|
 Dear
Saints:
I
recently read in a devotional booklet a brief recounting of Homer's
story in the Odyssey about Telemachus, the son of King
Odysseus. When the king had gone off to fight against the
Trojans he left Telemachus behind in the capable hands of a wise man
named Mentor who was made responsible for passing his wisdom on to
the young son.
Over
2,000 years later in his novel Télémaque, French
scholar and theologian, François Fénelon, adapted this
story of Telemachus in which he expanded upon the character of
Mentor. Through the influence of his tale the word mentor
came to mean "a wise and responsible
tutor". Based upon her own accumulated experience and
knowledge a mentor acts as a guide—a
role model—who
trains her understudy through teaching, challenging, correcting, and inspiring.
The
Holy Scriptures testify of themselves that they serve as our mentor
in our faith journey. 2
Timothy 3:16-17 reads, "All Scripture is breathed out by God
and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for
training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent,
equipped for every good work."
The
Bible, then, is given to us in order to be our instructor as we make
our way through the maze of life. As such, it instills in
us wisdom for the journey.
In
addition, God provides other mentors to act as our
guides. God gives other people, men and women of faith,
whose lives reveal the degree to which God's Word has shaped their
thinking and behavior. Once again in 2 Timothy (2:1-2)
Paul encourages his apprentice in the Faith with these words:
"You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in
Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me&ldots;entrust to
faithful men who will be able to teach others also."
In
upcoming months we will be electing people from our congregation to
serve on Council. The Nominating Committee is accepting
names for consideration. God has given you gifts for
service in his kingdom. What
are they?
To
serve on Council (or in any other position of leadership in the
church) is first and foremost a "spiritual" calling. Our
congregation needs faithful leaders, who thirst for God's Word, who
are committed to the authority of the Scriptures, whose lives are
being formed by those same Scriptures, and who are willing to be
mentors to others.
Are
you such a person? If
so, I invite you to give your name to the Nominating Committee for
consideration at the time of Council elections.
Grace
and peace,
Pastor
Larry |
