Mentor Summit 2017 Recap: Exhausted and Renewed
Exhausted and renewed . . . the two words I would use to describe how I felt after this last weekend’s Mentor Summit. It is amazing to see what God does in a room of 100+ men, amidst a beautiful mountain setting, with no agenda to guide them . . . it’s amazing to see what happens when men open up some room for God to speak into their lives.
In his book Crazy Busy, Kevin DeYoung describes retreats like ours this way:
“Do you know why retreats and mission trips and Christian conferences are almost always good for your spiritual growth? Because you have to clear your schedule to do them. You get away. You set aside your normal insanity for a weekend and find the space to think, pray, and worship.”
Men gathered with us from two countries, 16 states, multiple denominations and numerous churches. Each with a different story and a different reason for attending, yet all expecting to hear a message from the same God. It was a truly beautiful experience.
In addition to the 100+ men, we had a powerful list of speakers who provided some deep and meaningful ideas, a few of which we wanted to share with you. Below you’ll find a little about each speaker, what they spoke about and a few nuggets we can all learn from . . .
Regi Campbell, founder of Radical Mentoring, led off with a session on the power of our stories.
- “Great mentors have made sense of their stories” . . . simple and profound truth. You won’t be able to help someone look at their own life, until you have a better understanding of your own.
- “Hurt people will hurt people” . . . when we won’t let someone into our hurt, we will keep them out with a harsh word or a cold shoulder.
Reggie Joiner, founder and CEO of Orange, shared with us some powerful truths from his story.
- Empathy is the ability to put our own thoughts and feelings on hold long enough to explore someone else’s thoughts and feelings. This will require that we pause to imagine what they are thinking and pause to interact with them.
- We are called and compelled to ‘show up’ like Jesus, which requires us to 1) open the door to whoever God loves, 2) open the door to whatever God can do and 3) open the door to wherever God will take us.
Nate Larkin, author of Samson and the Pirate Monks challenged us from the place of pain in his own life.
- Accountability is our ability to hold it together for an entire week on our own as compares to accessibility, which is a 24/7 relationship with a friend with whom we have entrusted our lives.
- Four questions our trusted friend should continually ask us: 1) What are you feeling (mad, sad, glad, or afraid)? 2) What are you thinking? 3) What are you doing? and 4) What are you thinking of doing? (These questions are important because we have a limitless capacity for covert activity).
Randy Ross, founder and CEO of Remarkable!, started off our Saturday with an illustration that caused us all to think a little differently.
- A beat-up lamp still shines light when it has a bulb . . . as long as it is plugged into its power source.
- Beat up and messed up people can still shine their ‘light’ only when Jesus is screwed into them and they are connected to his power.
John Lynch, of the Trueface team, moved us all with a passionate talk. John shared a lot but the following spoke deeply to me . . .
- The degree to which I trust you is the degree to which I will let you love me.
- Grace is an actual realm . . . a way of life in which we no longer strive for acceptance. We mature, heal, and are released into His intentions by trusting that Jesus and all His power is fused into us, creating an entirely new person.
Our friend, Larry Green, founder of Cloud Walk Ministries and co-founder of Souly Business, had us consider a new way to approach prayer by pausing and asking God the following questions . . .
- As your son, Father, what do you want me to know right now?
- Father, how do you love me in ways my earthly father may or may not have been able to love me?
- Why do you want me to have your wisdom as revealed by your Spirit?
- How and when do you want me to seek and receive your wisdom?
Finally, Chad Moore, Lead Pastor of The Church at LifePark in Mt. Pleasant, SC, closed out our weekend by reminding us that authenticity and transparency must be the foundation of our mentoring and used the following Scriptures to land his point . . .
- Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well. (1 Thessalonians 2:8)
- We have spoken freely to you and opened wide our hearts to you. We are not withholding our affection from you but you are withholding yours from us. As far as an exchange – I speak as to my children – open wide your hearts also. (2 Corinthians 6:11-13)
From the table conversations, to the meals shared together, to the prayers said for and with each other, it was truly a Spirit-filled weekend that is hard to put into words. If you’ve been in the past, you know what I mean. If you haven’t, I hope you’ll considering joining us next year. The dates will be available soon – so mark your calendar and come spend the weekend with us. You will not be disappointed you did.
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Responses (2)
I’m so glad this went well again this year. Sorry I missed the summit. It’s always a highlight. I’m currently leading RMG 6 and absolutely loving it.
You were definitely missed this year Chad! Grateful for you and for our partnership with NewPointe!