Augustine as Mentor: A Model for Preparing Spiritual Leaders

by Edward L. Smither

Publisher:

B&H

, 2009

Overview

Lauded for his thoughts, Augustine of Hippo (354-430) has influenced virtually every philosopher of the last fifteen hundred years. But his personal character and ministry are even more remarkable, for in a time when most monastery dwellers sought solitude, Augustine was always in the company of friends, visiting disciples and writing mentoring letters to those he knew.

Augustine as Mentor is written for modern day pastors and spiritual leaders who want to mentor and equip other evangelical Christians based on proven principles in matters of the heart like integrity, humility, faithfulness, personal holiness, spiritual hunger, and service to others.

Author Ed Smither explains, “Augustine has something to offer modern ministers pursuing authenticity and longing to ‘preach what they practice.’ Through his thought, practice, success, and even failures, my hope is that today’s mentors will find hope, inspiration, and practical suggestions for how to mentor an emerging generation of spiritual leaders.”

Key Features

• Attempts to prepare modern-day pastors and spiritual leaders who desire to equip others by dealing with Augustine's pastoral theology and methods of mentoring
• Seeks to on shepherd those who shepherd the Lord's flock
• Works with a model of mentoring that springs from early texts such as the New Testament

Contents

Top Highlights

“At the monastery in Hippo, where he and other clergy and laymen lived, he deliberately left his door open to visitors, and his table was set with extra places.⁵ In short, his life was characterized by friendship.” (source)

“The present inquiry will consider how Augustine influenced these leaders in their training and preparation for ministry. My contention is that Augustine effectively mentored spiritual leaders and set them apart for needed ministries in the church and that many aspects of his mentoring will serve as instructive for the modern mentor.” (source)

“The evidence surrounding Augustine’s life reveals a deeply personal and passionate man who was committed to people and friendship.” (source)

“So, in addition to believing that Jesus was the Christ, a disciple would also have accepted the moral and ethical teachings of the Hebrew Scriptures, as well as His updated teaching like that contained in the Sermon on the Mount.” (source)

“In summary, the Mentor effectively mentored His disciples at this stage through modeling ministry, involving the disciples in ministry, and debriefing successes and failures in preparation for future ministry.” (source)

Product Details

• Title: Augustine as Mentor: A Model for Preparing Spiritual Leaders
• Author: Edward L. Smither
• Publisher: B&H
• Print Publication Date: 2009
• Logos Release Date: 2014
• Era: era:contemporary
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Reader Edition
• Subjects: Augustine, › of Hippo, Saint,--354-430; Mentoring › Religious aspects
• ISBNs: 9781087796727, 9780805463835, 9780805447071, 0805463836, 0805447075, 1087796725
• Resource ID: LLS:9780805463835
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2024-03-06T20:41:14Z

About Edward L. Smither

Edward L. Smither (PhD, University of Wales-Trinity Saint David; PhD, University of Pretoria) is professor and dean of intercultural studies at Columbia International University. He spent 14 years in intercultural ministry in North Africa, France, and the USA. His previous books include Missionary Monks, Mission in the Early Church, and Augustine as Mentor.