Digital Logos Edition
Positive mentoring relationships are held to be essential to the formation of strong Christian leaders—but why? How can theological and biblical insights inform mentoring relationships? And what do these vital relationships look like across a range of Christian experience?
Opening multiple angles of vision on the practice of mentoring, Dean K. Thompson and D. Cameron Murchison here present a group of eminent scholars who explore mentoring from biblical-theological perspectives, within the context of diverse national and international communities, and across generations.
Created and edited by two well-recognized mentors and former mentees, this book offers far-reaching analyses and reflections on the universal practice—but also virtue and art—of mentoring. From helpful rules and principles to concrete examples and illustrations, the authors provide a rich handbook on ways and aspects of mentoring. Readers will find themselves resonating with the stories and lessons learned and greatly helped on their own life journeys.
—Patrick D. Miller, Princeton Theological Seminary
I have served three congregations that offered mentoring programs for seminarians. Those programs varied from informal to highly structured. In all three churches, I came to understand that I was, happily, not the only mentor. Certain congregational members—some younger and some older—were often the most effective mentors to the seminarians who were passing through. How I wish I might have had this magnificent collection of essays, both to read myself and to pass around my congregations. Thompson and Murchison have gathered a wonderfully diverse assortment of wise mentors to reflect on what it means to be mentored and to mentor others faithfully.
—Michael L. Lindvall, The Brick Presbyterian Church, New York City
I was surprised to realize this was the first book I have ever read about the power of mentoring. Yet I cannot imagine reading a better one. Thompson and Murchison have pulled together an amazingly rich, diverse collection of perspectives on the skills and gifts of both being a mentor and receiving that kind of guidance. The pages of my copy are now earmarked and underlined. I have no doubt I will keep coming back to it. While I was surprised that this was my first book to read about mentoring, I was not surprised that Thompson and Murchison were behind it. They have both been my mentors for a long time now. They practice what they preach.
—Shannon Johnson Kershner, Fourth Presbyterian Church, Chicago
Dean K. Thompson is president and professor of ministry emeritus at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary.
D. Cameron Murchison is professor of ministry emeritus at Columbia Theological Seminary, where he also served as dean of faculty and executive vice president.