Nov
26
Written by:
host
11/26/2008 7:00 AM
The utilization of mentors can be helpful in many ministry areas in the local church, including newcomer integration, confirmation programs and lay leadership development. A mentor/mentee relationship provides an arena for connection and collaboration and opportunities for growth in both parties.
Often, churches will ask for volunteers – sorry, Tim, make that unpaid disciples – to serve as mentors. The mentors are then assigned to the mentees in a semi-methodical manner. There is another approach to recruiting mentors that has worked well for the confirmation mentor program at my church. For lack of a formal name, I have called this method, “Request a Mentor”.
It works like this. After an explanation of what a mentor is, each confirmand is asked to list three adult church members that they would like to have as their mentor. Pictorial church directories are helpful in this process. Confirmation leaders than match each child up with a potential mentor, and a letter of invitation is sent to the identified person.
The letter explains the mentor program, and indicates that the confirmation student has specifically requested this individual as his or her mentor. It is very difficult to say no to such a personal request! The mentor/mentee relationships that have developed out of this process have been rewarding for all involved. Oftentimes, youth will request adults that would not have signed up to be mentors.
Have you used mentoring successfully in your church? Share your experience with others by posting a comment.
~Sally Hoelscher