As
I was doing some research for a course I will teach this summer for Central
Baptist Theological Seminary in Shawnee, I came across a concept that I have
not thought a great deal about, and I found information about it in an
interesting place. First of all, the
concept is “apprenticing.” The idea was
much more common in a world where there were no trade schools, community
colleges, or employee training programs. Although it has certainly been around
since the beginning of civilization, the idea of apprenticeship took off in the
Middle Ages. A master craftsman would
enter into an arrangement with a youngster fifteen or sixteen years of age and
teach that apprentice a trade such as blacksmithing, baking, etc. After a certain number of years and proven
competence, the student would either become a journeyman practitioner of the
trade or set up his own workshop.
The
second surprise is that I found a great explanation of apprenticing in a
podcast by pastor Andy Stanley. Stanley
is both a committed student and gifted practitioner of leadership. He provides some good insights in his podcast. In this case, he talked about the challenge
he gives to every staff member to “teach someone to take your place.” In other words, practice apprenticeship in
your ministry.
In
Stanley’s presentation, he suggests three stages in apprenticing—selecting,
modeling, and coaching. A leader should
take time in finding a person who is talented, motivated, and teachable. Once that person is identified, he or she
should spend time with the leader observing how he or she practices ministry,
asking questions, and learning both philosophy and techniques. Finally, the apprentice begins doing the work
and receiving coaching or feedback. The coaching
in this model is much more hands-on and directive than in the usual life coaching
relationship since the leader is really trying to instill something new into
the life of the learner.
As
Stanley points out, leaders are called not only to be learners but to be
teachers as well. The best way to
encourage a new generation of leaders is to invest in available, gifted, and
teachable people by sharing one’s own experience and knowledge.
Comments
It seems to me that the successor aspect of the master-apprentice relationship between Jesus and his disciples is unfortunately overshadowed by the subsequently evolved understanding of Jesus' divinity. But with Jesus evidently aware of where the arc of his life was taking him, the follower-successor aspect of the relationship would seem unlikely to be far from hin mind, ...indeed perhaps the reason for selecting 12, given the uncertainties and diverse aptitudes and capacities for understanding present in human kind.