'Often men look for accountability with their peers, but a man needs a mentor to give him wisdom that his peers cannot. Peers can struggle with the same issues, be unaware of their own flaws, overestimate their knowledge of the problem or not have enough life experience to make sense of it at all. Men who surround themsleves with their peers and proudly refuse to accept the counsel of their elders fall into a locker room mentality. In the locker room mentality, peers go through the motions of accountability; they all know they are lying, but no-one wants to call another out lest he be called out. This accountability has no substance, no bite, and is sign of a shallow relationship. Many of these peer accountability relationships eventually dissolve.
A mentor is someone who has dealt with the trials and challenges and found redemption. Just as a team needs a coach to keep them honest, so should a man have someone he respects and can learn from, walking with them along the path to holiness. When the relationship is deep and life-encompassing, our lives are spent in community. When the relationship is deep enough a mentor can tell when a man is stumbling. He can see that trouble is approaching and warn a man about upcoming battle.'
William M Struthers, Wired for Intimacy, p.185.
