Mentoring Roles

We gave out the following with the mentor assignments: (Word download)

Heart to Heart Providence Assembly of God Women's Mentoring Program

We're so glad you've decided to participate in the PAG Women's Mentoring Program. The Women's Ministries Team has prayed about the matches we have created, and believe that God has a blessing in store for each of you as you share your lives with one another. Enclosed you'll find your partner and your request forms with contact information, and a brief description of what each one needs/has to offer. You'll also find a helpful article on why mentoring is important. In 1 Thessalonians 5:11 we are taught: "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." A key element of this ministry is to do just that.

May God bless you abundantly as you share your lives with one another!
In Christ,
Jean, Valerie, Lisa and Joyce WM Team

Roles

• Your job is to model Christ to your mentee and be available to her as a friend.
• Your goal is to continually point her to Christ.
• Your role is to be friend, teacher, coach, encourager, listener, guide. It's also to be a learner as you see God working in your mentee's life.

• Your job is to learn from your mentor.
• Your goal is to see how Jesus works in her life and can work in yours.
• Your role is to ask questions, reach out, and share your life with your mentor. Don't be surprised by the lessons you will teach her!

Possible activities:

• Work together on a Bible Study.
• Pray together.
• Call each other regularly: weekly, bi-weekly or whatever works best to connect.
• Go shopping together.
• Go for coffee.
• Attend an event together.
• Work on a project together.
• Go out for ice cream.
• Watch a video together.
• Take a walk.
• Be together!

Wanted: A Mass Movement of Women "Mentors"

by Dennis and Barbara Rainey Devotions for Couples, November 12

Titus 2:3,4 Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior...that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children.

I remember when, early in our marriage, Barbara went through periods of doubt as to how she was doing as a new wife. I would encourage her, saying, "You're doing fine, you're doing great." But I felt powerless to really affirm her.

After we moved to Dallas, Barbara began attending a Bible study for young wives led by an older woman. This seasoned mother was on a mission-she loved coaching and encouraging these young moms. Under this woman's mentoring, Barbara's confidence soared as she saw that her struggles were not unique.

There's no doubt that the early years of marriage are really important. Roles are hammered out. Adjustments made. Expectations clarified. It's no wonder the divorce rate is the highest during the first five years of marriage.

I believe we could dramatically reduce divorce if more wives and mothers experienced what Barbara did-a mentor. A mentor is a women who has been there, who has lived it, who has loved her husband faithfully (not perfectly) and has biblical values to pass on.

As Barbara says, "A husband's encouragement means a lot, but sometimes it doesn't mean as much as another woman who has been there, who has done it, who comes alongside."

A number of years ago I watched with fascination as a dozen young wives and mothers answered the question: What would you like to see your church provide for you as a wife and mother? They were very clear in their responses-they didn't want a video, a tape, a conference, another book or a radio program. They wanted a real live mom to talk to and cry with-someone they could relate to and ask questions.

So I started challenging older wives and moms to become mentors. Their response? "We don't have all the answers. We've made too many mistakes." You know what? That's exactly the qualification you need to be a mentor.

Prepare some change agents to come after you. Be a model to everyone, but a mentor to those who will be the next generation of change agents in your ministry. Modeling is teaching by lifestyle and example. Mentoring is deliberately taking aside privately some of your key team players and interacting with them, instructing them, encouraging them, and empowering them.

Woodrow Kroll