The Mentorship Gap Epidemic – Fueled By Excuses
by Garret Barbush | President & CEO
Let’s take a moment to be men. Let’s take responsibility and call it what it is. The Mentorship Gap is an epidemic because of us…me and you…God’s sons. At the end of the day, it falls on our shoulders – the men called to be the body (1 Corinthians 12:12-31) – the men Jesus instructs with the greatest commandment (Matthew 22:36-28) – the men Jesus entrusted with the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20).
The epidemic is only cured when men answer the call to mentorship. Yet, so many of us find excuses or justify our reasons for not answering the call to mentorship. Let’s be emboldened by the Holy Spirit and battle the excuses…
“I’m really busy…” or “I don’t have time…”
Welcome to the club. We all have families. We all have careers. We all serve in different capacities. We all have things we’re responsible for. At the end of the day, we all make time for things that are important to us. Mentorship shouldn’t be considered a “time suck.” Rather, mentorship should be considered a God-given opportunity and God-given assignment.
“I don’t feel qualified…” or “I don’t have what it takes…”
Me too. We will only find peace in accepting the invitation to mentorship when we realize God calls imperfect people to live out His perfect will. And if God has called us to live out The Great Commission, then that means He has completely equipped us to do it. God wouldn’t call us to do something if it was going to fail. The world was changed forever because 12 men answered a call – a group of ragtag men who didn’t live perfect lives and didn’t have the answers or solutions. But they had a willingness to answer the call! You’re 100% qualified, and you have what it takes.
“I don’t know what to do…”
Great! Good news – it’s not that hard. But how will we ever know what to do if we don’t give it the ‘ol’ college try’? Many of us have been willing to take risks in business, with investments and in our careers, yet we continue to hesitate taking risks with our faith. Great news – Men of Iron will equip you with the tools and training needed to help you and a mentor or protégé succeed.
“I don’t know who to ask…” or “I don’t feel comfortable asking…”
It’s okay. Jesus knows who you should ask. Ask him. He had a theory of change – retreat, pray, invite, invest and elevate. Jesus’ model is perfect. First, he got away from the noise of culture. Second, he prayed to the Father for guidance (and God gave direction). Next, Jesus did what paralyzes most of us – He approached a man face-to-face and extends a bold invitation. Finally, Jesus takes it to another level by actually investing his life into the men and then elevates them to another level of leadership. But it all starts with intentional prayer and a willingness to make a bold ask.
We pray you will battle the epidemic by answering the call to mentorship. Don’t let culture tell you you’re too busy or unqualified. Don’t let the enemy distract or derail you. Be bold. Make the commitment to mentorship today!