WAY2GO MAGAZINE OCT 23

I Am The Way,The Truth and the Life

Do you remember singing this song as a child—and as an adult? I do. What about these lines: ‘Without the way there is no going, without the truth there is no knowing, without the life there is no living’.

This song endures, for children and adults alike. Why is this I wonder? Perhaps it is the inherent truth within those words from John 14. Jesus makes this bold statement in response to Thomas’ question: “Lord, we don't even know where you are going! How can we know the way?” And Phillip follows with “Lord, show us the Father. That is all we need.” In a sense Jesus has already answered this in verse 6!

We lament the disciples being a little (if not very) dim at times but aren’t we all?! This simple song pulls us back to Jesus and his reason for coming to earth. The disciples had Jesus with them to show them the way, the truth, and the life. Who do we have?

Well, we have each other. We are not meant to live this life alone. One of the strategies in our Thrive programme is mentoring, which is a wonderful way of not doing life alone. In this edition of the WAY2GO magazine, we’ll look at mentoring and how you might be able to get started on that journey in your church.

Liz Eichler Children and Families Team Leader, SUNZ

What is Mentoring?

AND WHY BOTHER?

As part of our Thrive programme, we believe that faith thrives when:

• children and young people have someone to walk alongside them as they connect life and faith.

• children and young people have someone they trust to help them think through their questions and doubts.

• there is a safe space for them to reflect on their life experiences and where genuine care and concern are expressed.

• mentoring is intentional and ongoing.

Individual, small group and family mentoring can have a huge impact on

faith formation. This might look like a programme where a child or young person is paired with a mentor over the course of several years. It might look like buddying up the grandparents in your church with a family in your church, so they can pray for them and encourage them. Or it might be using your small group structure in a way that encourages mentoring.

THINK

• Is there someone in your life who has encouraged you in your faith in some way?

• How can you and your church encourage mentoring in your church life?

What do I need to Consider

IN A MENTORING PROGRAMME?

There are different models of mentoring programmes. We can provide you with them, but you need to think through what suits your situation best.

There are two main players in mentoring, the mentor and the mentee. There are others on the sidelines cheering them on—church leaders, mentoring co-ordinator, parents/caregivers.

THINK ABOUT...

• appointing a mentoring co-ordinator—this needs to be someone with the passion to see it through

• your expectations of mentors and mentees.

• safe practices in mentoring—if your church doesn’t have a health and

safety policy, get onto it right now! If you’re part of a denomination, ask them. Otherwise, we can help point you in the right direction.

• how to get started, how to match mentors and mentees, help break the ice, commissioning.

• what is expected of the mentoring session

o how often to meet

o good listening skills

o ice breaker ideas to help to start with

o a pattern to the meeting— structure gives safety

o Bible engagement ideas—if this is to be a part of your mentoring relationship/programme

• evaluation of the mentoring relationship and programme at a set time in future. 6 months? A year?

DON’T EVER BELIEVE THAT TEENS JUST WANT TO BE WITH THEIR PEERS!

They need significant adults who will love them, challenge them, be effective role models for them, hold them accountable and nurture their growing faith...teens need to be held in at the centre so there is a place they belong, not just while they are in youth ministry but also when they move on from youth ministry.’ WE

They need significant adults who will love them, challenge them, be effective role models for them, hold them accountable and nurture their growing faith... teens need to be held in at the centre so there is a place they belong, not just while they are in youth ministry but also when they move on from youth ministry.’

—YOU LOST ME BY DAVID KINNERMAN