The Significance of Training & Mentorship

Copyright 2010 Theresa Harvard Johnson

Father showed me that many believers are STILL looking at training from the perspective of a worldly or carnal definition. Godly leaders DO NOT see training as it is defined in the mind's of men.

The standard definition for "training" is this: An education; the acquisition of knowledge, skills, and competencies as a result of the teaching of vocational or practical skills; to be shaped or disciplined through training.

While this aspect of training does go forth in a ministry environment, there's a spiritual level that we must grasp above this. You see, training in the bible wasn't solely about "skill, knowledge or a vocation" -- whether you were learning to be a carpenter or to be a prophet. The bible's strategy for training is rooted in "apprenticeship and/or mentorship."

Apprenticeship or mentorship is the "system" by which a person who is learning a craft, trade or skill is instructed by a MASTER for a set time under set conditions. It is the art of not only learning the skills for the craft and how to move in it -- but it is GARNERING THE WISDOM & COUNSEL of the master craftsman.

Anyone can take a class to learn about becoming a pastor or a prophet, but when you study under the ANOINTING of that pastor or a prophet it moves you from a place of knowledge to a place of IMPARTATION. This is understanding of training that the people of God need to obtain.

You see, every authentic school of ministry in the early church was built on the concept of apprenticeship – not carnal-minded training. Jesus brought this home with the structure of His ministry with the disciples. This discussion is not about the USE of the word training -- but about the condition of one's mind concerning TRAINING. The ministers that I am in intimate relationship with who hold training classes, schools of ministry, etc. know what "ministry training" is all about. They move in the realm of impartation -- not education regardless of what they call what they do.

You see, most people go to Bible College with their mind -- no their heart and spirit. They get ton's of knowledge and information, but the God-kind of impartation doesn't always take place unless (1) they know who they are before entering in, or (2) they connect with instructors on an intimate, mentoring level. Again, the body of Christ is finding itself moving further and further away from the BEAUTY of the call to ministry -- to make disciples.

God-sent leaders are NEVER looking to just TRAIN PEOPLE, but to impart through that SPECIFIC ASSIGNMENT they've been given at the hand of the Lord concerning your life. Jesus' entire ministry was a ministry of IMPARTATION.

Take a look at the word "impart." It means to: to make known; tell; relate; disclose: to impart a secret. 2. to give; bestow; communicate: to impart knowledge. 3. to grant a part or share of

I absolutely love the definition in red.

Jesus bestowed SECRETS to His disciples during their training. These men received MORE than teaching -- they received through this man's LIFE and the EVIDENCE of His ministry. They learned FROM RELATIONSHIP. When you are "trained" from the perspective of the scriptures YOU will be CRUSHED.

When I look at the patriarchs in the bible and those they mentored like – Moses and Joshua; Elijah and Elisha; Samuel and Saul; Jesus and Peter-James-John; Peter-James-John and Paul; Paul and Luke/Timothy/Titus/Onesimus, etc. I realized that they weren't trained from man's mental perspective, they were mentored. These men became apprentices or proteges of their teacher.

Now, to ask "are we really humble" is to really ask the Lord, "Am I willing to allow Father to show me why I'm studying under this leader and when HE SHOWS ME can I submit to their direction?" In true spiritual training, the "mentee" submits to the directives of the mentor. There will be things the Lord will tell that leader to require of those in the midst. It could be as simple as saying, "I want you to participate in the scribal anointing group weekly."

Well, if the mentee comes back and says, "I don't believe the Lord is telling me to do this right now," then there's is no humility or submission. Most people JUST WANT TRAINING to meet their own agendas -- they do not want that God-kind of training which involves becoming an apprentice to a master. (Don't get the word "master" twisted here. The bible speaks of being a master and having students learn under that master.)

You see, the directives a Godly mentor gives in the midst of training PRODUCES FRUIT. It produces the character of servanthood which is the character of Christ. If a person can't be trained in the most basic of ways through obedience, TRUE IMPARTATION will never take place.

You do not GROW into humility. You do not GET humility. HUMILITY is produced by forced humbling of one's self. It is the walk of death, and the denial of one's own desires. It is the FOUNDATION of being teachable.

Father gave me something simple to live by. He said, "Prophet, if you're thirsty I will fill you. I will fill you to overflowing. How thirsty are you?"

Because I am thirsty for the Lord, and pursue instruction after my Godly teacher. I SHOW UP at the meetings and class times. I SHOW UP on the calls. I PARTICIPATE in the group! I ATTEND intercessory prayer, and whatever is required when I'm able. When I show up, I participate! Jesus said to Peter --- IF YOU LOVE ME feed my sheep. Father said if you are a follower of me, OBEY MY WORD.

It's time to get out of the "carnal" training mindset as believers. The question remaining now is this: "Do you want training or impartation?"

There are a lot of people running around with undeveloped and immature ministries – lacking accountability, stability and the impartation of wisdom and accountability. They want all the leaders knowledge and information, but they don't want the SPIRIT OF GOD that undergirds it. Like Jesus, we need to know who is that close knit group (like his 12) and pour all that we have into them, sparing nothing. Then we need to know who those 70 are... those that come for some information and a little knowledge.

With this said, only those who are seeking true impartation can answer the questions Chantay posted. They must decide WHY certain people are in their lives when in council with the Lord, and then choose what He reveals.

Truly, it's time to move from training to reigning... and the key will always be impartation (the revealing of secrets) through relationship.