Mentors enrich young lives
‘O my people, listen to my instructions. Open your ears to what I am saying, for I will speak to you in a parable. I will teach you hidden lessons from our past – stories we have heard and known, stories our ancestors handed down to us. We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord, about his power and his mighty wonders.’ Psalm 78:1-4 (NLT).
Why is mentoring important? A mentor for a young person is essentially another adult who spends time with them. Many young people do not have quality time with any adults outside their families. Young people need mentors so that they have other adults in their lives who care about them and who challenge them to do their best.
‘Mentoring is a very significant role every Christian can fulfil… you can be GOD’S AGENT in enrinching another person’s life.’
Coaches, confirmation mentors, volunteers and family friends can all give a young person an adult to turn to, to trust, and to look to for advice or support when they need it.
A mentor has the great privilege and responsibility of helping to guide a young person along their journey through life and faith.
As renowned Christian leadership and mentoring author, lecturer, consultant and trainer, the late Rev Dr John Mallison said, ‘Mentoring is a very significant role every Christian disciple can fulfil … irrespective of age or experience. It is not restricted to “giants of faith”. The basic requirement is a living relationship with God and an ability to listen and respond sensitively, and to encourage. If this is true of you, you can be God’s agent in enriching another person’s life.’
Mentoring creates relationships which in turn help create community within a congregation. It is a way of inviting people to share their lives, their stories and their faith together. It’s also a way in which every congregation can be involved in youth ministry in an enriching and substantial way.
New mentoring resource
Grow Ministries is excited to share its new mentoring resource to assist congregations in ministry to young people. It is filled with frameworks, how-to sheets, fact sheets, training PowerPoints and videos.
We hope you find it provides a comprehensive resource to implement a mentoring ministry in your congregation. It is intended as a guide, and we encourage you to add your own community’s flavour to it. Please visit our online store www.growministries.org.au or contact us at growministries@lca.org.au for further information about this free resource or to request a copy.
Contact Grow Ministries:
a: 197 Archer Street North Adelaide SA 5006
e: growministries@lca.org.au
p: 08 8267 7300
Vicki Rochow is Grow Ministries Resource Coordinator.
This feature story comes from The Lutheran September 2016. Visit the website to find out more about The Lutheran or to subscribe.
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