Book Review: John Mallison, Mentoring: to Develop Disciples and Leaders, Scripture Union /Open Book, 1998.

John Mallison is well known and respected as one of the Australian Uniting Church's 'Elder Statesmen', and as a promoter of Christian discipleship and growth through small groups. His 'Growing Christians in Small Groups' has to be in the 'Top 20 Essential Book for Pastors and Church Leaders' and now you can add this one.

Recently I was counseling a young tradesman, who had a small business as a solo operator. His plea: 'I wish I had an older guy to train me: I have to solve problems on the job all day every day, and it gets lonely and frustrating! In fact, I finish up most days pretty angry'. Exactly. If there's one thing that has come out of the Men's Movement, it's the need for young men (and women) to have older role models. (John Mallison says in Mentoring that women are natural mentors). The story of the boy Jesus in the Temple is one those in every preindustrial culture would understand. When the 'elders of the tribe' give their sole attention to a boy of that age, he is not the same again. In my talks to men's groups I find that only one or two in 100 have spent more quality time with their fathers (or a father-substitute) than with their mothers. As the guru of the Men's Movement, Robert Bly, says to men: 'Have you older men encouraged a young man today? If you haven't, they'll never understand or enjoy what being a man is all about!'

Hence the strategic nature of John Mallison's book. By the way, he does what he preaches. He mentors young pastors. But unfortunately most young pastors don't have this privilege. John himself had mentors: he was lucky.

What is a mentor? John's definition: 'Christian mentoring is a dynamic, intentional relationship of trust in which one person enables another to maximize the grace of God in their life and service' (p.8). Our key model here of course is Jesus; chapter two has a marvelous exposition of 'The Great Commission' (Matthew 28:19,20). And of course there are many other biblical precedents.

The heart of mentoring is to help in the development of a growing relationship with God. It is dynamic, involving receiving, sharing, and giving - and honesty, and accountability. And the discipline of regularly meeting.

The basic qualities of a mentor? They ought to be Christ-centred, passionate, relational, affirming, open and transparent, trusting and trustworthy, available, able to facilitate learning, competent and prayerful. ('Who is sufficient for these things?' I hear you asking - another reason why each of us ought to be in both a giving, and a receiving relationship of this kind).

That's enough. The book has study guides and group work. Phone Open Book or Scripture Union and get them to send you half a dozen for your leaders. Pastors: if it's not too late for planning 1999 - or even if it is, scrap your other plans; take a journey with your key leaders through this book. You, and your ministry, and your church will be the richer for it.

Rowland Croucher