There are a number of different ways that you can implement a Mentoring Ministry.
So many in fact that you may find it confusing!
Mentoring comes in all shapes and sizes.
Just as women have different needs, so do churches. I am praying God will clearly direct your team as you seek His will for your Mentoring Ministry.
Most Mentoring Ministries fall into one of these five categories:
1. Mentoring Teens – Teenage girls and older women are intentionally paired up for a defined amount of time (often for the school year or through high school).
2. Structured Mentoring – Usually consists of a 6, 9, or 12-month program. Women are prayerfully paired after completing a profile sheet. A structured program is followed and there is a definitive beginning and end.
3. Mentor Only Training – Women who have the desire to mentor other women are trained and equipped. Women are encouraged to prayerfully seek out other women that are interested in being mentored.
4. Organic – God-directed women seeking out one another. There is little structure and no start/end dates. The focus is on “doing life together” and each mentoring relationship is unique.
5. Match Maker – Women call or email to request a mentor. The leader prayerfully seeks out a woman to mentor her.
You may already have an idea of what type of program God is calling your team to launch.
It might be one of the above or a blend of two or more.
Our Mentoring Ministry Team had an idea of what type of mentoring program we felt would most benefit the women in our church. To launch our ministry we wanted to find a book that we could use during our Sunday evening Discipleship Classes.
Our team gathered approximately 10 different books on mentoring. We divided up the reading, took good notes, and then met to discuss the pros and cons of each method over several weeks. Yes, it was a lot of work, but it was worth it!
Not sure where to start your research?
I’ve taken the initial list of books we reviewed and have included it below. Women Connecting with Women, is the book we ultimately chose to use for that Discipleship class. However, we gathered and gleaned great information from almost every piece of material reviewed.
Organic Mentoring is one that I have not personally read. However, it comes highly recommended by several leaders I know. The author delves into what older/younger women are looking for in a mentoring program. Good food for thought!
Update: Since writing this original post, I have had the opportunity to review Growing Together and Disciple Her, both of which I would recommend. Click the titles to read my reviews.
Please note that each of these links is an affiliate link. You do not pay a penny more, but I receive a small commission which helps offset the costs of this site and is greatly appreciated!!
Mentoring Books
Between Friends…A Woman’s Look at Mentoring God’s Way
Impact My Life: Biblical Mentoring Simplified
Mentoring for All Season: Sharing Lifes Experiences and God’s Faithfulness
Organic Mentoring: A Mentor’s Guide to Relationships with Next Generation Women
Shepherding A Woman’s Heart: A New Model for Effective Ministry to Women
That Makes Two of Us: Lifestyle Mentoring for Women
Transforming Together: Authentic Spiritual Mentoring
Women Connecting with Women, Equipping Women for Friend-to-Friend Support and Mentoring
Women Mentoring Women: Ways to Start, Maintain, and Expand a Biblical Women’s Ministry
Woman to Woman Mentoring (Ministry Coordinator’s Guide)
Woman to Woman: Preparing Yourself to Mentor
Whew! I know that’s a lot, but each book is different.
Mentoring Posts and Podcast Episodes
Book Review: Growing Together
Book Review: Disciple Her
How to Minister to Angry Women
Discipleship Idea: Bible Study + Practical Skills
6 Ways Mentoring Brings the Generations Together
A Fresh (and much needed) Approach to Mentoring
Where have all the mentors gone?
What’s the difference between discipleship, Bible studies, and mentoring?
Selecting Discipleship, Mentoring, and Bible Study Materials
Once you know what type of mentoring ministry God is calling you to launch in your church or community, you’ll be able to narrow down which books and resources speak to that specific type.
Your turn to share: What type of Mentoring Ministry are you using or looking for?
I am looking for a profile form that will allow women to give their interests so that we can match those that have interests in common, like reading, cooking, sewing, teaching Bible studies, decorating, etc.
Barbara, I’m sorry, I don’t currently have a resource like that. However, I would encourage you to ask God to guide your mentoring matches. It’s okay if they don’t have many common interests – the one that matters most they have – they love Jesus and want to be more like Him.
Wanting to begin a program in our congregation. Like what you have available. Thank you
Thanks, Donna! May the Lord direct your steps and show you exactly what your church needs!