what is learned and encourage its application in ministry.]
• Supply What is Lacking: A mentor can help identify gaps in skills, offer resources, and help practice new skills specific to the new minister’s area(s) of work (e.g., have a ready sermon or outline for conducting a wedding or funeral, an always-ready sermon or youth talk, share a how-to guide for planning VBS, jointly plan a men’s retreat, practice the ministry-of-presence at bed-side hospital visits, nursing home visits, demonstrate how to prepare for congregation budget meetings, etc.).
• Support, Encourage, and Help Grow in Faith: The mentor can also help the new minister grow as a disciple by sensitively talking through questions of faith that arise from study or challenging conversations with others. The mentor can help encourage and coach the new minister when harsh comments are received from others or when they observe failure in others to model Christ’s example as a leader or minister. Minister burnout often occurs due to interpersonal conflict and inappropriate behavior in others, which can create a crisis of faith or decision in the new minister – “Do I challenge, confront, ignore, or take a different path? If this is what ministry is like, should I be doing something else?” Having a more experienced mentor to help serve as a sounding board during such times increases the likelihood of painful experiences leading to growth in faith, successful resolution, and remaining in ministry as an effective leader in God’s Kingdom.

2. Education – Being Formed by a Rigorous Encounter With God’s Word – Those new to ministry can sometimes quickly feel as if they have nothing new to teach! Education focused on God’s Word helps us dig a much deeper well that helps satisfy the thirst in our souls and the souls of those we minister to with real spiritual nourishment. Congregations can encourage new ministers to complete a degree or continue their next degree focused on knowing God and serving others better. This is why NationsU exists – to help students engage in education that equips them for evangelism and service. Growing our understanding of God’s Word results in connecting more closely with the power He has placed in it (Isaiah 55:11; Hebrews 4:12; Ephesians 6:17).
3. Receiving Supportive Feedback in a Congregation – A congregation that loves a new minister and strives to give kind and supportive feedback is giving the greatest gift for ministry possible. New ministry leaders fail, as do all Christians. Kind comments are needed about what worked and didn’t work as new things are tried, sermons are preached, classes are taught, and ministry is attempted in all of its settings. Kind or harsh comments can make or break someone new to ministry. A more senior minister can help identify some of the kindest members whose feedback has meant the most and ask them to help provide consistent feedback with a purpose. Two or three consistently positive people in communication will be a tremendous gift. They should not remain anonymous: “I’m letting you know that I may offer feedback from time to time. Let me know if I’m too harsh! Sometimes, I may give you a thumbs-up or a high five. Sometimes, I may send a short note or text. Let’s talk about what doesn’t make sense or what I didn’t perceive the way you meant it to come across. I’m praying for you, pulling for you, and want to help you succeed!”
4. Having a Peer Support Network – Our most supportive friends are often people in the same circumstance we are, and frequently those who are one or two “steps ahead” (pacers) who can help us know what we may anticipate next. They have lived through the same challenges we face, learned how to overcome them, what tools may be helpful, and who to go to for guidance. In addition to having a mentor, having a safe group of peers cheering us on is invaluable.

A group of ministers I know meets one Monday each month. At each meeting, they have a brief devotional. One shares sermon outline and another offers a book report to broaden awareness and thinking. A wise senior minister leads a discussion on stress in ministry where anyone can share a challenge, receive encouraging comments from peers, and prayer from the group, knowing that what is discussed will not be divulged to others. The group closes with a discussion of a topic and then ends with a period of fellowship over lunch. Many powerful biblical principles are at work each time this group comes together (Proverbs 27:17, Ecclesiastes 4:12, Galatians 6:2).

Putting It All Together

Here is a quick checklist of mentoring and support to put in place for your congregation’s new ministry leader:

• Have you identified a senior minister to serve as a mentor?
• Is the new ministry leader engaged in serious study that will deepen their understanding of God’s Word and His purpose? Are opportunities made for the new ministry leader to apply this knowledge regularly in their work in the congregation?
• Have you identified coaches in the local congregation who can give kind and supportive feedback on sermons, classes, and other activities without demoralizing the new ministry leader?
• Is there a network of other ministry leaders to connect the new minister with for fellowship and support?

It is our prayer at NationsUniversity that your new ministry leader will be a blessing to you and you to them and that God will use your congregation to grow His Kingdom!

NationsUniversity® – nationsu.edu – 615.309.8101