Spiritual Mentoring: Guest Post

 

Below is a guest post from our Spiritual Mentoring leader Curtis Preik. This will give you some of the information that will be shared during our next Spiritual Mentoring seminar.

We hope to see you there! 

Things We Believe . . . About People

People were created by God after God's own spiritual image. People are the highest work of God's creation. Being made in the image of God, people have enormous potential for good, but have freely chosen to disobey God and go against God's will for their life. This disobedience and rebellion is called sin, and is an attitude and lifestyle that separates people from God. All individuals suffer from this corruption and are in need of the saving grace of God. People were created to exist forever. They will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or in union with God through forgiveness and salvation. Death seals the eternal destiny of each person. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life. Heaven and Hell are places of eternal existence. 

What would it be like to have no shame or regrets, to have nothing to hide? To be innocent like Adam and Eve after their creation in the Garden of Eden?

What would it mean for our families, churches, communities, and nations if it were possible to return to this innocence once again?

What is the primary hurdle preventing us from healing broken relationships?

How do we get beyond this hurdle?

Event

Spiritual Mentor/Mentee August Meeting

Saturday, Aug 11, 2012

http://www.mecklenburg.org/upcoming.asp

Editor's Note: The Community Care ministry provides emotional and spiritual support. There is a pastor or community care leader available to speak with you today. If you have questions regarding the Community Care ministries please contact communitycare@mecklenburg.org or 704.598.9800 x 121. You may also learn more at the Community Care website and our upcoming events page.

10 ways to PROTECT your Marriage!

I love marriage. I love the Biblical outline of marriage, I love the relational principles of a life-long commitment, and I also love the challenge.

The challenge is the closer we get to someone the more of our own sin that is shown.  Our spouses see us for who we are, seeing us in our very best and very worst moments in life. The beautiful thing is that this is a mirror to us to be able to see sin in ourselves and our relationships.   We may not have even known the sin existed previously. Therefore, marriage can be a wonderful sanctification process. 

Since there are so many beautiful things that can come from marriage, marriage is an area that is a MAJOR target for our ENEMY. This enemy wants to steal the blessings that come from a marital relationship and destroy the family that has been formed.

I not only love marriage, I love working with marital couples. Throughout the past years of doing this I have seen patterns where our enemy found a "hole" in a relationship and entered and started his work of destruction.

Here are TEN common holes the Enemy comes through and ways to plug them fast!  

1. Being upfront with each other.  If you have had a possible improper interaction with a person of the opposite sex (i.e. could be interpreted as flirting, etc.) or there is an issue in the relationship let your spouse know (always with the spirit of reconciliation and not to "get your way"). 
2. Weekly Date Nights.  This looks different for each couple but be sure to have quality time engaging each other weekly (daily is better). 
3. Spiritual protection.  Pray for the relationship and each other.  Pray to be delivered from our Enemy, for protection for your relationship and ask your spouse how you can be praying for them. 
4. Self-esteem.  Do not let a day go by without reconfirming for the other one that they are loved and you are thankful they are your spouse.  One simple way to do this is to make a commitment to give your spouse at least one genuine compliment each day.  It is a small thing that goes a LONG way. 
5. Mums the word!  Be careful what you tell to others about your relationship (i.e. family members, co-workers, etc.).  It is common to have a disagreement with a spouse, tell a family member, you and your spouse make up and the family member is still upset.  This can cause significant problems.  
6. Speak highly of your spouse!  Remember to be your spouse's biggest fan.  Be mindful about what you say to others (i.e. to family members, co-workers, friends, etc.).  
7. Be mindful of distractions.  Be mindful of anything that takes time away from the relationship (i.e. computer, games, phone, children, work, etc.).  Be sure to not let EVERYTHING else crowd out the time and energy you need to reserve for your spouse.  
8. Say NO to flirting!  If an outsider breaks a boundary (i.e. opposite sex flirts) the spouse receiving this needs to be upfront with stopping this ASAP.  Remember, when this happens it is not of God but from the Enemy!  
9. What are you fighting for?  When you are about to have a disagreement, in the middle of one, or even after ask yourself, “What am I fighting for”. Is this Godly or Un-Godly?  Is this for reconciliation, to get my way, etc.  
10. Pray for God to teach you how to LOVE your spouse.  Let God guide you and study your spouse.  Pray not only for the wisdom to know the actions to take but also pray for the heart to complete those actions.   

Do you know of another "hole" our enemy uses and a way to "plug" this?  

Share your thoughts!

Our Enemy

Let me let you in on some statements that I have
heard recently:

• Love is Love no matter the form

• He came right when I needed him; it was a blessing from God

These statements were by different people and about completely different topics. What was so interesting though is with each of these statements there was a commonality. With each one our Enemy was pretending to be God. These individuals were saying these situations were of God and the truth is they were not.

How do I know it was not of God you may ask?

Because it went directly against God’s word. When I was reflecting on these situations a few thoughts came to me about sin, our enemy and about God:

• Our Enemy will come in whatever package possible to cause temptation and to destroy (1 Peter 5:8)

• This includes packages that look on the outside to be “good”; a “blessing”; even “godly” (i.e. wolves in sheep’s clothing – Matthew 7: 15 - 20)

• We will know something that is Godly by their fruit (do they point to Christ in their behavior, actions, etc.) (Matthew 7: 17 – 19)

• We also need to know scripture so we will not be destroyed and fall into one of our Enemy’s traps (Hosea 4:6)

• Evil is REAL; this is not a fantasy; a war is REALLY going on (Ephesians 6:12)

• If you are in relationship with Christ as your Lord and Leader you have nothing to FEAR! (Romans 8)

If you are a person that wants to learn more about Christ or has questions about Christ please contact us today! Also, if you would like to learn more about these topics and about scripture let us be of help to you!


Resources

Mecklenburg Community Church

Community Care

Meck Institute

Mentors: Financial (Part 3 of 4)

Within the previous weeks we have explored the Mentor Ministry areas within Community Care.  We have reviewed aspects and opportunities associated with Spiritual and Marriage Mentors.  This week the focus is on Financial mentors (also known a money coaches).

In the current financial landscape, more and more people will find themselves needing to know and apply God's financial principles.  Coaches voluntarily serve others by assisting married couples and individuals in applying Biblical financial principles to their lives. Coaching participants receive personal instruction in applying the principles to their situation.  The goals of Money Map coaching are:
    1. To assist coaching participants in constructing and living on a budget.
    2. To assist coaching participants in applying biblical principles of stewardship to all aspects of life.
    3. To communicate the vision of financial freedom.
    4. To assist coaching participants with a practical plan for becoming debt free.
    5. To provide practical and Godly financial counsel to families and individuals.

Money Map Coaching is not…
    1. Investment coaching or retirement planning.
    2. Marriage or family coaching.
    3. Legal counsel or estate planning.
    4. Intervention with creditors.
    5. Benevolence.

The qualifications of a Money Map coach are:
    Mature Christian.
    Committed to being financially faithful and living on a budget.
    Willing to be trained.
    Gifted in teaching/coaching
    Team-minded and willing to operate under authority.
    Member of Mecklenburg Community Church

The Money Map Coaching program is run by Crown Financial Ministries.  Coaches go through a 12 week self-study course offered by Crown.  The training provides a solid understanding of scriptural principles of finance, consumer laws, and techniques of budget and debt coaching and equips coaches to effectively help people to budget and eliminate debt.  The training course contains case studies, coaching procedures, credit information, resource material covering more than 100 topics, and a detailed glossary of financial terms. Assignments combine biblical principles and practical application homework. 

Crown also has a ten-week Financial Biblical Study which we offer regularly through the Meck Institute.  Going through the Crown study is generally the first step to becoming a part of the Financial ministry team at Meck.  It's not strictly required to be a coach, but we recommend it as this is the best way to gain a feeling for what we teach and to solidify your own knowledge as well. 

 
Resources

If you are interested in the Crown Financial Ministries, the Dave Ramsey Program,  receiving a Financial mentor or becoming a financial mentor please contact Community Care today!

Mentors: Marriage (Part 2 of 4)

Last week we explored what Spiritual Mentors were and how to be involved within being a mentor or mentee.  This week the focus is on Marriage Mentors! 

Within Community Care at Mecklenburg Community Church, trained marriage mentors are available to help you at every stage of your relationship.  This includes three major areas:


1)  Preparing:  Mentoring Engaged and Newlywed Couples
2)  Maximizing:  Mentoring Couples from Good to Great
3)  Repairing:  Mentoring Couples in Distress

The training that our marriage mentor's go through includes topics such as:

*Building Rapport
*Working as a team
*Asking Meaningful Questions
*Telling Your Stories
*Praying Together
*Common Subjects to Explore with Your Marriage Mentorees
*And much more!..

If you are interested in receiving information on how to obtain a marriage mentor, how to become a marriage mentor or simply want additional information about the program please contact communitycare@mecklenburg.org today!

Resources

The Complete Guide to Marriage Mentoring - Drs. Les & Leslie Parrot

Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts - Drs. Les & Leslie Parrot

Mentors: Spiritual (Part 1 of 4)

Within Community Care at Mecklenburg Community Church we have several different mentor programs.  These include:

1.  Spiritual Mentors

2.  Marriage Mentors

3.  Career Mentors

4.  Financial Mentors

Over the next 4 weeks we will explore each one of these to give you more information on these resources!  Spiritual mentors are trained to help individuals grow spiritually through an individual mentoring relationship.  Spiritual mentors receive training on various resources such as different spiritual growth and gift inventories, how to give support to the mentees, and how to keep the focus on this being a partnership in learning.  

Overall the Mentors role is to:

*Serve as a guide, role model, teacher, and encourager

*Offer accountability

*Provide resources

*Focus on the spiritual growth needs of the mentee

Overall the Mentees role is to:
*Identify spiritual growth needs
*Be willing to learn and grow
*Set specific goals
*Solicit mentor's assistance

Learn more about your spiritual gifts, abiding in Christ, living by God's word, praying in faith, building God honoring relationships, witnessing to the world and ministering to others through a spiritual mentor!  This is a very special and significant relationship to have to help an individual grow spiritually!

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen. 2 Peter 3:18 (NIV)

Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly.  For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 1 Timothy 4: 7- 8 (NIV)

Resources

Community Care:  704.598.9800 x 121; communitycare@mecklenburg.org