If you look over your life, can you remember an adult who took the time to walk alongside you and took an interest in you? Maybe it was a youth leader or someone else in your congregation who encouraged you?
Mentoring is important. At the most basic level, it guarantees that a young person has someone who cares about them. They are not alone in dealing with day-to-day challenges. Mentors can be an adult friend who is there to guide them and share how God is present in their life.
Mentoring creates relationships that help create a community within a congregation. It invites people to share their lives, their stories and their faith.
There is compelling research about the impact adults can have on teenagers as they grow into their faith. Research tells us that teens who have five or more adults from the church invest in them are less likely to leave the church.
Mentoring is one way that every congregation member can be involved in youth ministry in an enriching way.
ERIC, MENTOR
Hello, my name is Eric and I have known Henry and his family as active members and regular worshippers at our congregation over many years.
When Henry first asked whether I would be prepared to act as mentor in his confirmation studies, my first thoughts were, ‘I have never done this before. Am I equal to the task? I’m old (85) and he’s so young’.
However, I was happy to accept the invitation and we soon established a close relationship. As we journeyed together in studying Luther’s Small Catechism, I was able to share something of my own personal faith experiences with Henry. At the same time, my faith was being renewed and strengthened through the work of the Holy Spirit.
It was a joy for me to support Henry in this way. To God be the praise and the glory.
HENRY, ON BEING MENTORED BY ERIC
Eric and I sing in the church choir together. I feel like I’ve known him all my life. He is in charge of setting up the church Christmas tree each year, and I have really enjoyed helping with this for the past few years. I thought he’d be a great confirmation mentor as he was always friendly, energetic and very knowledgeable.
This turned out to be the case as he has such vast knowledge and understanding of God, and of being Lutheran. Our time together was restricted by COVID, but we met in person when we could, for a walk and talk. When restrictions eased, we could see each other more often, at choir practice as well as at church.
He encouraged me and gave me great feedback about how I was progressing in my faith journey.
MENTORING IS IMPORTANT
Establishing a mentoring program in your congregation can be challenging and stretching, but also a rewarding experience for everyone involved. Grow Ministries has mentoring resources which provide support and encouragement for your mentoring journey. For more information and links to resources, go to www.growministries.org.au/2022/04/27/a-mentoring-experience/ or email growministries@lca.org.au
For more resources that support parents, families and congregations in nurturing faith, go to www.growministries.org.au
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