Reverse Mentoring - Hardcover

by Earl Creps (Author)

Earl Creps is known for his work in connecting the younger generation of postmoderns with their Boomer predecessors. The author of Off-Road Disciplines, Creps, in this new book, takes up the topic of how older church leaders can learn from younger leaders who are more conversant with culture, technology, and social context. In addition to making the benefits of what he calls "reverse mentoring" apparent, he also makes it accessible by offering practical steps to implement this discipline at both personal and organizational levels, particularly in communication, evangelism, and leadership.

Creps' new book is a topic of interest both inside and outside the church as older leaders realize that they're not "getting it" when it comes to technologies (iPod, IM, blogging) or cultural issues such as the fact that younger people see the world in an entirely different way. Creps has been personally involved in reverse mentoring for several years and has spoken and written on the subject extensively. He has pastored three churches (one Boomer, one Builder, on X'er) and is currently a church planter in Berkeley, California. He has also served as a consultant and and a seminary professor and administrator, holding a PhD in Communication Studies and a D.Min. from the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary.

Front Jacket

In this groundbreaking book, Earl Creps, the author of Off-Road Disciplines: Spiritual Adventures of Missional Leaders takes up the topic of how older ministry leaders can learn from younger peers who are in closer touch with today's culture, technology, and social climate. Throughout the book, Creps reveals the practical benefits of reverse mentoring and offers down-to-earth steps for implementing it at both the personal and the organizational level.

Reverse Mentoring offers a guide for leaders who want to experience personal formation by exercising the kind of humility that invites a younger person to become a tutor. The book invites older leaders to face uncomfortable truths--"I am not cool"--in order for them to cultivate spiritual growth and ministry effectiveness. It also includes insight into the kind of spirituality from which reverse mentoring draws its strength and which distinguishes it from just another value-added business tactic.

Earl Creps details specific benefits of reverse mentoring in areas such as evangelism, communication, and leadership, clearly showing how to develop healthy reverse mentoring relationships that will garner positive results.

Reverse Mentoring is a model for church leaders who understand the importance of learning from younger people to prevent functional obsolescence and to transform their leadership and mission.

Author Biography

THE AUTHOR

EARL CREPS has been a pastor, ministries consultant, and university professor. Along the way, Creps earned a Ph.D. in communication at Northwestern University and a doctor of ministry degree in leadership at AGTS. He is the author of Off-Road Disciplines from Jossey-Bass.

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