 |
|||
|
|
This congregational mentoring program is meant to be flexible and easy to implement. Training can be done one pair at a time, or (depending on the purpose) with groups of pairs about to embark on mentoring journeys. Recall that issues such as confirmation and vocation in daily life can be set up so that mentoring pairs are trained and supported together. Pairs formed around other issues can be trained as they come together. This section is meant to help the congregation get started in this one- to-one ministry. Remember the purpose of this program: To bring two people together to grow in their spiritual lives and thereby encounter Jesus. Lay people who participate in these pairings will: grow in study of scripture; grow in their ability to share their faith with another; become equipped for the possibility of small group leadership; become better able to witness to their faith in word and deed. Overseeing the Mentoring Program This program offers a unique opportunity for cooperation between education and evangelism in the congregation. Perhaps both committees might exercise joint oversight under the leadership of the pastoral staff. Other areas of the congregation's ministry and also be brought on board as new issues are developed. For example, the social ministry committee would want to be a part of the oversight team as volunteers grow in their service to human need. The Worship and Music committee might team up as Assisting Ministers and meet with others to explore this ministry in mentoring teams. Representatives of the church council might join the team on issues of leadership recruitment and development. In order to begin a mentoring program like the one outlined in this guide, members of the evangelism and education committees may form a parish mentoring task force to provide, with the pastoral staff, oversight for this ministry. Among the committee's responsibilities would be:
The Mentoring Covenant The mentoring covenant should spell out the basic shape of the relationship between the pairs. It should cover such topics as time commitments, length of the process, accountability with the church and the pastor, issues to be covered (at least initially), training, evaluation, and prayer. The mentoring oversight committee and pastoral staff should be flexible in devising these covenants, remembering that the main purpose is not the filling out of forms but the establishing of spiritual relationships which can be mutually supportive in gaining wisdom for life's faith issues. See Sample A in the pairs booklet for an example of a covenant. Getting Started 1. The Plan The pastor will meet with the Parish Mentoring Task Force and develop a yearly plan for mentoring pairs. This plan should fit in with the overall mission strategy of the congregation. For example, if the evangelism committee is concentrating on outreach to those who have been baptized and married in the past year, then mentoring pairs for that area of concern would be a priority. If it is time to elect new parish leadership or recruit new Sunday School teachers, then the mentoring plan could support those efforts. A mentoring plan could include goals for pairing unchurched people with church leaders. The previous chapter gave many ideas for mentoring pairs. The mentoring plan should include priorities, a list of possible participants, coordination with other areas of the congregation's ministry, publicity, timetable, and outcomes. 2. The Implementation Part two introduced several models and approaches to setting up one-to-one mentoring pairs for the purpose of spiritual growth. Our lifelong spiritual journey presents many issues that may require the wisdom and nurture of fellow travelers. Recall some of the many sources of participants to the program: New members and those who have expressed an interest in their spiritual life or the
church. A mentoring program like this should be a "low maintenance" effort, designed for seekers "on the road." It should not to get bogged down in a lot of organizational or institutional baggage. One way to get started a mentoring program is to simply announce its existence and encourage people to make use of it. Often those seeking mentors will self-select their partner. As organizers, your role will be to share resources. For example, you might offer to help single parents pair up over issues of parenting. As people respond, you may want to provide training and continue to act as a liaison to the wider ministry of the congregation. Another way to get started is to begin the process as part of an overall plan for mentoring that includes actively recruiting mentoring teams. As the program continues, there should be a mix of self- selecting and intentional pairing. The invitation to involvement should always be general and reach out to any child of God. The invitation should also always be specific for the church's present and future leaders, and for those who are apart from the life of the church. Remember that this ministry should be seen as integral to the overall mission of the
parish and not as some side activity.
The church council should endorse the ministry.
Every board, committee, program and institution of the congregation should be made aware
of it. It is critical that the church's newsletter and other avenues of communication tell
the story. When the people gather for the public liturgies of the church this program of
one-to-one parish mentoring should be announced and included in the prayers.
See Sample B: An Implementation Plan for a sample of how this program might be implemented in your congregation. Companions on the Road: A Program of One-To-One Parish Mentoring "While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them." A Model For Implementation 1. The pastor does one-on-one interviews with three or four leaders who will provide oversight of the program and help conduct parish house meetings. The interviews cover the issues which will be raised in the parish house meetings and an introduction of the parish mentoring program. Sample questions for the one-on-one interviews and parish house meetings: + "At our church, I am most proud of..." or "One time the church was there for me when I needed it was..." + "In my community I am most concerned about..." + "In my life I + "A part of the Bible I would like to explore deeper is..." or "The Biblical story which speaks to me right now in my life is..." Questions like this help us get at the issues on people's hearts, but also give them practice in talking about their faith, their church, scripture. 2. The pastor and each leader meet to identify another group of three or four leaders. Each leader does a one-on-one interview with one other leader. 3. The pastor leads a training for the leaders interviewed on conducting house meetings in the parish. Each leader conducts one or two house meetings with eight to ten at each meeting. (see "Guidelines For Parish House Meetings.") 4. From the issues and participants raised up in the house meetings the leaders will form the "Parish Mentoring Task Force" and develop a plan for the parish mentoring ministry. (See "Plan For Parish Mentoring Pairs"). **Fish and Feed. Remember that the Plan should include a mix of mentoring pairs who are members, but also include non-members and seekers. 5. Publicize the beginning of this ministry. Use the "Affirmation of the Vocation of Christians in the World" at the public liturgies of the congregation. Report regularly on the program and pray for the participants by name. 6. Conduct an evaluation with every mentoring pair. Keep a careful record of issues and leaders who emerge in the process. "They said to each other, 'Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the scriptures?"
See Sample C: A Parish House Plan for an example of a parish plan for meetings that might be used to lead into mentoring relationships. Companions on the Road: A Program of One-To One Parish Mentoring "While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. " SOME GUIDELINES FOR PARISH HOUSE MEETINGS INTRODUCTION We know that relationships in a congregation build involvement and commitment to the mission of Christ's Church. Parish house meetings can be a good way to share stories, deepen relationships, and listen for the issues and ideas which can lead to small group ministry and mentoring pairs. Parish house meetings can also be a good place to identify emerging leaders and the particular gifts and issues which motivate them. Remember that the early church had its beginnings in house meetings (Greek: "oikoumena" = "household" from which we derive the word "ecumenical"). "And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers ... all who believed were together..."(Acts 2:42) PREPARATION A 'house meeting' program should be short term, highly focused, and reach every member of the parish. Groups of eight to ten gather for a meeting of no more than one hour.
HOUSE MEETING FORMAT 1.Opening Prayer and Introduction of the convener ("My name is ...... 2. A statement of the purpose of the meeting and ground rules: #a brief description of "Companions on the Road: A Program of One-To-One Mentoring" and how the house meeting will lift up issues and possible pairs. #"When we go around the table we will wait until each person has spoken before we have a general discussion." Everybody is invited to speak. 3. Each person introduces him/herself and shares a time when the church was particularly helpful to them. 4. The convener introduces the next rounds, gives three minutes to reflect and jot down some notes. A recorder is chosen for the discussion to follow. "We want you to reflect on three questions" 1. "At our church, I am most proud of..." 2. "In my community I am most concerned about..." "In my life..." 3. "A part of the Bible I would like to explore deeper is..." 5. Do the rounds on each question, each person shares, record the issues. (30 minutes) 6. General discussion. (20 minutes) 7. Closing prayer. Please remember the difference between problems and issues. A problem is world hunger. An issue is the parish soup kitchen. A problem is declining membership. An issue is a specific outreach to families of Sunday School children. Problems are: distant, overwhelming, unwinnable, so we can talk them to death without having to do anything about them. Issues are:. concrete and specific; immediate (we can do something), the right size (we can handle it), and they can be dramatized. So, as you listen and record, press people for issues when they bring up problems. 8. Recorder and convener summarize the meeting and issues after the meeting and report to the Parish Mentoring Task Force. 9. All house meetings are summarized and the congregation is invited to a consultation exploring the implications and issues of the listening process and the plan for small groups and mentoring pairs. People are invited to participate. "They said to each other, 'Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the scriptures?"
Boundary Issues and Accountability The pairs manual will deal with the dynamics of the meetings, where they can be held, and will provide general guidelines for each meeting, as well as specific resources for some of the issues to be covered. Since this is a public ministry of the congregation, there are a few ground rules that should be explicit from the beginning: In general, meetings between mentoring pairs can be scheduled at a place of mutual convenience. But if there are pairs of the opposite sex then meetings should be conducted either in a public place or in a home with other people present. Stress that no meeting should take place in any setting that could put the motivation of either party in question. The purpose of these mentoring pairs should always be front and center: to bring two people together to grow in their spiritual lives and their walk with Jesus. The meetings should be conducted in an atmosphere of confidentiality. Mentoring pairs should be places for truthful conversation and consolation between companions on the spiritual journey. For that reason, the pair's conversation needs to be protected in confidence. The content of a pair's conversation is not to be shared with anyone else. If one in the pair has a significant spiritual wound or an issues that needs to be dealt with, that need (with the permission of the person involved) should it should be brought to the pastor. Either the pastor, or someone from the mentoring task force should be assigned as a contact person with each mentoring pair. The duties of the contact person include: • Help the pair develop a "Mentoring Covenant" • Arrange for training • Keep in touch during the duration of the mentoring sessions • Evaluate the process with the mentoring pair and record issues and potential leaders who emerge from the process • Remember the pair in personal and corporate prayer. The Role of the Pastor The role of the pastor in the mentoring program is threefold: # Integrative. This is a ministry of oversight and coordination. The pastor is present in the many worlds which converge in a parish. The pastor keeps the "big picture" or overall mission direction in view as she/he agitates for the formation of mentoring pairs in all their diversity. The pastor keeps in touch with the Parish Mentoring Task Force, those who are currently meeting in pairs, and those who could potentially form such pairs. The pastor is always looking for ways to incorporate new leaders, address new issues, make new invitations which flow from these pairs. # Legitimating/empowering. The ministry is almost that of a midwife, helping something to be born. Through newsletter, sermons, liturgies, invitations, and all manner of public and personal support the pastor will undergird this mentoring ministry with the depth and breadth and gifts of the Church. # Pastoral. She/he will offer pastoral care of souls for all involved in the ministry. He/she will integrate this ministry around the rhythm of the church year, and continually center its activity around public proclamation of Word and Sacraments Resources Each mentoring pair is expected to attend one training session where they will receive a copy of the instruction book for pairs entitled: "Manual For Companions On The Road." The Pairs Manual includes a general outline for meeting that can be used at every session (Sample D). In addition, that Manual suggests several models for working with particular issues (Samples E, F, and G). This manual will not attempt to list all of the resources that might be used by a mentoring team. The Mentoring Team along with the pastor and other leaders can provide resources tailored to specific mentoring contracts. Some standard resources can be helpful: + Scripture should be a part of every mentoring journey. Study covenants might be built around study of the pericopes each week or books of the Bible could be studied together. + Luther's Large and Small Catechisms offer cherished spiritual resources. + The prayers and liturgies of the Lutheran Book of Worship and the Renewing Worship series can be valuable resources as mentoring pairs grow in prayer. + The Augsburg Fortress catalog lists a variety of adult study materials. Many of these can be used by pairs for study. Particularly useful are the studies that are designed for small group use. + The primary resources for mentoring pairs are the partners themselves-- children of God bringing their own questions, wisdom and insight to the relationship. Training One two hour training session should be offered each mentoring pair as they begin their journey. If possible, both partners might participate in the training together, but sometimes only one will be able receive training. Those who will form a mentoring pair with someone who is not a member of any church, or with a confirmand, will need particular training. The key, as always, is flexibility. The point of the program is not the formal training, but starting the relationship between two people willing to explore spiritual issues together. Ideally, training might be offered to several pairs at the same. Shared training makes effective use of resources and enriches the experience by bringing in the insights and experiences of several. Two resources for training (Samples B and C) can be found in the Pairs Manual. Training might be done by the pastor, someone from the Parish Mentoring Task Force, or others experienced in the program. The training might also be offered as a way for others to get to know the program. It can be offered for select groups (such as new member class, confirmation class and parents, Sunday School teachers) when their participation in the program is part of the overall plan of the parish. Additional training can be offered after the initial training session for those mentoring pairs with special needs for resources or additional preparation. Sample D: Outline for Training Mentors is model for training new mentoring pairs, or those interested in finding out more about the program. Companions On The Road: A Program of One-To-One Parish Mentoring "While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. Training Session For Mentoring Pairs 1. Prayer and Introduction of Participants 2. Introduction of the Mentoring Program Using Chapter 1, "The Road To Emmaus." -Read the story. -Reflect: "How did Jesus relate to the disciples on the road?" -Go through the passage verse by verse (p. 1 -3) -Summarize the mentoring program (p.3,4) 3. Reflection of the Journey of Faith -Share and discuss: "What are your earliest memories of Jesus? church?" -Present: "Growing in Christ, A Journey of Faith." (separate handout) -Share and discuss: "Where are you today in your faith journey?" This program is designed for those involved in seeking to move from 'faith of the mind' to 'faith of the will.' It is a program for seekers, spiritual explorers, those willing to grow. 4. Reflection on Mentors and Companions in Faith's Journey. -Present handout on mentors and models and answer the questions. -Read the story of Walking on Water (Matt. 14: 22-33) and answer the questions. 5. Present and work on "A Covenant For Mentoring Pairs." 6. Give out the "Manual For Companions On The Road" and walk through it. 7. Review the general format for the mentoring sessions. (handout, also in Manual). 8. Make suggestions concerning resources, answer specific questions. 9. Read "Road To Emmaus" story again. Closing Prayer. "They said to each other, 'Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the scriptures?"
End of "Congregational
Handbook" - Back to Mentoring Home Page |
||