PAUL’S CONCEPTS OF  AND  IN ROMANS 15:2, 14 AND RELEVANCE TO LEADERSHIP MENTORING RELATIONSHIPS IN CONTEMPORARY NIGERIAN CHURCH

ABSTRACT: Efforts at broaden participation and persistence in the ministry as a career requires anunderstanding of how mentoring relationships work. It also requires the knowledge of their impact in promotingcareer advancement in the ministry and as a means of expanding one’s ministry. This paper examined Paul’sconcepts of  (Rom.15:2) and  (Rom.15:14) in relation to leadership mentoring in theministry. The study intends to discover how to apply this mentoring strategies to leadership challenges in thecontemporary Nigerian church. Even though Paul has never been to Rome as at the time of writing this letter, hehad attempted to mentor the Roman church from a distance. We must ask what was responsible for the successof Paul’s mission in the Apostolic mission stations and how he successfully transferred leadership to hisacolytes in the Roman church. How can the study of Paul’s concepts of  and  in Romans15:2,14 be relevant in the context of contemporary Nigerian church? In facing the leadership challenges that thechurch may have in future, what role can online or computer-assisted mentoring relationships play? Theresearch method employed in this study is both exegetical and hermeneutical. It is hoped that such ethicalstrategies can help Nigeria’s Church leaders to develop protégés who are committed, motivated and personallysatisfied by their services; and are prepared to work to please God and build up their neighbours.

KEYWORDS: Leadership, Mentoring Relationships, Paul’s Concepts -, , Nigerian Church.