Mentoring: Invitation and Proposal

Introduction and Rationale

For some 3 years, Jesus did what few men today are willing to do. We often think of Christ as a teacher, which He was. We think of Him as a healer, and He was certainly that, as well. We think of Him as a Savior and Redeemer, and praise be to God, He was. But for three years, Jesus Christ was also a mentor. Day in and day out, the Lord walked, talked, prayed with, and invested in the lives of a very small and diverse group of men. While Scripture often refers to these men as the apostles, they were also given the charge to teach all things that Christ had taught. That same charge is true today. Men need to invest in the lives of other men. In our world, we need those who are willing to step up and share life, wisdom, and insight with other men who wish to learn. No one can be forced into such a relationship, but those who allow someone to mentor them are wiser and more spiritually mature for it. We live in a world where men are struggling in vast and varied areas of life. The pressures of dayplanners that are busting at the seams, the constant cry for real leadership in the home, the need for more help down at church, and a mans desire to have his own domain all these cry for our attention. How does a man of God do well in all these areas, while still keeping his sanity? This is the rationale behind this program. I want to mentor young adult men and help them grow closer to God, and more mature as true men of God in every aspect of life. Whether single, married, or married and a father, you will benefit from this mentoring program.

Specifics
Who is this mentoring program for?
This mentoring program is designed to be a very small group. Men ages 20-33 are invited to be involved. However, for each year, I will not allow more than 8 men to be involved. The reason stems from the model of Christ, who only mentored 12 men (and Im not Him, so 8 is more than enough!). Also, as author Regi Campbell writes, More time, spent with fewer people, equals greater Kingdom impact. Though any man ages 20-33 is encouraged to be part, priority will be given: (1) To members of the Lebanon Road church of Christ, (2) To members of the church of Christ, (3) To men who are married/fathers. If you do not fit these priorities but wish to be part of the mentoring program, please apply. These are just priorities, and do not mean that we will only take men who fit these three categories. Single men, college students, those who are not Christians, and those who may worship somewhere other than Lebanon Road are welcome to apply to be included in the group of eight. *Please note that meetings will happen monthly around Nashville, so you must be from the greater Nashville/Middle Tennessee area in order to make this work.

What is expected of those involved?

We will hold each man involved to high expectations. While certain weaknesses will become known through the work and discussion of the group, leaders are those who grow, so both I as the leader and the group as a whole will hold each member to high Biblical standards of leadership, morals, and communication. Each man involved will be required to do all of the following, or will forfeit their place in the mentoring group. 1. Meet once per month as a group. You must attend these meetings at the Faughn house, which will occur one evening each month, and supper will be provided at no cost to you. At these 150minute meetings (2 hours), you are expected to: Be on time, since punctuality is a sign of responsibility. Have completed the reading for each month, and provide a copy of your reaction sheet (provided each month) for each member of the group. Have memorized the 2-5 verses of Scripture that are assigned to help you mature in your faith and in that area of your life. Be willing to discuss your reaction to not only the book, but the topic in general.

2. Read 12 books (one per month) on a variety of leadership topics. These books are listed under the section of this document called costs (next page). They have been chosen, not because they are infallible, but because they facilitate thought, discussion, and (hopefully) life change. Failure to read the books will require one to leave the group. As many have noted, Leaders are readers. NOTE: This is a mentoring group, not a book club, but the books are required reading. These will provide each one involved with information and will help facilitate discussion, but the focus of the meetings will be on the men present, not on the authors words. 3. Meet with Adam in a one-on-one setting 6 times during the year (every other month) for lunch. These meetings will be held at the Lebanon Road church of Christ building, and each man (including Adam) is required to provide his own lunch. These meetings will last 45 minutes and can be on any day that is convenient for both Adam and the participant. These will be informal, but there will be serious discussion of needed areas of life. 4. Attend Spiritual Renewal Weekend at Polishing the Pulpit. This event in Sevierville, Tennessee will begin on Friday evening, August 17, and conclude with Sunday morning worship on August 19. Each man is responsible for all travel, food, registration, and hotel costs. This is by far the most expensive part of the mentoring process, but is a vital part. Each man will be allowed to select the classes he wishes to attend throughout the weekend, but will also need to provide proof of attending the sessions in the form of notes from at least three of the sessions attended, to be distributed to the group at the next meeting. The reason this is required is to put each man around hundreds of great leaders in Gods Kingdom, and to provide a get away from the regular grind of life, as Saturday afternoon each person who attends is free to explore the area around Sevierville, or just to relax. 5. Attend the final meeting in December, where we graduate all who have completed the process. At this night, which will last 3 hours instead of the usual 2 hours, we will spend much time in prayer, and will challenge you to go forward. 6. Be held to total confidence. Naturally, in such a group, there will be certain things discussed that could be embarrassing or hurtful. Our goal is to reprimand (with Scripture) only where necessary. Our major goal is to build up for future maturity. There will be no public spectacles made of anyone in the group. What is said in the group will stay with the group. This will be strictly enforced. 7. Mentor in the future. Each man, upon applying, is signing a form stating that, sometime after the age of 33, he will begin a similar mentoring group at least once in his life. If he is married, his wife is also required to sign this form and hold him to this promise.

Costs
The group is not meant to cost financially in a major way, but each man involved will be required to pay for three things throughout the year. The total cost should total less than $500. 1. Reading materials. Each month, a book will be required to be read before the meeting (exception is January). Each man is required to get these books on his own. Here are the books, as well as current costs on Amazons Kindle store. Month Topic, Book (Author) Cost (Amazon Kindle) Not on Kindle: free ebook delivered via email 9.99 8.32 7.99 9.99

January

Organization, Creating Your Personal Life Plan

(Michael Hyatt)

February March April May

June July August September October

November December

Courage, Stepping Up: A Call to (Dennis Rainey) Courageous Manhood Character, Who You Are When No Ones Looking (Bill Hybles) Priorities, Choosing to Cheat (Andy Stanley) Family/Husband, Fighting for Your Marriage (Howard Markman, Scott Stanley, & Susan Blumberg) Encouragement/Talents, The Barnabas Factor (Aubrey Johnson) Temptation, Sex is Not the Problem (Lust is) (Joshua Harris) Leadership, The Servant: A Simple Story (James C. Hunter) about the True Essence of Leadership Family/Fatherhood, Point Man (Steve Farrar) Health, The Power of Full Engagement: (Jim Loehr & Managing Energy, Not Time, is the Key to High Tony Schwartz) Performance and Personal Renewal Community, Samson and the Pirate Monks (Nate Larkin) Graduation Meeting: Finishing Strong: Going (Steve Farrar) The Distance for Your Family

8.54 9.99 12.99 13.99 12.99

8.99 10.99

2. Polishing the Pulpit. Each man is required to attend the Spiritual Renewal Weekend of Polishing the Pulpit. The cost includes registration (about $125), hotel (varies depending on where you choose to stay), food (varies), and the fuel to get to and from Sevierville. 3. Lunch with Adam. These meals do not have to cost anything, but are listed here in case a man wishes to purchase lunch. Regular lunch meetings (as schedules allow) are required by each man. He is required to provide his own meal in these one-on-one sessions. I will provide mine.

A Personal Statement
I have spent a lot of time recently thinking about the connection between manhood and godliness. I have read several books and articles, as well as just observing the world in which we live. Personally, I have not been fully satisfied with how I am doing in some areas, but I still want to share what I have learned with others, because the world in which we live is crying out for real men of God to step up and lead. It is my goal through this program to help men younger than I to grow more mature in Christ, and to give them a stronger sense of who God has called them to be as men, congregational leaders, business leaders, husbands, fathers, and members of the community at large. I will profit nothing financially from this program (nor is that my desire), but I know each of those involved (including me) will profit both in leadership skills and in eternal rewards. You and I will have time, money, and effort invested in the program, and we will reap a great reward. As we see those rewards, so will our families, congregations, and communities. My goal in life is to be like Christ, and if He was willing to invest Himself in the growth of men, then so must I. If you want to mature in your walk with Christ, I firmly believe that you need someone on whom you can call, and others in whom you can confide. It is my prayer that this group will provide that for you, and that you will then provide the same to others in the future. If you know this is for you, apply. Together, lets grow closer to what God wants us to be. Adam Faughn

Application and Agreement

[If you sign*** this document and return it to Adam, you are doing two things. First, you are applying to be one of the eight men to be mentored. Second, you are agreeing to uphold all parts of the program and to be fully engaged.]

I, _______________________________, hereby am applying to be involved in the mentoring group lead by Adam Faughn. Upon being selected as one of the participants, I agree to the following: I am a firm believer in Christ and am willing to give my all to His cause. I am one who believes that family is of the utmost importance and am willing to make those in my family my top priority outside of Christ. I desire to be a servant-leader like Jesus Christ in my home, congregation, and community. I will be present and punctual for all meetings. Only serious illness, death in the family, or a clear sign of Divine Providence will keep me from attending. This includes all types of meetings required by the program: in-home group meetings, one-on-one lunch sessions, and Spiritual Renewal Weekend at Polishing the Pulpit. I will complete all readings and assignments ahead of time. I will be open in discussion, but will honor each members confidentially. I will mentor at least one group in the future, after I am at least 33 years of age, to continue the example of Jesus Christ among men who desire leadership and wisdom. Name _____________________________________ Signature _________________________________ Date______________________________________ Preferred email address______________________ If you are married, your spouse must agree to and sign this statement: I, ________________________, do pledge my full support of my husband as he seeks mentoring in Christian leadership. I understand this program will require a sacrifice of time, money, and energy, but I will support this as an investment in our familys future. I will provide words of encouragement as I see growth and maturity in my husband. Name___________________________________ Signature_________________________________ Date____________________________________ ***If you are reading this online, an email to adfaughn AT gmail DOT com pledging your signature will suffice, provided you bring the signed form to the first meeting, should you be one of the chosen participants.