CONTENTS OF THIS PAGE

Mentoring Overview

"Mentoring is a relatively recent term especially in Christian circles, but what it describes has been the focus of Christian community since the early church. It is a dynamic relationship of trust in which one person enables another to maximise the grace of God in his/her life and service. It has a sound biblical and theological basis with Jesus as the ultimate model, retaining all that is consistent with his life and teaching."

 

Extract from "Mentoring to Develop Disciples and Leaders" by John Mallison

WATCHING OVER ONE ANOTHER IN LOVE

John Wesley's 'General Rules for Methodist Fellowships' (Societies) released in 1743 included, 'Watch over one another in love'. This was the key to his success in retaining those who were converted through that revival. In class meetings and one-to-one, they cared for one another. "Watching over one another" is the essence of mentoring.

PART OF THE FABRIC OF LIFE

Mentoring has always been part of the fabric of society. Parents play a major role in mentoring their children, especially in their earlier years. The artisan/apprentice relationship or the coach of an individual sportsperson or team are common forms of mentoring or coaching. There is a growing emphasis upon mentoring at all levels of commerce, industry, education and public life. An abundance of secular training courses and resources on the subject are widely promoted.


Increasingly, those who take their Christian discipleship and service seriously are seeing the value of having a friend and adviser with whom they can share openly and to whom they can be accountable. As the wise old sage said, 'Two are better than one' (Eccl. 4:9)

JESUS - OUR PRIME MODEL

Jesus, interacting with his disciples, provides our prime mentoring model.  The New Testament is full of ‘one another’ and ‘together’ passages, pointing to Christianity as a relational lifestyle, about community, the power of togetherness.

YOU CAN DO IT

Mentoring is a very significant role every Christian disciple can fulfil - irrespective of age or experience - it is not restricted to ‘giants of the faith’.   The basic requirement is a living relationship with God and an ability to listen and respond sensitively, and to encourage.  If this is true of you, you can be God’s agent in enriching another person’s life.

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Mentoring Book By John Mallison

Mentoring Book

"Mentoring To Develop Disciples and Leaders". Released 1998, revised August, 2004 and reprinted 2010. Click HERE for contents, commendations, reviews or to order.

 

 

Resources For Mentoring Sessions

Diagnostic tools, discussion starters, Bible studies, articles, etc, for use in mentoring and training sessions and retreats.

DIAGNOSTIC TOOLS
DISCUSSION STARTERS
BIBLE STUDIES

The following Bible studies can be completed by a mentoree and then reflected on in a mentoring sessions. They are useful resources in training events or during retreats.

MENTORING/DISCIPLESHIP ARTICLES

In this section experienced Christian leaders share their reflections on specific issues/challenges they have faced, how they sought to deal with them and the actual outcomes. These are not "sermonettes" but open, honest sharing of the struggles faced by those who seek "to live and walk in the Spirit" , making Jesus Christ their Lord. A few reflective questions accompany each resource. Mentors can occasionally have their mentorees work on one of these resources between sessions with the aim of relating it to their own situations and reporting back their responses.

OTHER MATERIAL

** Video Interview of John by Rowland Forman **

Resources For Transition Retreats

For those passing through a significant change in their life and/or the vocation/ministry, the following link contains comprehensive notes for leaders and resources for retreatants. They are designed and have been used extensively by John Mallison with positive outcomes.

Articles by John Mallison to Promote Mentoring

Helpful Ideas On Mentoring By Other Authors

Legal Pitfalls In Mentoring And How To Avoid Them

Most denominations have their Codes of Ethics with which all helpers need to be cognisant. This resource focuses on legal matters of which it is imperative we are fully aware, especially in the current climate of litigation.

Recommended Reading for Mentoring/Discipleship

           (By no means an exhaustive list)

 

   You will find detailed descriptions and reviews of most of these books at Amazon

   UNDERSTANDING DISCIPLESHIP, CHURCH DISCIPLESHIP FOCUS AND MENTOR TRAINING
  GENERAL MATERIAL FOR USE IN DISCIPLING RELATIONSHIPS
  ASSURANCE OF SALVATION RESOURCES
  JERRY BRIDGES BOOKS - CHRISTIAN LIFE, GROWTH AND DISCIPLESHIP
  OTHER RESOURCE BOOKS - CHRISTIAN LIFE, GROWTH AND DISCIPLESHIP
  DOWNLOADABLE RESOURCES - VARIOUS

These resources are from the RBC Ministries website (www.rbc.org) - there are many more similar articles within the Discovery Series area (all files are PDF format).

  DOCTRINE
  TARGETED BIBLE STUDY MATERIAL - BIBLE, GENERAL

Links to other MENTORING/DISCIPLESHIP WEBSITES

Peter Corney - Foundations: Perspectives on the Christian Faith and Culture

John Mark Ministries -

A counseling, consulting, preaching, mentoring, seminar and writing ministry, especially for pastors, ex-pastors, church leaders and their spouses.

The Bible Unpacked - Paul J. Mallison

Mentoring Disciples- Waylon B. Moore's comprehansive Discipleship site

Barnabas Network - Rev. Mike Robinson's website

World Vision (Australia) Kid's Hope Program (see Kid's Hope endorsement below)

Rod Denton - Equipping the next generation (ENG). See John's endorsement of Rod Denton below.

Campus Crusade for Christ

Christian Mentoring: Equipping Believers to Evangelize, Nurture, Disciple and Multiply

Discipleship Encounters

Discipleship Library

Discipleship Resources from the Upper Room Bookstore (USA) - S A Media Com

Evangelism Toolbox

General Board of Discipleship

Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary - Dimensions of the Faith courses

Gospelcom - Discipleship Resources

The Navigators

Omega Discipleship Ministries - discipleship courses for sale

RBC Ministries

The Theology Program- theology training site with discussion forum


Christian Menotring would like to ensdorse the Kid's Hope program which originated in the USA and was introduced into Australia by World Vision when John Mallison was Chari Person of their national committee responsible for this innovation. Here is some detail about what they do:



"World Vision's KIDS HOPE AUS is an early intervention mentoring program for primary school children. The KIDS HOPE AUS model - 'One Child, One Hour, One Church, One School' works by establishing a partnership between a local church and a local primary school. The church commits to appointing a coordinator who is trained to recruit, screen, train and support a team of mentors who will meet one-to-one with a primary school child for at least one academic year. A mark of the success of these mentoring relationships is the fact that most mentors choose to continue mentoring their child for several years. In just five years, more than 3000 children have been matched with their own caring mentor from a local church."


Here are 2 examples of 'stories of the week':


Jocelyn has been mentoring Kate for a year.  Throughout last year Kate was always in trouble at school - on detention and summoned to the Principal's office.  Half way through the first term of 2010, Kate ran up to Jocelyn with some very exciting news - she hadn't been in trouble once this year.  Jocelyn and Kate were over the moon!


After a wonderful Christmas KIDS HOPE AUS. Party last December (Jumping Castle and all ) one of the mentored children whose Mum, Dad and brother attended was saddened, as she was going to High School the following year and would not be mentored any more.  Her solution was to ask her whole family to come to our church.  They were welcomed and cared for and have attended regularly ever since!


For more information please visit the Kid's hope website. To receive regular 'Stories of the Week' contact the Kid's Hope Office at World Vision directly on (03) 9287 2606 or email chris.wright@worldvision.com.au.


Rod Denton - Equipping the Next Generation (ENG)

Allow me to introduce you to Rod Denton, one of my long term mentorees who two years ago began a new season of life in a ministry he has entitled Equipping The Next Generation.


Following 28 years as a pastor serving in Melbourne and Adelaide, Rod together with his wife Sue, have stepped out in faith to respond to the great need of investing in leaders in Australia and also in a number of Asian countries. Rod's ministry includes mentoring, seminars, consulting in Churches, writing and recording of leadership materials, preaching and various retreats.


Rod is one of Australia's most outstanding Christian leaders who in an exemplary fashion has led a very effective missional church, skillfully managing, mentoring and developing a large leadership team.


Many leaders nationally and internationally have greatly benefited from his well received leadership training events.


His varied skills, wide experience and intimate relationship with Christ will enable him to equip many new and mature leaders to serve and finish well. He is a devoted husband and father.


To find out more about Rod and his ministry, please go to his web site at www.roddentoneng.com.au


.....John Mallison