Mentor: (noun) coach, guide, facilitator, friend, counselor, trusted advisor.
What is Mentoring?
Mentoring is simply sharing life and life lessons with another person. A mentor is one who is willing to give time and expertise to guide the development of another. A person being mentored is someone who desires to glean wisdom for the journey from one who has already traveled the road. A mentoring relationship is often cross-generational and always intentional.
Why Be A Mentor?
Mentoring allows us to significantly invest in the lives of others and especially the next generation, passing the baton of faith more effectively.
Why Be Mentored?
Change takes more than resolution. It takes intentional choices which deliberately move us toward the person we want to be. Change requires placing ourselves in environments which will help change and growth happen. Mentoring relationships are one way to create an environment for this process.
The "I-4" Cross Generational Challenge
One of the core values at PABC is to "build through relationships." The following four practical steps challenge us to practice building faith through relationships:
Initiate the contact. Jesus took the initiative constantly as He interacted with people.
Invite - make the offer. Move the relationship in a direction on purpose. Jesus was great with invitations: "Come and follow Me."
Invest time, energy and resources. No investment yields no return. Jesus gave His life so we might be in relationship with God.
Influence others through your life experiences both successes and failures. Jesus intentionally sought to influence those He came in contact with for kingdom purposes.
Finding a Good Mentor
Pray God knows who you need to speak into your life at this time.
Seek - Look at people both inside and outside the church. Ask yourself, "Who inspires, encourages, or challenges me?"
Ask - Take the risky faith step to ask your chosen person. It's an honor to be asked, but don't be discouraged if the answer is no. A wise mentor respects his or her boundaries, schedule and time realities.
Clarify - When you ask, be specific about when to meet and how long. We suggest a minimum of three times and a maximum of nine. At the end of the designated time both parties can determine if the mentoring relationship should continue or not.
Respect - Respect your mentor's gift of time. Don't be late. Offer to pay for a meal if you meet while eating. Send an occasional thank-you note. People are more willing to give their time if they know the recipient values it.
