MentorInterview
MentorInterview
FirstChristian leader: Jordan Jefferson
Email:Jordanjefferson1991@gmail.com
1.Who initiated the mentoring relationship—the Mentor or the Mentee?
Throughmy local church, we assign respectable men within the congregation asmentors. These men are normally fathers or people of honorableoccupation. These people must be kind hearted and caring men fortheir families, communities, and church family. For my case, thementor initiated the mentoring relationship.
2.When and where do you meet?
Normallywe meet at the church. Often, we meet with our mentees at communityevents such as concerts, games, and special programs. The programtargets single-mothers and widowed women within our church. The mensometimes perform simple tasks such as taking them to be fitted for atuxedo, or find an outfit for students who want dress up. So,ventures can extend to the mall and local restaurants.
3.How is the time spent? (Format, accountability, confidentiality,evaluation, closure)
Menmeet with mentees at church for formal mentor meetings. The entirementorship program meets and men teach different tasks to theirmentees. Changing car battery, spark plug tips, grilling, and cookingare just a few of the topics that some men have covered with theirstudents.
4.What is the most difficult aspect of the relationship?
Ibelieve that the most difficult aspect of the relationship is tryingto expose the mentee to different experiences. Depending on thestudent’s background, they have different views on the events andpractices shared with them. In addition, when students have not had afather figure, it is difficult for them to talk men and form abonding relationship.
5.What is the most significant result of the relationship?
Intimes past, students have been encouraged to attend college insteadof joining the work force. Many times, we find that students needthat support system. Some of them do not get it at home. We try to doour best to provide that experience for them.
SecondChristian Leader: Rev.Hooker
Email:revhooker@gmail.com
Who initiated the mentoring relationship—the Mentor or the Mentee?
Mycurrent mentoring relationship as a mentor is with two seminarianswho are working on an MDiv. At ITC in Atlanta. The students are AME,and they initiated the relationship for a single semester as a partof a class assignment.
When and where do you meet?
Weactually met once, but our primary meeting is over the phone onThursday’s nights at 8:45 pm. This has proven to be a good time forall three of us.
How is the time spent? (Format, accountability, confidentiality, evaluation, closure)
Wespend two minutes in prayers, ten minutes in class work, ten minutesin questions and answer forum, and another ten minutes in follow upfor their class lecture, 10 minutes going over the current readingassignment, and then we close with over with questions, person lifeissues, and prayer.
What is the most difficult aspect of the relationship?
Keepingto the hour we have set that is, starting on time and ending on time
What is the most significant result of the relationship?
Ithought this would be a great opportunity to teach these persons moreabout Wesley and improve my knowledge of some of the current trends.The surprise has been how the discussions have flown into mypreaching and teaching at my local church.
Rationalewhy spiritual mentoring is important
Spiritualmentoring is about modeling a mature Christian life, as well asanswering student’s questions when a need arise. Mentoringis important because it provides an outlet for students to expressthemselves and have a positive input on situations that affect them.Mentoringallows you to build relationships around what you believe in and toextend your witness of Christ and ministry to others. It is apowerful and effective tool to deal with the real life. It helps aperson a person to feel God’s experience in daily life, as well ascultivate practice for a rich and vivacious life. Further, spiritualmentoring helps people to grow their relationship with Christ.Andersonand Randy (1999)1note that spiritual mentoring integrates the shattered life ofmentees into an abundant life. They become spiritually mature hence,grow increasingly like Jesus. As a result, they make the world abetter place. Through mentorship training, a mentee gains a clearunderstanding of how to deal with different situations. For instance,they learn the importance of helping the poor, reconciling with abroken relationship, training people to live an abundant life, amongothers.
Similaritiesand differences between the two mentoring interviews
Afterinterviewing JordanJeffersonand Rev. Hooker, I realized there were some similarities anddifferences in the ways they answered the questions. I asked both ofthem five similar questions hence, I expected answers that are moresimilar. To my surprise, this was not the case. Firstly, Rev.Hooker’s answers were short and precise. He answered to the pointevery question. For instance, when I asked him when they meet, hegave me the exact time, as well as what they do during their meeting.On the other hand, when I posed the similar question to JordanJefferson, he did not give the exact time they meet, but ratherexplained on what they do. Additionally, Hooker meetings are timed.That is, every activity has its allocated period. For instance, theytake two minutes in prayers and ten minutes were for doing classwork. This is unlike the Jefferson’s answers that do not specifythe period their activities.
However,they were also some similarities in the two interviews. For instance,my two interviewees answered all my questions precisely. They wouldexplain every concept in detail that I seemed not to understandclearly. Secondly, they were both eager to be interviewed, as well asgive their thoughts and understanding of spiritual mentorship.Lastly, they are both very devoted to Christianity and arekind-hearted people.
Threelessons on mentoring learned from the interviews and how they willimpact my implementation of mentoring
Patience
Ihave had to become patient with students when we discuss certaintopics about bullying, handing problems, and situations, and withrelationships. This will help me to rear the students the way that Iwas reared in the aspect of implementing some of the same strategies,ideologies, and concepts that were taught to me.
Accessibility
Itry to be available to my students by supporting events, attendinggames, and special things in their lives such as graduation. As aresult, I believe students will always look upon me in case they needany assistance.
Relevancy
Itry always to remain relevant to my students and try to make surethat they feel comfortable discussing things with me. This will helpme to be a friendly person.
Bibliography
Anderson,Keith, and Randy D. Reese. SpiritualMentoring: A Guide for Seeking and Giving Direction.Downers Grove, Ill: InterVarsity Press, 1999.
1 Anderson, Keith, and Randy D. Reese. Spiritual Mentoring: A Guide for Seeking and Giving Direction. Downers Grove, Ill: InterVarsity Press, 1999