Bermuda Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

Spiritual mentoring is one person, experienced in faith, who undertakes to spend time and effort to help a new member to grow as a disciple of Christ.

It had been noted at a recent Personal Ministries Council Meeting at the church that some newly baptized members were often missing from church services and other activities, or some of our younger members are being brought up in a home where only one parent, usually the mother, was a Seventh-day Adventist. Some members recalled the days when it was customary to assign a spiritual “guardian” to newly baptized members on the day of their baptism. After some discussion, it was then decided that the church would identify all recently baptized adults and young people and set about asking members to become their mentors.  Fifteen mentors and 19 mentees were named on June 20 and it is also the church’s intention to assign a spiritual mentor to future members at their baptism.

The members spent some time thinking about the spiritual gifts, talents and interests of the prospective mentors and mentees in order that the mentors and their charges would be matched as closely as possible.

During the service, there was an emphasis on the role of a mentor explained by the reading of “The Six Important Roles of a Spiritual Mentor”.  These are Prayer, Presence, Praise, Push, Perseverance, and Purpose.  A brief biography of the mentors was read as they were introduced to their charges who stood beside them.  In addition, the mentor was given a charge outlining some practical ways that they could exercise their roles. 

The service ended with a prayer of consecration by Pastor Damon Hendrickson, pastor of the Midland Heights Church.

Midland Heights Mentors and Mentees

A Charge to the Spiritual Mentor

You have been chosen to perform the important work of a Spiritual Mentor.  Your brothers and sisters have placed great confidence in you and have given you the sacred responsibility to love, nurture and encourage the one in your charge along the Christian pathway. You, who have already been experiencing the joy of growing in Christ, now have the privilege of sharing this experience with those who have just begun their walk with Christ. 

1. In kindness and love, be a friend to your charge.
2. Always show them genuine interest, being careful never to pry into personal matters.
3. Take time to visit with your charge, inviting them home for a meal, if possible.
4. Watch out for them at the services of the church.  Sit with them at times & make them feel welcome.
5. When they are absent, discover the reason immediately, letting them know that they are missed.
6. Privately, spend time in prayer for your charge.
7. Ever be an example to them, and by precept encourage them to look to Jesus as the example in the Christian walk.
8. Introduce them to other church members and incorporate them into the functions of our church life.
9. Assist them with their problems, being careful to counsel with the pastor on matters of great importance.
10. Contact your pastor should you for any reason be unable to fulfill your obligation as a Spiritual Mentor.
    

                                               God bless you!

Comments (0)

Subscribe to this comment's feed

Name

Email

Website

Title

Comment

smaller | bigger

I have read and agree to the Terms of Usage.

Write the displayed characters

Add Comment