Mentoring Spiritual Leaders Summary

This study arrangement is a concern with mentoring spiritual leaders. “Shepherding those who shepherds the Lord’s flock. The author, Edward Smither, opens with a question of how could a fifth-century African bishop be relevant to the twentieth-first century?” When it comes to mentoring spiritual leaders, Smither uses Aurelius Augustine or Augustine of Hippo, as an example of how to mentor others. Smither mentions that “so many pastors are in a struggle with isolation because they have no one to mentor or nurture their souls.” Augustine as Mentor gives insight on attempts of how to address this dilemma of isolation, by exploring the life of Augustine. Smither voices to the modern-day pastors and spiritual leaders that have a longing to mentor
This aid as further support to the fact that a good mentor, like Augustine, do not come up with these methods on their own. Rather, they follow the patterns and designs set forth by Jesus and the early Apostles. Smither accomplishes this by answering the question of “What is Mentoring?” The modern-day church needs to go back to the blueprint put forth before us. Smither labors to show the biblical origins of proper mentorship and our need for its imitation. The author further supports this when he points out that, “While Jesus presented a model for the Twelve, Paul called the Corinthian believers to be “imitators” (mimētēs) of him, emulating his “ways which are in Christ.” Therefore, we would do well to imitate, follow, and live out the ways of Christ in our mentorship. The Second strength of this book in chapter three, titled “Who Mentored Augustine?” Monica, Augustine’s mother who served as an example and mentor to Augustine. She was also well educated and made sure to raise up her child in the way he should go which had an