This post is an excerpt from a previous post titled Mentoring: The Top Ten Things I Learned From Bill Ferrell. Each day this week i will repost two of the top ten mentoring lessons I learned. Enjoy!

Mentoring doesn’t generally happen within the context of official programmed ministries, but rather through relationships. An example of this is the 10+ years that I spent loitering around the office (and family room) of Pastor Bill Ferrell. At the time neither of us realized it, but as I look back there is no one person more responsible for my Christian maturity, real life experience in the local church, and where I am as a leader, husband, and dad than this man Bill in all his perfectly tanned golf obsessed glory. So without further ado, I give you:

The Top 10 Things I learned From Bill Ferrell: 5-6

5. It Is OK To Have Fun. Bill and I may be the only Officiant/Groom combo in NFL History to negotiate (unsuccessfully) a blockbuster trade in fantasy football during a wedding. Oh you can scoff all you want. The truth is, any guy reading this WISHES he had that much freedom in his wedding, and probably his marriage. Have fun at the next Reese Witherspoon movie, you sensitive guys… my wife and I will enjoy tailgating at the next Buffalo Bills game for you!

6. “Get to work” Ministry is best done through relationships. Investing in others and connecting with them on a personal level is the best way to reveal the truth of what a life lived for Christ looks like. That said, sometimes we just have to get things done. If something isn’t working, it needs to be fixed. True leaders don’t shrug their shoulders and say “good enough.” True leaders get things done, one way or another.

Tomorrow: #7 & #8