Spiritual Mentor Job Description
What
are some of the things the Ascending Lights Spiritual
Mentor does when meeting with the student?
- Faith
development in the Ascending Lights program is as
important as academic achievement at college. Mentors
will receive in the mail an Ascending Lights Spiritual
Enrichment Exercise to be done with the student (See
Spiritual Enrichment Exercise Example and Instructions).
A member of the Ascending Lights staff will contact
each Spiritual Mentor to review the outcomes of the
monthly meetings and give the mentor an update on
the academic progress of the student.
- The
mentor should clearly define the tasks involved in
the Christian service that the student is going to
perform. The young person also needs to know what
successful performance looks like.
-
The Ascending Lights Spiritual Mentor should insure
that the student is properly trained for the volunteer
service.
- The
mentor monitors the performance of the student in
the assigned Christian service project.
What interpersonal skills are used in developing
a strong working relationship with the student?
-
Listening: People are often able to sort out their
problems and arrive at good Christian solutions just
by having someone with whom they can “talk out”
the situation.
-
Faith sharing: One of the best ways to build up the
Christian faith of a person is by example. A mentor
may have had similar experiences to those being reported
by the student. Mentors are encouraged to tell students
about how God worked in their own lives when they
were confronted with similar experiences. By portraying
themselves as “real people” they gain
credibility and the trust of the student.
- Counseling:
Through informal conversations mentors can help young
people gain a different perspective of their problems
and their own abilities to deal successfully with
them.
-
Educating: The mentor can also perform the role of
a teacher. While it may be easier to do specific things
for a young person who is struggling with a problem,
the benefit to the student will be much greater if
he or she is taught how to deal with problems as they
arise.
-
Coaching: Giving advice and providing feedback in
a charitable manner are important when a young person
takes on new challenges. Coaches give praise for a
job well done, encouragement when the going gets tough
and constructive criticism when changes are required.
A mentor should always emphasize the positive with
a student before focusing on the negative aspects
of a particular behavior.
-
Role Modeling: Mentors can help their students develop
Christian values, leadership skills, and good interpersonal
communications simply by being a model of those behaviors
for the student.
How
long of a commitment is required of a mentor?
Each case will vary. The mentor should be prepared to
commit to work with the student for a period of two
years. After that period, the mentor may choose to continue
for an agreed upon period or pass the responsibilities
to another individual. Students generally require from
three to five years to complete the Ascending Lights
program.
What
sort of training will mentors receive?
Each new mentor is given an informal orientation by
members of our staff. At that time key issues and responsibilities
are reviewed. In addition, throughout the year, Ascending
Lights staff will conduct mentor support and listening
meetings. In these gatherings mentoring problems will
be discussed and additional training will be provided.
How does the mentor benefit?
A mentor receives a sense of satisfaction that comes
from helping a younger person grow as a contributing
leader in the church community. Mentoring provides an
opportunity to develop a friendship with a young adult.
As the mentor helps the student work through challenging
situations, the mentor’s own leadership and problem
solving skills will increase. |
