Kwame Boakye Kwanin

Culturally Sensitive Mentoring Approach to Ministry: a Guide to Christ-centered Mentoring Principles and Community Relations for Church Leaders: an African Perspective Kwame Boakye Kwanin

The spirituality of God's people and their commitment to the virtues of Christ are, in many respects, a reminiscent of the spirituality, efficiency, and effectiveness of pastors and elders who do ministry in Christ's stead. Their preparation for the gospel work is therefore crucial. Christ took the Twelve and mentored them in their own background in order for them to establish the vibrant apostolic church. God's way of leadership emphasizes ?in favor with God and man? (Luke 2:52b RSV). Thus, the gospel must be relevant to people too. Edward R. Dayton and David A. Fraser have written that ?Our ?field' is not a merely geographical location. In actuality it is people.? Culturally Sensitive Mentoring Approach to Ministry provides contextualized mentoring principles devoid of syncretism. Kwame affirms that Church leadership training should go beyond the seminary. It must incorporate the socio-cultural understanding of the community where leaders serve. Such practical training must be given by senior pastors with accumulated wisdom and experience in Christ to young pastors, who are vulnerable to frustrations in ministry,to deepen pastoral relationship in order to impact their communities.