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Mentoring Programs - 9/10/2008 11:20:59 PM
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psalm116
Posts: 179
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How do you feel about organized mentoring programs in the church?
Should there be a program, or do you think mentoring should be just a "relationship" thing between people in the church without organized structure?
Why or why not?
_____________________________
"I love the Lord because He hears my voice and my supplications. Because He has inclined His ear to me, Therefore I shall call upon Him as long as I live."
~Psalm 116:1,2
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RE: Women's Mentoring Programs - 9/11/2008 4:41:46 PM
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doinkdom
Posts: 4259
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I think organizing might help to get the ball rolling, but mentoring someone is a lot more organic than a pre-determined program.
just my 2 cents
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RE: Women's Mentoring Programs - 9/11/2008 4:54:53 PM
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lexie
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I agree with doinkdom.
It might be useful to organize something just to know who is willing to mentor, so people know who to go to if they are looking for a mentor, to know who has the time and the willingness. But other than that you can't really form the relationship.
When I was a new Christian, the woman who was there to mentor me was not a good mentor because we had nothing in common, I didn't like her way of doing things, and we had different ideas of what our roles were.
It was not a good relationship or experience.
_____________________________
I want to be more than an ordinary servant.
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RE: Women's Mentoring Programs - 9/11/2008 6:35:05 PM
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psalm116
Posts: 179
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quote:
ORIGINAL: lexie
When I was a new Christian, the woman who was there to mentor me was not a good mentor because we had nothing in common, I didn't like her way of doing things, and we had different ideas of what our roles were.
It was not a good relationship or experience.
Was this through an organized mentor program?
_____________________________
"I love the Lord because He hears my voice and my supplications. Because He has inclined His ear to me, Therefore I shall call upon Him as long as I live."
~Psalm 116:1,2
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RE: Women's Mentoring Programs - 9/11/2008 7:17:08 PM
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lexie
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From: Toronto
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No, we're a small church and don't have anything organized like that. It was a woman who took upon it herself to mentor me (since I was the new one) and who had more of a leadership role in the church.
It would have been nice to have some guidance in who could have mentored me better, which is why sometimes it's good to have some sort of organization, even if it is one person who can help match up people properly.
_____________________________
I want to be more than an ordinary servant.
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RE: Women's Mentoring Programs - 9/12/2008 12:34:35 AM
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sunshine4God
Posts: 6969
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: Sterling Ct.
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It would be cool to have a mentoring program at church
but we don't though.Oh well.I am blessed to have an awesome
friend at church who helps me grow in the Lord,and I think of her as my mentor.I am so happy that I have a friend as caring as she is.
_____________________________
Matthew 5:16.
"Let your light so shine before men that they will see
your good deeds and glorify your Lord".
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RE: Women's Mentoring Programs - 9/12/2008 11:15:51 AM
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doinkdom
Posts: 4259
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From: The higher lowcountry
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This is one of reasons I think multi-age small groups are so beneficial to everyone. You can develop the relationships inside and outside the group as a community of believers. Many churches tend to segregate their groups by age or gender or "issue" but I'm totally unconvinced those are biblical or beneficial.
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RE: Women's Mentoring Programs - 9/13/2008 12:03:54 AM
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psalm116
Posts: 179
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quote:
ORIGINAL: doinkdom
Many churches tend to segregate their groups by age or gender or "issue" but I'm totally unconvinced those are biblical or beneficial.
I agree that segregated groups by age, gender or issue is not biblical. In Titus 2 Paul gives instructions to both men and women about mentoring, but of course it's call "instructing".
_____________________________
"I love the Lord because He hears my voice and my supplications. Because He has inclined His ear to me, Therefore I shall call upon Him as long as I live."
~Psalm 116:1,2
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RE: Women's Mentoring Programs - 9/13/2008 11:08:53 PM
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sunshine4God
Posts: 6969
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: Sterling Ct.
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true true psalm.I am still not sure though but will keep that mentoring idea in mind.
_____________________________
Matthew 5:16.
"Let your light so shine before men that they will see
your good deeds and glorify your Lord".
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RE: Women's Mentoring Programs - 9/13/2008 11:53:39 PM
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psalm116
Posts: 179
Joined: 9/23/2005
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I'll be praying for you sunshine. There are alot of Christian women's programs out there that you can tap into and use their guidelines. Talk with other women in your church and see if others would think having a program would be beneficial.
The experiences that you have in your life are unique that God can use to help another woman.
_____________________________
"I love the Lord because He hears my voice and my supplications. Because He has inclined His ear to me, Therefore I shall call upon Him as long as I live."
~Psalm 116:1,2
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RE: Women's Mentoring Programs - 9/14/2008 2:18:35 PM
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sunshine4God
Posts: 6969
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: Sterling Ct.
Status: online
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quote:
ORIGINAL: psalm116
I'll be praying for you sunshine. There are alot of Christian women's programs out there that you can tap into and use their guidelines. Talk with other women in your church and see if others would think having a program would be beneficial.
The experiences that you have in your life are unique that God can use to help another woman.
Thanks so much for keeping me in prayer.I sure do need lots of prayers.
_____________________________
Matthew 5:16.
"Let your light so shine before men that they will see
your good deeds and glorify your Lord".
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RE: Women's Mentoring Programs - 9/15/2008 8:04:10 PM
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psalm116
Posts: 179
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quote:
ORIGINAL: HisCovenant
we are ALL to be mentored and we are ALL to be mentoring and setting up a programs sends the message that discipleship is an extra curricular activity. And frankly, who has time to join another program at church? I know some people who could invest more time in their church, but what about people like me who attend 5 church activities per week and still aren't finding those mentoring relationships needing to "join the mentoring program?"
Wow! Love your perspective! I had never thought of it that way.
quote:
ORIGINAL: HisCovenant
Now, we're a part of a church that views any group you are a part of as the place you get mentored and do mentoring with elders assigned to shepherd to each person in the group and to foster us growing and mentoring each other. There are even people assigned to intentionally form relationships with those not in a small group (i.e. only attend the morning worship.)
I was going to say, "what a great concept!", but changed my mind. You know Paul didn't instruct Titus to set up a "program" did he? He instructed the older (spiritually mature) men and women to instruct, and, if the church is teaching the Word, and Christians are abiding by the Word, then it should just happen. How convicting!
And goodness you're right, mentoring should be integrated into other programs so as not to have "just another church activity."
Thank you for your insight!
_____________________________
"I love the Lord because He hears my voice and my supplications. Because He has inclined His ear to me, Therefore I shall call upon Him as long as I live."
~Psalm 116:1,2
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RE: Women's Mentoring Programs - 9/15/2008 8:06:28 PM
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psalm116
Posts: 179
Joined: 9/23/2005
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quote:
ORIGINAL: HisCovenant
we are ALL to be mentored and we are ALL to be mentoring and setting up a programs sends the message that discipleship is an extra curricular activity. And frankly, who has time to join another program at church? I know some people who could invest more time in their church, but what about people like me who attend 5 church activities per week and still aren't finding those mentoring relationships needing to "join the mentoring program?"
Wow! Love your perspective! I had never thought of it that way.
quote:
ORIGINAL: HisCovenant
Now, we're a part of a church that views any group you are a part of as the place you get mentored and do mentoring with elders assigned to shepherd to each person in the group and to foster us growing and mentoring each other. There are even people assigned to intentionally form relationships with those not in a small group (i.e. only attend the morning worship.)
I was going to say, "what a great concept!", but changed my mind, 'cuz God came up with the original concept, Amen?! :) Paul didn't instruct Titus to set up a "program" did he? He instructed the older (spiritually mature) men and women to instruct, and, if the church is teaching the Word, and Christians are abiding by the Word, then it should just happen. How convicting!
And goodness you're right, mentoring should be integrated into other programs so as not to have "just another church activity."
Thank you for your insight!
_____________________________
"I love the Lord because He hears my voice and my supplications. Because He has inclined His ear to me, Therefore I shall call upon Him as long as I live."
~Psalm 116:1,2
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RE: Women's Mentoring Programs - 9/15/2008 8:16:52 PM
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HisCovenant
Posts: 4334
Joined: 4/12/2005
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Thanks for your kind words!! That's very encouraging to me.
quote:
ORIGINAL: psalm116
quote:
ORIGINAL: HisCovenant
Now, we're a part of a church that views any group you are a part of as the place you get mentored and do mentoring with elders assigned to shepherd to each person in the group and to foster us growing and mentoring each other. There are even people assigned to intentionally form relationships with those not in a small group (i.e. only attend the morning worship.)
I was going to say, "what a great concept!", but changed my mind. You know Paul didn't instruct Titus to set up a "program" did he? He instructed the older (spiritually mature) men and women to instruct, and, if the church is teaching the Word, and Christians are abiding by the Word, then it should just happen. How convicting!
I totally agree with you, but think about this:
Jesus intentionally gathered 12 disciples around him to mentor. He then instructed them to makes disciples of all men. Jesus didn't set up a program, per se, but he was intentional about chosing those men, sticking with them, and asking them to have followers, as well. So, what's the difference between being intentional about mentoring/disciple making/shepherding a large congregation and a program?
I'm not sure I know the answer to that... I do know when I see an ineffective program that feels more like religion than relationship (like my old church)... but when a program builds relationships and encourages walking The Walk throughout life (like my "new" church,) I'm not sure that's a bad thing.
What do you think?
_____________________________
-HisCovenant/ Zipporah
My friends call me Zippy!
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RE: Women's Mentoring Programs - 9/15/2008 11:43:11 PM
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psalm116
Posts: 179
Joined: 9/23/2005
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: HisCovenant
Thanks for your kind words!! That's very encouraging to me.
You're welcome! 
quote:
ORIGINAL: HisCovenant
Jesus intentionally gathered 12 disciples around him to mentor. He then instructed them to makes disciples of all men. Jesus didn't set up a program, per se, but he was intentional about chosing those men, sticking with them, and asking them to have followers, as well. So, what's the difference between being intentional about mentoring/disciple making/shepherding a large congregation and a program?
I'm not sure I know the answer to that... I do know when I see an ineffective program that feels more like religion than relationship (like my old church)... but when a program builds relationships and encourages walking The Walk throughout life (like my "new" church,) I'm not sure that's a bad thing.
What do you think?
hmmm....not sure what I think. You hit the nail on the head about programs that feel more like religion than a relationship. But sometimes they aren't necessarily inefffective programs. Some very successful church programs are founded on religion instead of relationship, and that's sad.
I think an intentional integrating of a "mentorship" within programs already established is beneficial. i.e. our church has a prayer partner ministry where "more experienced" prayers are paired with "less experienced" prayers. Along with prayer time together it builds a relationship which leads to discussions which leads to mentoring without calling it as such. Know what I mean?
_____________________________
"I love the Lord because He hears my voice and my supplications. Because He has inclined His ear to me, Therefore I shall call upon Him as long as I live."
~Psalm 116:1,2
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RE: Women's Mentoring Programs - 9/16/2008 9:27:16 AM
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HisCovenant
Posts: 4334
Joined: 4/12/2005
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quote:
ORIGINAL: psalm116
programs that feel more like religion than a relationship. But sometimes they aren't necessarily inefffective programs. Some very successful church programs are founded on religion instead of relationship, and that's sad.
I agree with all you said, but especially wanted to point this quote out. Quite true!!
_____________________________
-HisCovenant/ Zipporah
My friends call me Zippy!
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RE: Women's Mentoring Programs - 9/16/2008 10:28:29 AM
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doinkdom
Posts: 4259
Joined: 4/12/2005
From: The higher lowcountry
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quote:
ORIGINAL: HisCovenant
I totally agree with you, but think about this:
Jesus intentionally gathered 12 disciples around him to mentor. He then instructed them to makes disciples of all men. Jesus didn't set up a program, per se, but he was intentional about chosing those men, sticking with them, and asking them to have followers, as well. So, what's the difference between being intentional about mentoring/disciple making/shepherding a large congregation and a program?
I'm not sure I know the answer to that... I do know when I see an ineffective program that feels more like religion than relationship (like my old church)... but when a program builds relationships and encourages walking The Walk throughout life (like my "new" church,) I'm not sure that's a bad thing.
What do you think?
I know for me, the difference is not in a meeting or prescribed assignment.
It is inviting someone over for coffee and developing the relationship. It's getting together to learn to sew, cook, balance a checkbook, etc. It's making yourself available at inconvenient times to give encouragement, give counsel, and even loving correction.
It's showing someone how to live their lives by doing everything to the glory of God. It's possible...it's simple...but it's not easy when you're alone.
Discipleship is about not doing life alone.
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