Mentoring
/I attended the Women’s Journey of Faith Fall Conference this weekend, and did so last minute. If you know me and you know my heart, you might wonder: “Why?”
Even though one of the hats I wear is “Founder”, some think that I’m still engaged in many aspects of the ministry I helped to birth 25 years ago. That’s just not the case. No, as I resigned from that organization in 2015, it has been an abrupt yet slow release into the hands of other capable women who will carry the torch or seek to strengthen/ reshape the vision and mission. It’s been hard, but it’s been good. Resigning from my many hats with WJOF was and is a part of my restoration journey. Currently, my only link to WJOF is simply prayer and offering faith stories workshops. A definite passion of mine no doubt.
Where am I at? To back up as to the Why the last minute decision to attend the conference…
Well, I haven’t blogged in a while, as I’ve faced some hard things. In August, I learned of my dad’s health crises of facing a possible diagnosis of liver cancer. Tim agreed I needed to go down to the States and be with my parents, so I took the next possible flight to Fargo, North Dakota. I aimed to stay and support both Mom and Dad somehow as he was in the hospital, receiving umpteen tests all leading to the inevitable diagnosis, an inoperable and serious form of liver cancer. Through much tears and prayers of hope filled lament, I am trusting God with the outcome. God is the Great Physician) PLUS, he is receiving medical care which includes immunotherapy. More on that later. Prayers are appreciated for my parents and our whole tribe as we go through this as a family.
Life Goes On
So with three weeks there, then home for a bit, then off to BC to visit two of our daughters out there on Vancouver Island, home for a few days and boom- my mother-in-law Julie flies in for 5 days, whew. No wonder I couldn’t “plan” to go to the WJOF conference. My plate was full. But I went last night. As in many conferences since 2015, I’d sometimes walk in and feel the warm fuzzies or sad triggers at other moments. For the most part, I have incredible joy when I think of how WJOF started in 1999. The lessons I learned with all the highs and lows of launching and leading a non-profit, charity that was intended to empower women with the love of Jesus Christ through testimony, teaching, conferences etc. I have wrestled through much since my resignation, and as I shared with friend last night, there is such a thing as a “necessary endings”. Where would I be without my faith in God or those faithful men and women who have spoke into my life with wisdom, discernment and godly counsel. This includes mom and dad and all those who have formally and informally mentored me, loved me I seek to surround myself with those who I know and trust who can do just that, and likewise, I seek to impart faith, hope and love to others who have ears to hear.
Mentoring Moment at WJOF
Grateful a sister in Christ reached out yesterday and asked if I was going, and a half hour before the event started, I said yes. I texted Emily back asking if I could sit by her and she greeted me at the door and introduced me to her group. One of the women said, “I hear you were her mentor for a time, how long have you been a mentor”? She said with genuine love and sweet curiosity in her eyes. I replied, “Yes, we were matched as mentor-mentee one season through the Sisterhood Ministry (here in YXE), a few years back and it was a deeply enriching experience for us both.” I shared that mentorship has been present and important throughout my life on the receiving on, but putting my focused/ more intentional mentor hat on? I have taken it more seriously this past decade.
To witness one of my former mentees thriving in her relationships, stepping out in faith in leadership and embarking on a faith adventure that is in line with her unique calling. I recognize the hand of God on her life and I consider it such an honour to have played one small part in fanning the flame in her heart to press into God’s plan for her life.
Mentoring Matters
I believe that mentoring relationships between the generations are a unique expression of God’s love, guidance, and provision. I also recognize that these relationships don’t always “just happen ” on their own.
When I reflect on my journey of faith, I have had the joy of being mentored by so many women (and men too!) This has happened in family, through friends, in my home church and in the wider faith community here in Saskatoon. This has also happened online through incredible mentors, coaches or consultants. Some of these relationships just happened as a natural way of doing life. Some were direct answers to prayer when I cried out to God for a need and He answered those prayers through guidance provided through His people. And sometimes, I have intentionally reached out to be mentored for a season on a topic or for a deed and much of that interaction has been online! One of the many good uses of technology, praise God.
Mentorship has been a topic of great interest for over 25 years since having others pour into my life as I too have poured into others. Mentoring matters big time. I thought to blog about that today as a way to honour our high call to love others well. When we do so, we grow as we help the growth of others.
Why Mentor?
It’s Biblical (Titus 2:4-5, 1 Peter 5:2-32, 1 Corinthians 4:9-10, Ecclesiastes 3:11, Proverbs 27:17, Romans 15:14, Hebrews 10:24-25, Philippians 4:9, Proverbs 15:22, 20:18. 9:9. 13:20, Philippians 3:17, 2 Timothy 3:14
We love God and others by serving and receiving from one another.
We were created in family, for family. As a child of God, we have been given the gift of the family of faith in the body of Christ to function as one. (John 17, 1 Corinthians 12:12-27).
Our story, our Journey to Restoration is meant to be about a healthy relationship with God, (ourselves) and others. I had a dear mentor share with me that she seeks to have a healthy balance of relationships in her life where she is always engaging in pouring into others, and also being open to having others speak into her life. Call it mentorship or simply relational discipleship. My home group Tim and I meet with bimonthly is going to dive into a study this year by John Mark Comer on the theme of “Apprenticeship”- meaning, as we follow Jesus, we become an apprentice to Him. So when choosing a mentor, my hope and aim is to find someone who I sense is a good apprentice of Jesus. Sure, If I want to find mentorship in a skill that doesn’t involve kindred worldviews and spirituality, I can receive from others and be blessed no doubt by their company. What I am saying here is that those who have made the most impact on my spiritual journey have had a deeply intimate life walking with Jesus.
“Our Story, Our “Journey to Restoration” is meant to be about a healthy relationship with God, (ourselves) and others. ”
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” “Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.” - Matthew 22 37-40
If you’d like to learn more about mentorship, don’t hesitate to reach out! Click here
Resources:
The following resources are ones I recommend if you are considering seeking out a mentor or becoming a mentor (informally or formally):
Rooted Mentorship for Women (and Anchored for Men!) by Sisterhood Ministries. I appreciate their “coach approach” to mentoring and the training they provide/They also have mentorship pods to join in person or online and mentoring for leaders to birth a mentorship ministry for local faith communities to personalize.
Grove Women Mentorship is an example of this as I have the joy of launching Grove Women Mentorship at my local church along with a fabulous team. This is an exciting opportunity to engage intentionally in the growth of our women in such a beautifully reciprocal way.
Click here if you’d like to watch a 9 minute chat with Erica and Jodi!
