As we get started here with our second installment on Mentoring Ministries. (Check out Part One in lssue 392). I want to share with you a definition for mentoring by Carson Pue of Arrow Leadership Ministries.

"Christian mentoring is a dynamic, intentional relationship of trust in which one person enables another to maximize the grace of God in their life and service. Followers of Jesus know that we are called to mentoring. The basic requirement is a living relationship with God and an ability to listen and respond sensitively. If this is true of you, you can be God's agent in enriching another person's life."

I love that definition! Are you ready to organize a ministry that can enrich the lives of the women in your church? Come on then... lets get going!

Last week I shared the four characteristics that I have found in common with successful Mentoring Ministries. To recap, these ministries are Christ- centered, well organized, focused, and time specific.

As believers and followers of Jesus Christ, our lives must be Christ-centered. It simply follows that all ministry must also be Christ-centered. If our focus is there, then lives will be changed and God will be glorified.

That is the the first key to a successful Mentoring Ministry.

Now, let's talk about organization.

Good planning for a Mentoring Ministry takes time. Before you begin the planning process, gather your team and commit to pray about a Mentoring Ministry in your church for several weeks. Confirm with the Lord, and your team, that a Mentoring Ministry is right for your ministry! When you are ready, there are several things you will need to outline and then organize. Let's take a few minutes to walk through them.

I know that many of you are really interested in the nuts and bolts of putting together the applications and guidelines, so we will spend all of next week sharing what other churches have done. Stay tuned!

In Him... Robyne Beaubien, Editor

The best information we receive about the nuts and bolts of Women's Ministry is when we hear what you all are doing "in the trenches." Our new weekly poll is your opportunity to share your expertise and knowledge with all our subscribers!

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The good news is that there are many good books on mentoring available. As I browsed my library shelves for my favorites, I had a really hard time narrowing down my list. After some deep thought... and prayer, I finally have a list of my three favorites! These are just my favorite books... in a couple of weeks I will share some other mentoring resources with you. Stay tuned!

Spiritual Mothering: The Titus 2 Model for Women Mentoring Women by Susan Hunt

I bought this book in 1993, the year it was published and wore it out! To me, this book is all about women having a sincere interest in and heart for other women. It focuses on Titus 2:3-5 and uses biblical and contemporary examples of mentoring. One of the key points Susan shares is that all women can mentor regardless of their position or gifting.

 

Apples of Gold: A Six- Week Nurturing Program for Women by Betty Huizenga

This is definitely a how-to book. It is an actual program described in detail with stories of how it has worked. It has a specific focus, but can be modified to different types of classes and subjects for group mentoring. Definitely worth reading.

Women Connecting with Women, Equipping Women for Friend-to-Friend Support and Mentoring by Verna Birkey

One of the things I really like about this book is Verna's willingness to articulate where we in the church have sometimes fallen short in reaching out to all the women in our church. The back of her books sums up what her book is about the best:


In today's broken world, women are longing for warm relationships. This book is designed to help us avoid being miserable comforters-like Job's friends-and, instead, become "God with skin on" to others.

This book is not about a program, but about women's hearts being prepared to mentor. It would be a great study to kick-off a mentoring ministry.

Is your favorite not in my top three? Email me about your favorite mentoring book!

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The Waco, Texas Fresh Grounded Faith with Jennifer Rothschild will feature wonderful friend and funny woman Anita Renfroe (there's a reason she's received 4 million YouTube visits for her TotalMomsense performance). We'll also have incredible worship by former Women of Faith worship leader Shelley Jennings.

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