You Are Ready
Today’s post is from David Katz, an executive with Coca-Cola Consolidated in Charlotte, NC. Since going through one of Regi’s Radical Mentoring groups, Dave has paid it forward and led or co-led 4 RM groups.
“I further covenant that, at some point, when the Lord lets me know that I am ready, that I will pick some guys and lead a group like this myself.”
This message is for the thousands of men who have had the opportunity to be mentored in a Radical Mentoring environment, but have yet to lead a group themselves. Hopefully others will take something from this too, and I pray nothing I write offends anyone.
My wife came to me in tears the other day about what appears to be the end of the marriage of one of her close friends. Unfortunately, divorce is an all-too-common situation today, so this news wasn’t necessarily a surprise to me. What did surprise me was her comment that “he really needed to be in a Radical Mentoring group.” Wow. My first thought was, “Hey, maybe I’m doing a little better than I thought I was ?.” My second thought was the reminder of what a blessing the last four years have been to me as I’ve watched the guys in my groups ‘get it’ and love their wives as Christ loved the church. And how cool it’s been to see wives touched by intentional husbands.
Let’s face it men . . . our country is broken (just look at the current election), our communities are broken (just look at the racial tensions across our country, including my home of Charlotte), and our families are broken (just look at the divorce rate for Christian marriages). We know that the answer is Jesus, but men need to be mentored on how to live, love, and serve as He taught us. You received that teaching, and you know the power that came with it.
Most of us (trust me, I was there) feel like we are not ready, not worthy, not whatever enough to lead a group. We can’t live up to our mentor’s standard (I was in Regi Campbell’s group . . . how do you live up to that?). Those are lies, delivered and repeated by the evil one. You are ready.
Here’s the part where you might get mad at me . . . you signed a covenant that included that phrase at the top, right? Do you believe that sometimes (oftentimes) God speaks to us through other people? May I be so bold as to tell you that God says you are ready? You’ve been in a group . . . you know how it works. Radical Mentoring has created a program track that is almost idiot-proof (I’m Exhibit A). You can partner with someone if you’re not comfortable leading on your own (that’s what I do!). And if you still feel ‘weak’ about this, that’s even better, because where we are weak, He will be stronger.
So it’s time to stop saying you’re not ready yet. Your country needs you, your community needs you, families need you, and most importantly the church (not the building, the body) needs you. Get in the game, and you’ll be amazed at how God blesses you and your group. You are ready! Why not start now?
Scripture: We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done. (Psalm 78:4)
Mentor Tip: We developed a tool to help you guide guys know if they’re ready to pay it forward. Click here for the quick online ‘Are You Mentor Material?’ questionnaire.
Breathe New Life Into Your Discipleship
Small group mentoring can help you engage your people, build your core group of leaders, and transform your church. Our free resources equip you with all the tools you need to launch a sustainable mentoring program.
Responses (1)
This is great! Hopefully the men reading this email realize that if they don’t step up to this responsibility, who will? Relationships are the currency of Heaven(Ken Boa). Hopefully this audience will leverage their relationships to help other men see the treasure that await them.