Two weeks ago I attended the second session of CECL - a kind of continuing-ed program for pastors at the Green Lake (WI) Conference Center. CECL has been awesome - both in the relationships I am building/expanding, as well as in the content we're taking in.

The first speaker of this CECL session was Tom Bandy. Bandy had some great insight throughout his talks, but one quote in particular has been sticking with me. Here it is: "People are not looking for the best church programs - they are looking for credible mentors." In church/ministry life, it is so easy to spend our efforts constantly trying to refine the wheel of programs that we are offering. In one sense, that's alright and good, because those programs can provide a genuine connection point for people. But it seems that when we make "better church programs" the ultimate goal, we end up perpetuating a system more than we are focused on seeing lives changed.

I resonate with Bandy's thought that people are looking for credible mentors. I know that is true for me. Besides the numerous people that have spoken into my life, one of the blessings of this season is that I have a ministry coach through the CECL program. My wife, Andrea has a similar blessing of a ministry coach that she is working with on her own. Our coaches don't have all the answers - their main job is to ask great questions that help us go back to God to find direction, meaning, and growth as people and as leaders.

Through those experiences (and in considering Bandy's quote) I've been thinking more seriously about how to foster an environment where people can be mentored into the fullness of life, love and purpose that Jesus offers. To me, that seems different than just being a church with some good programs. Right now, I have more questions than I do solutions about how to achieve that goal... but it feels significant to me, and worth pursuing.