Preaching Words: 144 Key Terms in Homiletics by McClure John S

Author:McClure, John S. [McClure, John S.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Westminster John Knox Press
Published: 2007-01-01T16:00:00+00:00

mentoring A one-to-one training relationship between a novice preacher and an expert sustained over an extended period of time.

Although mentoring and supervision are often confused, mentors, unlike supervisors, are usually self-selected by the novice or learner. The goals of mentoring are many: character development, learning a style and tradition, developing insider knowledge, vocational and personal support, and reaching one's full potential. In their infancy, many seminaries or "schools of the prophets" sent preachers into the field, pairing them with mentors for the purpose of learning pastoral skills, congregational leadership, and a tradition of preaching. In the African American churches, mentoring continues to be an important aspect of homiletic training. Cleo LaRue points out that in the black churches novice preachers are not declared fit to preach by virtue of their seminary certifications, but are required to seek the church's blessing, which can be achieved only through demonstration of proficiency. This proficiency is best achieved through a mentoring relationship.

Mentoring typically offers several benefits. First, mentors are sponsors. They provide fundamental emotional, spiritual, and moral support for novices. At times they provide institutional guidance and protection, as the novice preacher moves through denominational or organizational structures. Second, mentors are counselors. They provide practical wisdom, advice, tips, and personal insights about preaching. Third, mentors are coaches. They teach basic skills and instill the motivation required to build self-confidence in the task of preaching. fourth, mentors are spiritual guides. They nurture faith and provide a sense of spiritual direction in the process of claiming identity as a preacher. Finally, mentors provide living models of preaching, demonstrating in practice all the essential elements required to be faithful to a particular tradition of preaching.

Cleophus J. LaRue, "Two Ships Passing in the Night," in Mike Graves, ed., What's the Matter with Preaching Today? (Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2004), 127–44; Cleophus J. LaRue, The Heart of Black Preaching (Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 1999); E. K. Bailey and Warren W. P. Wiersbe, Preaching in Black and White (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Press, 2003); Henry Mitchell, Black Preaching: The Recovery of a Powerful Art (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1990); Wayne McDill, The Twelve Essential Skills for Great Preaching (Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 1998); John H. Westerhoff, Spiritual Life: The Foundation for Preaching and leaching (Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 1994); Dave Stone, Refining Your Style: Learning from Respected Communicators (Loveland, CO: Group Publishing, 2004).

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