LDJ Mentoring

What is a Mentoring Group?

A mentoring group is a group of peers facilitated by a trained mentor where members pray for each other, become supportive friends, learn from each other, and hold each other accountable.

Why Mentoring Groups?

We learn and grow best in meaningful relationships with others. Pastors have few relationships in which they can be transparent, learn how to be more effective in ministry, find support among those who really know and understand their calling, and be held accountable for personal and professional growth. A group of peers who are committed to developing communication, trust, and learnng among themselves, can be a most effective means of developing more healthy and effective ministers. LDJ mentoring groups help pastors "do ministy" more effectively by nurturing four core transformational principles: vision, learning, interdependence and accountability.

Who is in a Mentoring Group?

A mentorig group is made up of ministers who are willing to commit themselves to meet together for at least one year. A model that is suggested would have a leader, two pastors from growing churches, two pastors from plateaued churches, and two pastors from declining churches. Not always will it be possible or advisable to apply this formula, but it is the suggested model.

Who determines the makeup of the group?

District superintendents or persons appointed by them will structure the groups. In most cases, it is best that the mentors (faciltators) be appointed and trained in leading small groups, and that group members voluntarily select the group they want to be a part of.

What happens in a Mentoring Group?

Initially, time will be spent getting acquainted with each other and building trusting relationships. It may take awhile for trust to be developed that will permit openness and authenticity, but the group will soon become a welcomed "safe haven" for committed members—all of whom need and will practice a high level of confidentiality. What is discussed in the group meeting is left there. Members may be asked to sign a covenant of commitment to the values of the group.

Each meeting of a mentoring group should include opportunity for at least four things to occur—prayer, support, learning, and accountability.

As group members open up to each other regarding their victories, struggles, and personal needs, praying for each other will become an anticipated activity of the meeting.

Commitment to mutual effectiveness means that members will want to know how things are going in each other's life and ministry. Participants will find acceptance, understanding, encouragement, and support within the group.

Personal and professional growth is a major objective. The group commits itself to be a learning environment where subjects that relate to effective ministry will be explored and implemented. It will be a place for growth and learning—from interaction with one another and from exploring othside resources.

In most cases, there will be reading or project assignments to fulfill and then report and reflect upon. There are three major sources for "curriculum". Groups may want to rely on meterials and experiences already in hand—things from their files or libraries related to the subject. Groups may want to decide on a subject and then do some research to find the best resources available, choosing what they want from their findings. Groups may want to follow a direction suggested by their district superintendent or by the leadership of LDJ. In most cases, the group should determine what subject(s) will benefit them the most and then find the resources that will best meet their needs.

A part of each group meeting will be given to group accountability. Group members will be asked to commit themselves to the implemenration of principles and practices that are learned in the group. The next meeting members will be asked what they did about what they committed themselves to do.

How often do they get together?

It is suggested that mentoring groups meet for four hours each month.

Who is in charge?

Each group will be lead by a mentor (facilitator). Usually this person will be an experienced, effective pastor who bas been trained to give leadership to a small group of peers. Group leaders from within a district will meet periodically for additional training in how to improve the group meetings and how to enhance sustainability.

How long does the group stay together?

The objective of a mentoring group is to develop effective pastors and healthy churches. One of the core transformational values is that of interdependence—pastors need each other and must be committed to each other's growth. Therefore, members should be committed to the group until each pastor is demonstrating a more effective ministry and all the churches represented in the group are health and growing. When this becomes a reality, the group may decide to discontinue, but in most cases the level of relationship that has been established will be seen to be so beneficial that the participants will want to continue the group as an ongoing means of personal and professional growth. If the group is dissolved, some members may be asked to give leadership to new mentoring groups.

What about staff persons?

It is suggested that ministerial staff persons be assigned to groups made up of persons with the same or similar ministerial assignments (i.e. youth pastors, CE directors, children's pastors, worship leaders etc.) It would not be advisable for staff persons to be in the same group as their senior pastors.

How can I join a group?

Mentoring groups are developed within districts of the Church under district leadership. If you are interested in being a part of a mentoring group, contact your district superintendent.

Mentoring Resources

Phone: 317-774-3896

Email: heerk@wesleyan.org

Mailing: P.O. Box 50434, Indianapolis, IN 46250