Mentoring

What is Spiritual Mentoring?

My definition of Spiritual mentoring is : a covenant relationship, attentive to the presence and action of God and the work of the Spirit, facilitating, enabling and empowering the mentee to reach potential, increasing their experience of grace, living out of their identity as a child of God, and finding their place in the kingdom work God has set them aside to do.

Mentoring is for anyone who has a desire to discern and live God’s will more fully, or be attuned to His presence more completely … to pay attention to God’s call and respond with a life of prayer, obedience, holiness, service and love.  David Benner, ‘Care of Souls’

Mentoring is about the mentor and mentee working together with the Spirit, to deepen the mentee’s relationship and intimacy with God. The mentor accompanies the mentoree in their spiritual journey and offer encouragement, discernment and accountability.

The mentoring process includes a special bond of trust where stories and life experiences can be shared. We explore how the Spirit of God is active in your life and monitor how the mentoree is responding to this in order to grow and “let God transform you inwardly” (Romans 12:2).  To do this, we listen, to each other and the Holy Spirit, and develop discernment and awareness of God for all of life.  Spiritual Mentoring is also a place to explore and discern vocation (our unique calling from God) and how this can be expressed in the wider ministry of God’s Kingdom.

Usually, goals are developed in initial sessions, and reviewed every few months.  Achieving these goals requires a commitment to inner work: a willingness to be open, to reflect and pray. The mentor supports this work with deep listening, honest feedback, affirmation, accountability and encouragement. It is expected that between sessions, the mentoree spends time in reflection, prayer, attending to God’s Word and practicing set exercises (such as spiritual disciplines). Recommended reading, and reflection exercises may be suggested on spiritual formation and personal growth – some resources are available to borrow.