Mentor Interviews
Michael Simmons
LEAD510: Biblical Foundations of Leadership (B02)
June 8, 2025
Contents
Introduction....................................................................................................................................1
Compare and Contrast Mentor Interviews.....................................................................................3
Conclusion......................................................................................................................................6
Bibliography....................................................................................................................................8
1
Introduction
The word “mentor” is synonymous with trusted leader, advisor, counselor. Throughout
the Bible, there are many instances of mentor / mentee relationships. Some examples are
Moses and Joshua (Exodus), Elijah and Elisha (1 and 2 Kings), Jesus mentored the Apostles (the
Gospels). Even after the Crucifixion, there are instances such as Paul and Timothy (Acts). These
examples illustrate the importance of passing on the wisdom and knowledge to a successor in
order to further Gods purpose for all of us.
Throughout life, there are times when all human beings rely on others for guidance,
especially during childhood and adolescence. The mental and spiritual development of younger
minds are essential for development to adulthood. During childhood, humans look to their
parents and older siblings for guidance. As they grow, they seek counsel from other people such
as school counselors, coaches, and even friends.
In adulthood, humans rely on the counsel of others for personal success and to help
them through life’s challenges. A counselor, sponsor, or mentor (regardless of the title) is a
person who people look to for trusted advise and guidance. It is a person with experience and
wisdom that can help others spiritually, professionally, and even in relationships. The mentor
may be professionally trained in a specific profession, hold specific degrees and licenses in a
specific field, or the mentor may just be a trusted advisor; someone with life experiences and
wisdom.
In this technologically advanced society today, the role of a mentor/ mentee relationship
is more important than ever before.1 Human interaction is on the decline. The importance of
1 Sharma Et. El., The Importance of Sponsorship and Mentorship, 2019
2
face to face counsel for a persons’ professional and mental growth could not be stressed
enough.
Human development can be greatly advanced by the help of other humans. This is a gift that is
given to us by God. Humans were designed by God to be around other humans and have a
“helper” (Genesis 2:18, NIV, Biblica Inc., 2011).
The mentor should possess specific qualities that other people seek. The mentor should
have the ability to develop a relationship with the mentee on a personal and professional level.
The mentee must be able to trust their mentor within the parameters of the setting2. The
relationship must always remain professional but the mentor should be able to demonstrate
compassion and honesty. There should always be specific guidelines and expectations set at the
beginning for the relationship to be successful. The mentor should have a plan to help the
mentee reach specific goals and there should be milestones and expectations for the mentee to
reach.
Ineffective mentorship could lead to negative consequences for both individuals.3
Regardless of the setting; at work, church, or in a formal therapy type session, there
should always be specific guidelines or rules to govern the relationship. There must be an
understanding between both parties that the relationship can be discontinued by either person
at any time for any reason. There should be an agreed upon designated time and place where
the two will meet. The mentor should make it clear to the mentee the type of sessions to
expect. The mentee should be aware of expectations, accountability, confidentiality, and
2 Sharma Et. El., The Importance of Sponsorship and Mentorship, 2019
3 Sharma Et. El., The Importance of Sponsorship and Mentorship, 2019
3
whether are not he/she will be evaluated. These are all important aspects that must be
understood for the relationship to proceed in a productive manner.
The mentor/ mentee relationship can have many advantages. This relationship can help
shape careers, save a marriage, or even lead a person to God. This relationship does require a
dedication from both parties but the end result may be very rewarding. God will bless the
mentor for helping a person make Godly choices. The Bible says “The one who blesses others is
abundantly blessed” (Proverbs 11:25).
Compare and Contrast Mentor Interviews
An interview was conducted with Pastor Rand and Pastor Truitt. Both of these mentors were
identified in the first assignment. In comparison, both mentors have similar backgrounds. Both
mentors have received formal education from respected universities. Both were ordained ministers
of the Christian faith. Both have over 20 years’ experience in Christian ministry and have counselled
many people with a variety of issues. The Lord gave both of these men the capacity and the gift of
leadership. These two pastors both lead Godly ministries with integrity.
In both instances, the mentor/ mentee relationship can be initiated by the mentor or the
mentee. At church, they may be approached by someone in need of guidance. It may be a junior
pastor or lay person or it has been members of the congregation. Both pastors have an “open door”
policy. Both pastors said they allow the Holy Spirit to guide them and trust that they will increase
the knowledge and wisdom of their mentees as God sees fit.
4
Pastor Rand has mentored several young and upcoming junior pastors to help prepare them
for ministry. This type of pastoral mentorship is usually formal. Meetings would occur weekly or
biweekly in a private office at the church. Goals and expectations would be established and
monitored. Pastor Rand would discuss his observations and offer advice and suggestions. He would
then assign certain objectives for the junior pastors to meet before the next meeting. Pastor Rand
would decide when the Mentee has reached the set standards agreed upon and when he is ready
for the next step.
Pastor Truitt works at a local hospital as the Hospice Chaplain. In this instance, the mentor
relationship is usually initiated by the patient. The hospital will assign Pastor Truitt to patients at
their request. Pastor Truitt will normally travel to the patient’s home or care facility depending on
the patient’s location. He will assist the patient and family members as needed with spiritual
counsel to help them ease the pain of the impending passing of the patient.
With Pastor Rand, when mentoring a junior pastor, the most difficult aspect of the
relationship is being honest with the mentee when he knows the honesty is going to hurt. But he
agrees that it must be done. In every instance, the mentee should be told what they are doing right.
But, they must also be told what they are doing wrong. Honesty must be the standard even if it
hurts the mentee’s feelings. Many times, the mentee will not know their mistakes until they are
told. Jesus was quick to be brutally honest with His disciples when He heard them arguing over who
would be the greatest. He quickly reminded them that greatness is demonstrated by service. (Luke
22: 24-30) True honesty in mentorship can help the mentee recognize their weaknesses and their
call to be a “mighty warrior”4.
For Pastor Truitt, there are many difficult situations to deal with as a hospice chaplain.
Knowing that your mentee is only looking for spiritual peace and salvation before they die must be
4 Howell, 2003, Servants of Servant: A Biblical Theology of Leadership, 53
5
very difficult. But, besides the obvious difficulties, one of the most difficult aspects of Pastor Truitt’s
situation is keeping confidentiality between the patient (mentee) and family members or hospice
staff. Often the family or hospital staff will question him about the discussions had with the patient.
He understands the importance of trust. He must maintain a balance between what should be
revealed to the hospice care team or family, and what must remain confidential between the
patient and him.
As a mentor and role model, he has to be able to convince the patient that he can be trusted. The
mentee must be able to have faith that his/ her confidentiality will be respected. Many times, the
patient will feel the need to confess sins that no one else knows or should know except him and
God. As part of the patient’s repentance and need for salvation, the patient may admit to
committing sins, that if known by loved ones, could be very hurtful. Some secrets are best kept
between them and God.
Anyone in a mentor relationship must recognize that a breach of trust can not only ruin the
relationship, but also ruin the reputation and cause others to think you cannot be trusted. Not only
is actual trust important between the mentor and mentee, but perceived trust must be positively
displayed to set an example for others.5 As leaders, we must remember that people are always
observing our actions and mannerisms. Perception is important.
The results from a mentor/ mentee relationship can be rewarding for both the mentor and
the mentee. The mentor can share knowledge with the mentee that they may have had to learn the
hard way. Often, this can prevent the mentee from making the same mistakes. The mentor should
always be preparing the mentee to be his/her replacement. If the mentor truly cares about the task
at hand, serving the Lord, and advancing the Kingdom, he/she will not be satisfied with having
5 Sons, 2016, The role of perceived management support and trust in mentors on protégés’ organizational
citizenship behavior, 484
6
doubts in the mentee’s abilities. If there is doubt, then the job is not complete. There is still work to
do.
Jesus prepared His disciples for 3 years. He gave them His knowledge to use after His
departure. He warned them of the hardships that they would suffer. He prepared them for their
mission and demonstrated this by showing them how to serve others. The training was successful
because we still follow Christ to this day. This is proof that Christ is Lord. Only through Him can we
receive salvation and that we should all pray for the Holy Spirit to guide us so that we can become
His disciples.
Pastor Rand said being a mentor to other future pastors is an honor and a blessing from
God. The greatest reward is seeing his mentees go on to become great pastors in their own right.
Seeing them succeed means that he succeeds. One of Jesus’ last commands before He ascended
into heaven was “Therefore, go make disciples” (Matthew 28:19) Seeing new pastors succeed is
rewarding and comforting knowing that God has worked through him just as He promised.
For Pastor Truitt, his greatest reward is seeing his patients come to Christ if they are not
already saved. He feels satisfied if the patent gleefully accepts the gospel. He feels a sense of relief
to help them tie up any loose ends in the physical world. He guides them through forgiveness and
letting go of any past resentments. His overall goal as the hospice chaplain is to help his patients die
a peaceful “good” death, satisfied with life and faithful to the Lord.
Conclusion
As a leader, we have influence over others. In home, at work, or in the church, people will
look to leaders for guidance and influence. Mentorship is a way to mold a person into the next
future leader. For the end goals to be met, we all need to prepare our replacements to pick up the
torch and keep moving forward. The type of leader we are and who replaces us can mean success or
7
failure. This is especially true in biblical leadership. I often think of instances where the church, gets
a bad rap because of the actions of a demon possessed pastor. Satan loves nothing more than to fill
the hearts of church leaders and pastors with evil. We must always remain diligent and put on the
full armor of God. (Ephesians 6:11)
The stages of effective mentor/ mentee relationships are initiation, negotiation, growth, and
closure.6 During my interviews, I noticed that in both instances, each leader followed a similar 6
Mentoring Complete, 2023, www.mentoringcomplete.com
pattern. In both cases, growth was the most important. As leaders, we want to see our “plant”
produce “fruit”. Success or failure can only be measured after the relationship has run its course and
the mentee are on their own.
For the results to be favorable, leaders should always remain humble and approach every
situation with prayer and supplication. I have experience of being on both sides. I have been a
mentor and a mentee. Not all relationships produced the results that I wished for. Jesus knew that
Judas would betray Him, but Jesus never treated Judas any different. Jesus knew His failure with
Judas would cause His crucifixion that resulted in Christianity (Gospels). Not all relationships will
ever produce fruit. But we must always try anyway. The Lord wants us to make disciples. Sometimes
our greatest successes will be in our failures.
8
Bibliography
Howell, D. N. (2003). Servants of the servant: a biblical theology of leadership. Wipf & Stock
Publishers.
Mentoring Complete (2023), www.mentoringcomplete.com , Website found at
https://www.mentoringcomplete.com/stages-of-a-mentor-mentee-relationship/ on June
3,
2025
Sharma, G., Narula, N., Ansari-Ramandi, M. M., & Mouyis, K. (2019). The Importance of
Mentorship and Sponsorship. JACC., 1(2), 232–234.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaccas.2019.06.007
Son, S., & Kim, D. (2016). The Role of Perceived Management Support and Trust in Mentors on
Protégés’ Organizational Citizenship Behavior. Asia Pacific Journal of Human
Resources., 54(4), 481–497. https://doi.org/10.1111/1744-7941.12103
