Mentoring

I've been doing a lot of thinking over the past couple of months about mentoring. The idea has been at the back of my mind for some time as it is something that i was involved with a bit a SBC. Anyway i spent some time doing one to ones over the summer with a number of the young people, just sitting drinking coffee asking how things are going with God. The comments that came back from the young people were can't we do this more often, just talking informally about God and my journey. I had no plans to look at this this year but it seems to be something really exciting and organic. Below are a couple of quotes from young people in Contemplative Youth ministry that seem to highlight the importance of these cross generational relationships.

“The adults who make Christianity come alive are the adults who take an interest in me – the adults who show an interest in my life as well as a passion and interest in their own lives. Not only do they say, ‘Hey, how are things going with you? They’re also willing to sit down and say, ‘Let me tell you what’s going on with me.’ Those are the people I really enjoy. Those are the people who have kept me in church.”

Nathaniel, age 19


Adults have to show kids that they’re loved by God. They can tell you as much as they want, but they have to show you in some way. They have to show you that no matter what you do, even if you drop lasagne on the couch, it’ll be ok – like ‘We’ll get over it. The couch was ugly in the first place. One more stain won’t kill it. Life goes on.’ This is so much easier than if they just keep telling you like, ‘Hey you’re the beloved of God. Just believe it.’ It’s easier when they show it to you and you can do stupid stuff, and you can tell that they love you, no matter what.

Amanda – Age 15