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Purpose
The WOMEN's Ministries Mentoring Program is designed to assist laypersons to develop their Gifts of the Spirit by integrating academic learning and spiritual growth with training in ministry, supervised by a team of personal mentors. The program is intended to support persons in transition from preparation for ministry to active ministry by integrating reading or course work in ministry with insights from a Mentoring Team who have training and experience in the chosen area of ministry focus. The Mentee's experienced Mentoring Team provides guidance for development and for ultimate placement in a ministry of volunteer or professional service in the Church, the wider community, or in an ecumenical setting.
The Mentee chooses a focus in one of six areas: Administrative, Adult Ministries, Pastoral Care, Outreach, Worship or Youth (includes Sunday School). The Mentee is assigned a WOMEN Mentoring Team Facilitator, who helps to identify two to four Mentors of the Mentee's choice, and who trains and coordinates with the Mentors. Mentors meet with the Mentee one-on-one at regular intervals, usually weekly, plus meet twice with the entire Mentoring Team, at the middle and at the end of the Mentee's Program. Meetings may be in person, or by telephone or internet.
Toward the end of the Program, the Mentee applies her learning to a project in her own parish, under the guidance and approval of her parish priest. The Program establishes an environment of challenging, yet supportive personal relationships around the Mentee and also builds up the local congregation.
The Program
The Mentee designs the outline for independent study in her chosen ministry, selecting an established course of study from a School of Theology, Seminary, or distance learning program, or creating a personalized study plan together with her Mentors. The Mentoring Manual will provide lists of recommended books for each area of ministry focus, plus lists of mentors, seminaries, religious education resources, and distance learning courses used by previous students.
Duration - Recommended time frame for program completion is from one to three years.
Cost - A one-time $50 U.S. materials fee to WOMEN provides the Mentee with a Mentoring Manual and assignment of a WOMEN Ministries Mentoring Team Facilitator, who trains new mentors, coordinates the course of study and monitors timely progress.
DESCRIPTION OF MINISTRIES MENTORING TEAM
The Ministries Mentoring Team (Team) consists of a WOMEN Team Facilitator plus a Mentor for each of four areas: Spiritual Guide, Clergy, Layperson and Professional. Mentors may be persons already involved with the Mentee's life who become qualified Mentors by completing a training Orientation Session, or persons selected from a list of already trained/qualified Mentors from the Church or relevant ministry community.
The Team may consist of a minimum of three to a maximum of five people: the WOMEN Team Facilitator plus two to four more persons (One person may be a Mentor for two different areas). Every Mentor must sign a "Mentoring Agreement" to: complete one training Orientation Session; assist the Mentee in developing the Learning Contract, and Personal Ministry Plan; participate in regularly scheduled individual mentoring meetings with the Mentee throughout the course of the Program; participate in two meetings of the entire Team; and offer introductions and references for the final project and active ministry placement. Role specific responsibilities are:
Ministry Team Facilitator: A qualified WOMEN member trained to lead the Ministry Mentoring Team (Team). Responsibilities are to provide resources and accountability for the Mentee and Mentors; coordinate and participate in two meetings of the entire Team; complete all required paperwork; communicate and meet with Mentee and Mentors on an as-needed basis.
Mentor 1. Spiritual Guide: A spiritual director, nun, monk, spiritual father or mother, clergy or other lay or community member experienced in spiritual formation. Responsibilities are to companion the Mentee in prayer and reflection on integrating learnings, from the perspective of Christian spiritual life and growth.
Mentor 2. Clergy: One clergy member, preferably from your own parish, trained and experienced in spiritual/theological reflection. Responsibilities are to assist and challenge Mentee to understand and articulate her Vision, Mission and Goals in light of her spiritual life, her ministry setting's mission, her personal gifts of the Spirit, and her potential contributions in her chosen ministry setting.
Mentor 3. Layperson: A layperson, preferably from within the chosen ministry setting, who exhibits the qualities of servant-leadership and mature spiritual life. Responsibilities are to assist Mentee to reflect on learnings from the perspective of realistic possibilities and obstacles in the chosen ministry setting; and be a mirroring, listening, supportive and encouraging presence.
Mentor 4. Professional: A person who is active professionally in the ministry area for which the Mentee is preparing. Responsibilities are to guide and assist Mentee to bridge theoretical preparation with real world professionalism; assist and challenge Mentee to understand and articulate her Goals, Objectives, Actions and Action Plan aimed at available ministry and service settings; and assist with introductions toward establishing the Mentee in an active ministry.
TO APPLY FOR THIS PROGRAM, CLICK HERE FOR THE MENTEE APPLICATION FORM |
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