Clinton goes on to define six kinds of active mentoring that individual Christians need in the course of their development. The teacher can come alongside and organize biblical knowledge so that that knowledge can impact us and be used in a ministry. The coach shows us how to do various ministry tasks. The counselor is able to give timely and wise advice, perspective, be a sounding board through listening, offer correction, evaluate, give ideas, etc. The spiritual guide enables us to understand what is happening to us toward the goal of spirituality.
Spiritual guides come later than disciplers.
The sponsor can help shape our ministry career and link us up with resources that will enable us to reach our ministry potential. Of course, we often remain friends with these disciplers or disciples. But normally, we should not assume that we can or should disciple in all of these areas for any Christian. Many different people will be involved to supply us with the resources that we need at different times in our Christian lives. Clinton's research of effective Christian leaders reveals that on the average, between ten and fifty people significantly impacted them.