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What’s the difference between a mentor and a spiritual coach?

Finding a mentor is not a complicated proposition, but finding a spiritual coach usually is. The reason is that mentors help people acquire competencies, whereas spiritual coaches touch the deepest parts of a person. It’s like comparing a general practitioner with a neurologist. Working with a sp…
By Seth Barnes
By Seth Barnes
Finding a mentor is not a complicated proposition, but finding a spiritual coach usually is. The reason is that mentors help people acquire competencies, whereas spiritual coaches touch the deepest parts of a person. It’s like comparing a general practitioner with a neurologist. Working with a spiritual coach requires a deeper level of trust than does working with a mentor since they address issues that often involve that tenderest of personal areas: your identity.
 
And as rare as spiritual coaches may be, finding one you click with is especially difficult. In time, they may actually become a spiritual father (or mother) to you, one who actually helps birth the kingdom of God in you.
 
When I went looking for a mentor, at age 35, I didn’t understand this distinction. I just knew that I needed help to grow. I failed four times before God directed my steps to someone who has been more of a spiritual father than a mentor or even a coach.
 
The first of my would-be mentors was a successful businessman who saw me struggling and intervened by meeting with me as I was getting AIM off the ground. If I had to do it over again, I would have gone to these meetings better prepared, and I would have taken more initiative.

My second and third mentor candidates were famous Christian speakers. I was attracted to their message and figured they must have something to help me grow. One of them has died since then and the other flat out said, “No, I don’t really disciple people.”

He went on to become president of the fastest growing Christian college in the country – an irony, I thought. Tomorrow, I’ll relate the story of my last mentor candidate.

Comments (8)

  • Sean June WR

    Thanks for writing on this topic Seth! It has been pressing upon my heart more than ussual! I’m thankful for your thoughts and look forward to the next blog!

  • Uche Izuora

    Yeah…next lines on this topic Seth. This issue and “debriefing” led me to your site months back. Can’t wait to read all you’ve got on this. It’s a very rear topic here.

  • seth

    Sean – you know i’m going to be in your life for a while!

    Uche – thanks. hope it helps. i’ve skinned my knees more than a few times.

  • Sarah W

    forever I have been asking God to send me a mentor, but the funny part is that when I pray,I described a spiritual coach, till I looked it up and read the article Radical Living. Thank you kindly now I know what to ask for. God Bless.

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Seth Barnes

I'm motivated to join God in his global reclamation project. He's on the move, setting his sons and daughters free from their places of captivity. And he's partnering with those of us who have been freed to go and free others.

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