One of the greatest things you can do for your ministry is find a mentor. The value of a mentor in your life is immeasurable. Stay in ministry for longer than a day or two and you will find yourself overwhelmed. A mentor can help guide you when you are unsure of where to turn or what to do.

Without someone pouring into you, you will withdraw and hide many things that need to be brought to light and dealt with in order to be effective. In their book, “Gospel Coach: Shepherding Leaders to Glorify God” (a great book), Scott Thomas and Tom Wood give the following list of 20 issues that Christian leaders often hide. They should serve as a worthy warning and reminder for all Christian leaders to seek out someone who will faithfully invest in them.

1.  I’m really just average in my skills.
2.  I’m often not sure what I’m supposed to be doing.
3.  I have hidden emotional issues, some of which are derived from my relationship with my father and my mother.
4.  I’m often motivated by self-glory.
5.  I’m battling sin constantly (and losing occasionally).
6.  I work way too much.
7.  I have an inconsistent spiritual life.
8.  People get on my nerves.
9.  My marriage is average.
10.  I’m not sure if I’m a good dad/mom/husband/wife.
11.  I really don’t find joy in my job.
12.  I’m too young and inexperienced/my best days are behind me.
13.  I’m really uncomfortable around unsaved people.
14.  I don’t have a close friend I can trust.
15.  I rely on my position and guilt to get people to do things.
16.  I make decisions without prayer or consulting others.
17.  I waste my time on trivial matters.
18.  I am often more concerned about myself than others.
19.  I’m struggling financially.
20.  I’m often temped sexually.

Can you identify any of these that you have a tendency to hide? What others would you add to the list? Why do you think these things are so often hidden by Christian Leaders? Leave a comment and share:

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