Australian Christian Mentoring Network
A Community of Practice for Christian Mentors
In the last few decades, as mentors, we have heard a lot about working with strengths and strengths-based growth and development. Our ACMN online training seminar this year is going to explore this approach in some depth. We will reflect together on how key elements of this perspective might inform Christian mentoring. Continue reading “Strengths Based Mentoring”
Dr Keith Farmer was a founding member of the ACMN, which began in September 2009 after a gathering of mentors at Stanwell Tops that Keith organised. Having been a pastor and a theological seminary principal, as well a registered clinical psychologist, Dr Keith Farmer has been mentoring Christian leaders in Australasia for many years. He recognises the pressure of ministry and life, and also the alarming risk of burnout, and has produced a valuable resource to speak into this area, a book called Going Deeper to Go Further. Keith will be launching his book and presenting at a seminar on Ministry Health next week in NSW (see here for more details).
Copies of Keith’s book are available here, and Rick Lewis (chair of ACMN) has written a book review:
This is the book Christian leaders need right now. Pressures that have been building for decades have come to a peak in recent times, bringing many able leaders to the brink. This is a serious book, but also a deeply encouraging one as Keith Farmer presents a hopeful and well-informed vision of how Christian leaders can flourish even in times like these.
There’s a deep understanding of the dilemmas facing Christian leaders – from within themselves, from their cultural context, and from the organisational structures within which they work. As the book moves from insightful diagnosis to practical solution, Farmer presents solid theological foundations, a simple and specific methodology through mentoring and finally a well-rounded overview of the processes by which Christian leaders can ‘go deeper to go further.’ Testimonies from several leaders who have walked this path ground the ideas in practical examples. For me, the greatest strength of the book is the way Farmer maintains the perspective of Christian spirituality throughout, anchoring our hope in the love and grace of God.
Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Saviour. The Sovereign Lord is my strength; (Habakkuk 3:17-19a)
I was reminded of this text recently by a friend who was clinging to God’s faithfulness in the midst of a really tough situation. And I had to think, what a classic example Habakkuk gives here of the importance of a right perspective. Not allowing the circumstances, as challenging as they were, dictate his outlook. Not denying the harsh reality immediately before him, nor allowing it to discredit the ultimate reality that he knew to be true – that God is good and faithful. And he allows this perspective to determine his actions – he chooses to rejoice.
We explored this theme of Perspectives for ACMN’s twelfth annual training webinar in early August this year. It was an online event due to ongoing Covid restrictions, and we had participants join us from all around Australia, and even a few international guests! Our seven presenters were all members of the ACMN Committee, and they brought us a smorgasbord of ideas and insights.
By Bruce Warwick
Endorsement of a ministering person in Churches of Christ in Queensland requires the completion of a 2 year Personal and Professional Formation Plan which involves a commitment to 3 goals and for these to be reflected in specific plans in 8 different areas. Through the year each ministering person meets several times with a companion who helps them to revisit their stated goals and reflect on how they are going with their commitments in each of the 8 areas.
Companions are encouraged to use questions that will help the conversation to go to a deeper level and invite a visiting of any resistances, struggles, arising issues in each area as well as any new empowerments and freedoms.