mentoring
Wow. Life is happening fast these days. So many exciting things going on. Not that I'm without frustrations, but I'm too blessed to be stressed. Haha. Excuse the cheesy Christian bumper sticker, please.Seriously. My to-do list seems crazy, but I'm enjoying the ride. I'm stoked for Touch the Future, and Trinidad is right around the corner after that. But what I'm most excited about is a new endeavour, something I've been longing to do for years, but just now it's coming to fruition, and that's to become involved in mentoring. I've started meeting with one incredible young lady in whom I see so much potential...I want to encourage and equip her any way I can. What a privilege! It's just underway, but i'm enjoying it so much and I have so many ideas. I want to start with several others, but realistically I know I can't take on any additional responsibilities until late March.
So I've had thoughts and philosophies on discipleship/mentoring rolling around in my head for a while, but I'm trying to make them more concrete, practical and structured.
Entering the process, I outlined 6 key expectations I have of my self and commit to her.
1. Daily prayer - I will pray specifically for her each day.
2. Availability - She can call me any time.
3. Transparency - No question is off-limits.
4. Investment - I will devote time and energy into preparation and development of the process. The times we set to meet together are priority to me and I will guard them. It will never be an afterthought, a rush, or something to be cancelled flippantly.
5. Accountability - I am committed to helping her strive for new heights. When called for, I will provide a reality check or a "kick in the pants".
6. Confidentiality - I will always place high value on her trust.
This list might not be comprehensive or even articulated perfectly, but it's a framework to start with. I also stumbled upon this book on my shelf last weekend and I've nearly finished it. It's insightful. I'm really enjoying Tim Elmore's materials right now, even though he uses a lot of acronymns.
Anyways...I'm very open to dialogue, comments, & suggestions. What experience have you had in mentoring...providing or receiving? How much structure did it have and what did it look like? What was most helpful? What was not so beneficial? Other thoughts?
posted by sibbie751 @ 10:55 p.m.
19 Comments:
Okay so my thoughts on mentoring...
~Always a good thing (when done properly)
~ in my experience (on both ends) I feel that the overall mentoring experience is always better (heightened if you will), and more productive, (meaningful if you will) when snacks are involved. Really any kind of refreshments are good. I may not remember the entire mentoring conversation have you - but I do remember the pizza, or diet coke, or muffin, and with whom I shared it with.
Food (again, when you used properly) can help forge a very meaningful relationship and experience. Snacks in general tend to get a bad rap these days......but use them for good, not evil, and I'm a big fan and supporter. Good snacks can help most any situation.
Give 'er a try and let me know how it works for you!
Cheers!
kristi makes me giggle (chuckle, if you will).
my thoughts on mentoring:
1) Can be great
2) As long as the mentee does not become co-dependent. Then you will break his/her little heart. This is hard not to do, because their are many needy people out there who have not had good parenting or encouragement. So be careful not to say terms of life long endearment unless you mean them and are prepared to live them out.
3) Specify the amount of time to begin a trial run on the relationship. "Ok, we'll try out this mentoring thing for six months, and then evaluate whether or not we feel led to commit to more time."
that's all. Good luck aud!
Ah Jo - I've missed you girl! Thanks for the every so touching response of my ability to make you giggle.
I appreciate the feedback even though this isn't my blog to get feedback from. But since Audrey isn't, shall we say, responsible in responding to the thought provoking comments we leave to her - I guess it's up to us to keep it going for her!
So just an update on my method. Audrey tried it last week for a general missions meeting - and I must say SHE WAS A SUCCESS!!! I was proud to see her bring out the cupcakes, coffee cake, tea, coffee, and juice. I think she would agree that it changed the entire setting into one of complete relaxation!
Cudos to Snauds!!!
really kristi, your "method" is ingenious! (brilliant if you will).
hospitality (when done properly) usually involves food. ministry (when done properly) requires hospitality. therefore, food is a necessary for ministry!
my dear aud, my heart is gladdened to hear the positive report of your obedience and of the great things that food is doing in your moncton midst!
as the famous successful mentor, the apostle paul says, "i pray that you may be strengthed [nourished if you will] in your inmost being..."
bon appetit & gloria a Dios!
-the disciple josephine of mecca.
p.s. one legal suggestion: perhaps it is only fair (lawful, if you will) for kristi to be paid a percentage of royalties (a tithe from each food serving, if you will) if this method is a long-term proven success. :) i would hate to hear of dissention amongst you; do be sure to continue to actualize these things legally (properly, if you will).
Oh Jo, you far surpase me (exceed my talents, if you will).
I appreciate (admire, if you will) the connection you make between ministry, hospitality, and food. It should be published (in print if you will). And of course if it is, I should also get royalties from that as well -since I am the creator of 'the method' shall we call it?!
I think we are on to something here....our future together is bright (like a star if you will)
Too bad Audrey doesn't use her own blog. Good thing she's got friends (comrads if you will) like us to keep it interesting for her though!!
Toodles....
Gee, Audrey, since you continue to remain silent, and given my need for responsive attention, i will again address Kristi, because she seems to care about the art of conversation....
Hello again Kristi,
Thank you for the O-so-affirming comment!
I too, see potential in our blogging future. What with your talent and my talent put together, we could really wield a lot of power. Only, power corrupts, and as good holiness women, we should not want to tempt ourselves by the inevitable corruption that power brings. So, to keep ourselves humbly serving in hospitality and ministry, I propose we discuss food. I like food. I like these foods specifically:
-Strawberry-rhubarb pie
-chilled tapioca pudding with a dollup of whipped cream on top.
-chicken cordon bleu
-jambalaya
-pad thai
-omlettes
-tomato soup
How about you? What specific foods do you prefer?
Okay Jo - Yes I said JO, NOT AUDREY!! You were using some bog words there until you got the part about Food - which I like.
First shall I say, we could have one mean food party girl. I'm not sure about the jambalaya, but other than that - we eat the same. PAD THAI baby!! I ADORE Thai food. Audrey (the girl who originally built this blog) and I have made it together at my house before - we are hardcore!!
My favorites are:
Sweet & Sour meatballs (homemade from my mother-in-laws recipe, the best!!)
Chicken enchiladas (authentic, homemade recipe from New Mexico thanks my girlyfriend who was reared there)
Chicken Lasagna
Pasta Salads
Anything from the bakery-hmmmmmm
(muffins, pastries..you name it)
Stir fry
Pineapple
Strawberries
Blueberries
Apple Crumble (with caramel in it)
Any pie (except cherry)
CHOCOLATE
Donairs
Spinach (yep)
Squash (oh yeah baby!)
Pumpkin Torte (to die for!)
Pot Roast
Anything Thai (not too spicy please)
Skor cake
Pavlova
Fresh veggies
And that's just one meal!!! haha!!
let's rename her blog!!! I'll divert her and get her password! Who's sibbie751 anyways?? What up with that?
Start thinking of new names Jo!! (and food!)
Oh my word...I check almost everyday to see if my one or two friends have taken the time to see what's on my blog and day after day, nothing. Then, life gets busy, I don't check for a few days...whamo. It's a blogging coup d'etat. Yikes.
I love Pad Thai.
Welcome back Audrey! Anywho...
Jo,
I like the name 'overthrown'.....you?
Kristi
Yes, Kristi, "overthrown" is a good and strong title!
Although Audrey has reappeared, her authority has been clearly compromised; her government is weak:
Here we were, two of her closest friends, conspiring against the authority of her monarchy and plotting revolution right before her very eyes--and she didn't even notice!
My vote is for a new form of government! A government BY the people, FOR the people, and OF the people. (You and I are the people here).
As an act of our good charity, we shall allow Queen Audrey to remain on the throne ruling her blog as a puppet monarch....with you and I pulling the strings behind the scenes (by vote of Parliament if you will).
Another suggested title for our new blog/e-country: "Hijacked Kingdom." It has a nice ring to it doesn't it?
Also, we should begin making a few rules (laws if you will) so as to keep order in this new country.
Here are the first four articles of the New Constitution brought before you for your vote:
1) Every comment made on this blog needs to mention at least one food item in some way.
2) Every comment made on this blog needs to use parenthesis at least once.
3) Every comment on this blog needs to insert a compliment of some variety.
4) No character bashing. Let us learn a lesson from the history of Aj's blog/ The attempted Jonny Smith Regime: where there is character bashing, there is chaos.
I had cheezit crackers for lunch :)
Cudos to you my sweet Jo. What a splendid idea.
I esp. like the new rules that shall govern this blog (shall we call it?). I also like the new title your propose. Hijacked Kingdom is way better than Overthrown- who thought of that crap anyways??? hmmmm.
But does the mere action of overthrowning (if you will) Audrey's very own blog go against rule #4 in some sort of way? Just a thought...one to at least consider before we go about destroying our dear friend....
Another thought on rule #4...AJ is my nemisis (or however you spell that word) I shall call him nemi.
I'm going to the grocery store tonight. The possibilites there are endless.......
Kristi, you have brought up a very important ethical question. The question is not whether or not we CAN oust Audrey from her throne, it is SHOULD we oust Audrey from her throne? Audrey does indeed have many admireable qualities. She is insightful, funny, witty, and she likes food, too. (esp. pad thai, let's not forget that). Perhaps what this blog needs instead of revolution is reform! Moreover, REFORMED governments tend to sit well with more parties...
So, here is my new proposal: We make the government into a triumvirate! Yes, that is "rule by a group of three." What do you think Kristi? Shall we forgive Audrey for not providing the citizens of blogdom with national security in one instance? She DID afterall, have the courage to admit her mistake....
Also, I fear that you and I, Kristi dear, are FAR TO BRILLIANT to have control of all the power. For, as i said before, anyone in power is inevitabley going to become corrupt....DO WE REALLY WANT TO BECOME CORRUPT???? Brilliant, corrupted leaders and the most dangerous of all. Perhaps Audrey can bring the moral balance to our decisions (not that she isn't brilliant too, just that she doesn't lust for power as much as you and I do).
let me know....
I had spinach-quiche for lunch. Yummy!
p.s. the sooner these minor governmental decisions are made we can go back to talking about the thing of REAL importance: FOOD and its use as a catalyst to transform lives.
P.S. My dear Kristi,
I understand why someone like the AJ Thomas would be a suitable nemesis. On several occasions I have thought his ideas very contrary and disturbing. It is very disturbing to me that a man who claims to only read two books a year (TWO books mind you!) feels that his worldview is superior to all others (i mean, he attempted a regime for crying out loud! THAT's TYRANNY!). To clarify, what I personally oppose is not AJ as a person, but AJ (ideas) as an influencial power.
I can wholeheartedly join and partner with you in this endeavor. However, let us be careful, (in our attempts to conquer) not to sink to HIS level of character assasination. Let us rather, fight his ideas!! For many of his ideas are clearly absurd and not suitable for popular society.
p.p.s. With each comment that passes between us, you are become more and more endeared to me. :)
"Far to brilliant", eh? How about spelling "too" correctly? ;)
spelling is not my strong-suit. yet another reason why you are indisposable audrey!
Far too brain dead to respond to all the 'big words' shall we call them. If you notice my blog you'll see that Mya has already once turned off the computer on me- arrrr. So let me respond to the most important things.
I love spinache quiche.....yummmmayummmummm.
TWO books a year? I've just completed 6 books in the last week!! What up with that nemi??
Yes Audrey is moral.
I'm no good at spelling. Growing up in the era of spell check you know.
Jo- endearing to me you indeed. But before you all head over heels for me we should discuss Audrey Hepburn. I saw a little 'somthin' 'somethin' about her in one of your posts....it's a tad bothersome I must admit. But certainly overcomable (is that a word?). Nothing, after all, can break the bond of food...and the like....
Must go...I'm so hungry...(as usual)
surely by referring to audrey hepburn you are not implying that you are a tweed-lover!! [jo goes to the cupboard to retreive tylenol for headache].
however, you have a fantabulously amazing capacity to read speedily! if you have a "method" for this as well, please do share it, as i have too many books to read.
really, what's up with the "mya pushed the button" line? it's probably just that you have not gotten over your picture shyness.
now, as far as this you pushing me away from endearing you stuff---where did that come from? perhaps you have been reading my blog archives and have found things to be too serious or offensive. for this, my dear kristi, i am sorry (except i'll never recant about tweed and how only audrey hepburn can wear it). She, and perhaps the Romanov dynasty daughters.
now, about this nemi problem. does HE know that he is your nemi? do you know if HE reads this blog? or do we need to infiltrate his?
Ah, clarification is always grand. Phew, Audrey Hepburn. I LOVE her! She's one of my all time favs. Love her acting, her movies, and esp. her style. I DO like tweed - HOWEVER sweet Jo. I tend to agree (yes I said agree, see the clarification coming) with you that only Audrey Hepburn can pull it off well. Though I've looked at tweed, in my attempts to be Audreyish, I have never found that I myself look good in it (able to pull it off if you will). So as long as you aren't an Audrey (Hepburn) hater then bring on the love baby. Lets endear each other!!
And yes, Mya pants DID push the freakin' button. She tends to do this when I'm totally captivated by the computer. Just when I'm getting somewhere I hear the thing start to die and turn to see my little monkey happily poking at the glowing button!! arrrrr... And me..picture shy....hmmmm....you have much to learn dear Jo. But thanks anywho!
Yes AJ (also known as gAJ - get it..say it outloud) knows he is my nemi b/c we are nemis for each other. Love/hate relationship. It's been this way for years. So many things we love to share, icecream for ex., but also some things we can't get over with one another. (mostly me vs. him really) The guy just won't some things go - like his hatred towards certain music groups.
All in all, it's all very friendly - but nemish just the same. So, yes, he's aware.
On a lighter note. My lunch wasn't so great. Leftover tuna cass. isn't very good heated up. Note to self: toss it. I'm more optimistic about dinner though.
Must run. Just got a new washing machine so much laundry to do.....
SIGH. I suppose I can still be endeared to you and endear you to myself EVEN THOUGH you like tweed. However, it is quite a shocking discovery. I have always thought you to be a person who had impeccable taste (a connoisseur if you will) in such things as fashion, style, and more recently, food.
I'm also relieved to hear that your nemesis (and therefore also MY nemesis vicariously) gAJ (BRILLIANT! by the way!) is not a serious threat to you. Indeed, if he is blaming boy bands he is not a formidable foe.
Besides, you and I collectively read more in a week than he likely does in five years. Therefore, should such a war-time come, I am confident that OUR ingenuity and innovation will prevail.
and ewh. TUNA. really??? tuna??
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