285. Four Tensions Every Mentor Must Navigate with Matt McGill

285. Four Tensions Every Mentor Must Navigate with Matt McGill

Author: Zach Garza & You Can Mentor: Faith-Based Mentoring for Churches, Non-Profits, Youth Ministers, and Teachers January 8, 2026 Duration: 48:35
You Can Mentor: A Christian Youth Mentoring Podcast
ReligionReligion & SpiritualityChristianityFamilyKidsKids & FamilySpirituality

In this episode of the You Can Mentor podcast, Zach sits down with Matt McGill—a veteran ministry leader with 30+ years of experience serving in roles like youth pastor, teaching pastor, and executive pastor. Matt is also a husband, a dad to five boys, and a volunteer youth football coach, and he brings a ton of real-life perspective on what it looks like to build trust with kids and help them mature in faith and life.

Matt shares a practical framework for mentoring that goes beyond simply “hanging out.” He explains that strong mentoring has three key pieces: relational (life-on-life connection and authenticity), informational (sharing wisdom, guidance, and truth), and preparational (helping a young person build independence instead of becoming dependent on the mentor).

From there, Zach and Matt unpack four tensions every mentor has to learn to navigate: friend vs. leader, destination vs. journey, asking vs. answering, and directing vs. discovering. They talk about why mentoring isn’t a clean “A + B = C” formula—relationships are dynamic, and mentors have to learn discernment in the moment.

You’ll also hear helpful encouragement for mentors who feel stuck or discouraged—how to celebrate small wins, stay patient when progress feels slow, and remember you can’t fix or control a mentee (only God can change hearts). Matt offers practical insight on earning the right to be heard, learning to ask better questions (and getting comfortable with silence), and staying Spirit-led before and during meetups. Whether you’re new to mentoring or you lead volunteers, this conversation will equip you with clarity, perspective, and actionable tools to show up well... because you can mentor.

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Hosted by Zach Garza, You Can Mentor: A Christian Youth Mentoring Podcast is a conversation for anyone guiding young people within a faith context. This isn't about abstract theory; it's a practical resource built for the real challenges faced by youth ministers, church volunteers, teachers, and parents. Each episode focuses on the tangible aspects of building relationships that matter, offering grounded advice on how to listen, encourage, and walk alongside the next generation. The core of this podcast is a shared belief that effective mentoring flows from a foundation of loving God and loving others, aiming to make disciples right where you live. We delve into the questions you actually have, because your input directly shapes the discussions. Many episodes are crafted from real questions submitted by listeners, making the content immediately relevant to your own mentoring relationships. Whether you're navigating a difficult conversation, seeking creative ways to connect, or looking to sustain your own spiritual health while pouring into others, this space is designed to equip and encourage you. The goal is to see Christian mentors not just manage, but truly thrive in their vital roles. Tune in for honest stories, actionable strategies, and a sense of community, all aimed at helping you cultivate a more meaningful and impactful mentoring practice.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

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You Can Mentor: A Christian Youth Mentoring Podcast
Podcast Episodes
241. Earning the Right to be Heard // Mentoring Minute [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:38
Earn the Right to Be HeardYou may have heard the saying “a kid doesn’t care what you know until they know that you care.” It is one of my favorite sayings because I think it is 100% accurate. I have seen many mentors get…
240. With > For // Mentoring Minute [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:26
With > ForI love youth ministry. I am the product of a healthy youth group from the 80’s and 90’s that loved me well and gave me the chance to realize my identity and purpose within a group of youth workers and teenagers…
239. Ending a Mentoring Relationship // Mentoring Minute [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:03
Ending a Mentoring Relationship WellWhat do you do whenever major life circumstances pop up that get in the way of your mentoring relationship?Maybe your mentee goes off to college or moves to a new community?Perhaps you…
238. Kindness // Mentoring Minute [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:30
KindnessKindness has that middle-child syndrome. Yes, it’s a fruit of the Spirit. But I think we have a funny relationship with the word. We know that we are to be kind. We know a few people who we would describe as kind…
237. Am I Qualified? // Mentoring Minute [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:32
Am I Qualified?When people consider starting a mentoring relationship with a child, one question that seems to always pop up is “Am I qualified?” After all, investing into the life of a child is a big deal.But I think we…
236: Faithfulness Over Fruitfulness // Mentoring Minute [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:37
Faithfulness over FruitfulnessEarly on in my mentoring journey, I thought mentoring was like a math equation. A + B = CIf I showed up + Gave them some wisdom = Growth in my menteeIf I’m being honest, in my naivite, I tho…
235: IPC: Community // Mentoring Minute [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:16
-IPC is a tool to help us understand our mentee (and ourselves)Identity is WHO WE AREPurpose is WHAT WE DO Community is HOW WE BLESS AND ARE BLESSED BY OTHERSI want to paint a mental picture for you on the canvas of your…
234: IPC: Purpose // Mentoring Minute [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:17
-IPC is a tool to help us understand our mentee (and ourselves)Identity is WHO WE AREPurpose is WHAT WE DO Community is HOW WE BLESS AND ARE BLESSED BY OTHERSKing David had a high sense and value for HIS OWN identity, pu…
233: IPC: Identity //Mentoring Minute [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:03
-IPC is a tool to help us understand our mentee (and ourselves)Identity is WHO WE AREPurpose is WHAT WE DO Community is HOW WE BLESS AND ARE BLESSED BY OTHERSKing David had a high sense and value for HIS OWN identity, pu…

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