The Greek storyteller Homer tells of Odysseus, the King of Ithaca. In this tale, Odysseus asked his friend Mentor to watch over his son Telemachus while he fought in the Trojan War. Mentor was a faithful friend of Odysseus who stayed in Ithaca and served as Telemachus’ tutor. The story says that Mentor was wise, sober, and loyal. On the other hand, Telemachus was just entering manhood.
This classic tale shows that mentoring is one of the oldest forms of influence. Mentoring as a tool can be a powerful and popular way for people to achieve personal, professional skills and to explore and articulate their goals and vision.
A mentor is a guide, a listener, someone who cares, someone who has been there, someone to help you to set your goal or strategize to accomplish them, A mentor is not a savior, is not a therapist, is not a foster parent.
There are many perspectives on the definition of mentoring, especially since the concept of coaching has become so popular in the corporate world and even within the structure of some communities of faith. Traditionally, mentoring refers to a person who conducts activities (training, discussions etc) for another person in order to help that person to do a job more effectively or to progress in a career or area of expertise. A mentor is someone who usually “had been there, done that” .
Today there is ongoing discussion at different levels about the definitions of mentors and the difference between coaching and mentoring. Despite of all discussions that take place in the corporate or ecclesiastical world, reality is that we were created to live in community, to learn from one another, to care and take care of one another. Mentors of today were mentee of yesterday, mentee of today will be mentors of tomorrow.
In my experience, the role of a mentor is priceless. In my personal life and discernment process, it has been very helpful to me to connect with other ’s people wisdom . I am so blessed to have friends and clergy who cares and listen. Their mentonrship and support has made a difference in my life and ministry and it has encouraged me to make a difference in other people ’s life.
In a church context, mentors are not limited to those who guide and counsel people to help them discern wether or not they are called to ordained ministry, but also in many other areas of their lives , as people of faith who belongs to a larger family.
Mentors can help you to explore and discern how your gifts and talents fits a particular ministry , can help you to seek a deeper relationship with God, and can also help you to deal with your concerns, doubts and fears. Mentors are not meant to tell you what to do, but to be there for you, listening, caring and asking the right questions, for which you are encouraged to seek answers. Other’s people wisdom and experience help us to see things from a different perspective.
It is a healthy practice to select someone or various individuals who we can trust and share our thoughts, doubts, concerns, joy, goals and expectations. One is never too old for choosing a mentor.
If you don’t have a mentor to walk with you in your spiritual journey, I strongly encourage you to do so. The most important consideration when choosing a mentor is to look for someone you can respect, a person who live in harmony with their words and actions, someone who you could disscuss sensitive issues and trust that they will handle it with confidentiality, someone who knows how to listen and is not afraid to challenge you and who will inspire you to reach your full potential.
I am sure you have people around who fits the description above. Look out for them! . If you are willing to start a mentoring relationship using the tools that modern theconology has to offer ( the web) I encourage you to look online and connect with PLSE Mentors. PLSE Mentors are young adults and adults leaders of the Church who have experience working with young people, or who have experienced life and leadership in a variety of aspects. They are willing and open to listen, share their experiences, help you to explore your calling and purpose in life and most of all they care!
PLSE Mentors can be reach via email only by clicking their name. You may click www.episcopalchurch.org/plse
And remember, sometimes you can not figure it our on your own!
