Reverse Mentoring: How Young Leaders Can Transform the Church and Why We Should Let Them [Hardcover]

Earl Creps (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 29, 2008 | ISBN-10: 0470188987 | ISBN-13: 978-0470188989 | Edition: 1

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.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Full of timely examples that can help keep ministry fresh and relevant." – The Living Church (January 2009)

"I enjoyed reading Earl Creps’ Off Road Disciplines, but I was enthralled by Reverse Mentoring….Through these extremely personal and detailed stories Creps gives the reader a window into the emerging world with all of its new language, technology, music, and quirkiness." –Easum-Bandy

Review

"Earl Creps is a superb communicator with the passion, courage, and vulnerability to hang out with younger people who mentor him enthusiastically. This book is a refreshing, innovative perspective that all other mentoring books miss." —Gary R. Collins, PhD, School of Psychology and Counseling, Regent University

"This book will help satisfy a deep hunger for wisdom and guidance."
—John Ortberg, Pastor, Menlo Park Presbyterian Church and Author

"The world has ended about four times. It happens every time there is an information revolution. New technologies and processes for handling information make the old world obsolete, quickly. When this happens an unusual dynamic asserts itself. Younglings mentor the elders into the way of the new world. Earl Creps calls our attention to this phenomenon in our own day. The richness of life sharing that is established in reverse mentoring is a largely unexplored, but promising green edge to the Christian movement. Let Earl show you how to get in on this development."
—Reggie McNeal, author The Present Future

"Unfortunately for Christ's church, those of us who've been around for awhile in positions of leadership find it difficult to listen to those who haven't, but represent the next generation of the church. What could they ever teach us? No question-this prevalent attitude is much to our disadvantage as we lose touch with the future of Christ's church. So how can we learn to be quiet for once and listen? And why should we founts of wisdom even consider it? Earl Creps provides us with a compelling answer in reverse mentoring. This is a must read for all generations who love Christ's church."
—Aubrey Malphurs, Lead Navigator-The Malphurs Group and Senior Professor-Dallas Seminary

"And I thought I was cool, that I had put the "hip" back in discipleship. But after experiencing Reverse Mentoring, I have discovered it was an "artificial hip." It reminded me of how much younger leaders have helped me, it motivated me to get down to Starbucks or wherever I can spend some time with them."
—Bill Hull, Author of Jesus Christ Disciple Maker, The Disciple Making Pastor, The Disciple Making Church

"Yikes. We've been nattering on about apprenticeship and formation forever, but we've often studiously ignored some of our best teachers. Brilliantly incisive, and yet Monday-morning practical, this warm, vital book might just nudge the church into a long-overdue revolution."
—Jeff Lucas, author, speaker, broadcaster

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass; 1 edition (September 29, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0470188987
• ISBN-13: 978-0470188989
• Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 0.9 x 9.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #932,440 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Earl Creps has spent several years on the road studying non-traditional congregations and connecting with young leaders. He brings to this research a background as a pastor, having led three churches (one Boomer, one Builder, and one Gen X), a consultant, having served as his denomination's national Adult Ministries Consultant, and an educator, teaching on mission in emerging culture for the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary. Earl has earned a Ph.D. in Communication (Northwestern University) and a Doctor of Ministry (AGTS). Currently, he directs the Doctor of Ministry program at the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary in Springfield, Missouri. Earl is the author of numerous articles and adult study courses, and a speaker for seminars, retreats and revivals. His book, Off-Road Disciplines: Spiritual Adventures of Missional Leaders was published by Jossey-Bass/Leadership Network in October 2006.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Hard wired in a plug and play world March 15, 2009

By Bill Wood

Format:Hardcover

I have been thinking about mentoring for some time. I was excited to see this book, which really expanded upon a chapter of his very excellent book, Off-Road Disciplines. Reverse Mentoring by Earl Creps is a handbook that I will keep on my current reading bookshelf for reference.

When I was in business a few years ago and trying to understand the internet and how it would eventually impact our business model, I would often engage young men and women in conversation about various aspects of the net and quickly it was apparent that my thoughts were geared to the economic business model and their perspective was a community or social model. That is a big difference. Depending on where you start in the conversation you can find yourself in the center of the action or way out in left field. Earl provides "road signs" along the way of this whole R-Mentoring process.

In Reverse Mentoring, Earl points out that many, either do not want to push themselves out of their comfort zone or are fearful of looking like they are stupid about things that are intuitive to the rising generations. Any hope of maintaining relevance depends upon allowing ourselves to be mentored by young men who are wise about things that with every passing day we run the risk of becoming obsolescent. Earl has done a good job of putting in one volume principles and ideas that will serve those of us who have a desire to speak into the hearts of the next generation by allowing to them to speak into our hearts. This guide book is like a manual for someone who is about to engage in foreign missions.

Earl was gracious to use some quotes of mine from a blog entry I wrote on this topic. As I said in that entry, "Every day I get a little more disconnected unless I intentionally work at staying connected." (p21) Further as I said when we allow ourselves to be transparent to the next generation it is "easy to think that things change so rapidly just to keep me [us] off balance or on the edge of the conversation." (p78) This is rarely the case, though we must exercise some common sense, there probably some things that we should allow to be exclusively their domain - no need to look stupid trying to be something we are not. I really do believe that the story of Elisha and Joash in 2 Kings 13 provides a glimpse of inter-generational strength and wisdom working together. I summarized that interaction as follows, "Young and old, old and young working together taking advantage of the strengths that both have to offer...I am willing to submit to the next generation to learn from them the things I should and trust that I will be able to impart the few things I have gleaned in living life. Life on life investing in the lives of a few. What could one give himself to that would compare to this?" (p183)

Throughout the book, Earl provides real world illustrations of how R-mentoring might work itself out for those who have the desire to join in this exciting endeavor. For me the principles in this book are working themselves out in my life as I allow Carson Peterson, Jason Rodriguez, Lane Moon, Brad Wolfrom, Scott Hamilton, Martin Elvington and Eugen Cozonac to speak into my heart and have the permission to challenge me when necessary. In the short time that I have been with these men, they are shaping me and equipping me to maintain connectedness in this very dynamic world in which we live. When I press them, they return the favor and they are fast becoming my friends.

One of my big takeaways from this very important book, is that we must take this challenge, and if we are to be successful we must allow humility to temper our interactions with the next generation. Earl has done us a great service. I trust this book will find its way into the hands of men and women who will rise to the call issued by Earl to engage in the conversation, to run with the herd and experience the excitement of embracing those things that excite the next generation. When we find ourselves at that point we may then have the privilege of speaking into their hearts when their souls are in the grip of fear. Life on life, there is no bigger nor better call.

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must-Read for Ministry Leaders January 13, 2011

By Laurence T. Baxter VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Reverse Mentoring is an eye-opening book that really challenges older leaders (especially ministry leaders) to exercise the humility needed to learn from those who are younger. They are especially good mentors in areas of technology and today's culture. He carefully explains how such reverse mentoring is beneficial to all involved - both the older and younger leader, and to the organization or ministry. Creps style is very straightforward and candid, mixing stories, his experience, and powerful insights on today's culture.

The book has four sections. Part One is "Facing Reality". Identity (I am not cool), Culture (I don't get it), and Ministry (I am not relevant). As a middle-aged leader I knew I wasn't cool, didn't want to admit I didn't get it, and was shocked and dismayed to find out I was seen as irrelevant by younger generations! What a change from older days, where the younger automatically looked up to their elders for their wisdom and experience. After this intro I was very eager to find out what I could do. Part Two is "Cultivating Spirituality". Vision (Seeing beyond ourselves), Wisdom (Knowing beyond our information), Relationship (Befriending beyond our peers). These include some powerful discussions of how we can gain respect and influence in the lives of others... by letting them have a voice in yours. Part Three is "Experiencing Practicality". Evangelism (Learning from Outsiders), Communication (Learning from listeners), Leadership (Learning from followers). The key here is having a humble spirit that is able to learn from anyone and everyone, how to listen better and ask good questions. Part Four is "Developing Reciprocity". Proteges (Developing R-Mentoring relationships), Processes (Embedding R-Mentoring in organizations), Interview (Joel and Rachel mentor Earl and Janet). In this last section he talks about how R-Mentoring is becoming more common in businesses and how to promote a culture that fosters this.

Creps is passionate about reverse mentoring because he believes that younger leaders have the potential to transform the church, and it's important that older leaders not only let them, but encourage them. The vital need in all this is the development of authentic relationships. Unlike days past where leaders would never show weakness, it's so important to be ourselves, sharing both struggles and successes. Friendship, not position, is the core dynamic. Humility is the core attitude. Good questions trump teaching. Either person can initiate the relationship, often simply by asking the other to hang-out together. Reverse Mentoring is a culture, not a system or a program. One interesting suggestion was the use of triads for mentoring relationships. This benefits from having additional interaction between proteges, and further reducing the sense of mentor-mentoree.

Any older (or semi-older) leader who is wondering why they don't seem to have much influence with the younger generation should definitely read Reverse Mentoring.