Towards the Goal

As a young adults worker, I was recently asked my view on how to keep young adults in church.  My answer was two-fold: teach on relevant issues, and disciple them.  The second of these was addressed excellently at a recent EFAC women’s mentoring evening, when a group of us met at the home of Bishop Barbara Darling to learn from Lesley McGrath Woodley about the ministry of mentoring.

Speaking from her experience of overseeing the women’s mentoring program at Holy Trinity Adelaide, Lesley shared five aspects of what a Christian mentor’s role should include: encouraging growth in knowledge of God’s Word, awareness of God’s grace, and growth in prayerfulness, service and communication of faith to non-believers. The overall goal of mentoring?  Growth in maturity in Christ.  While it may have different forms, from her experience this intentional relationship, wherein lie trust, compatibility and like-mindedness, is the most effective mode of mentoring. 

For those who may have felt inept counsel, Lesley reassured us that God could use all of us as mentors.  Patience, prayerfulness, good listening and exampling God’s Word in our lives some of the requisite, Biblical skills for our mentoring role.

For me, the workshop was greatly empowering because it better equipped me to mentor others.  Plus it highlighted the long-term efficacy of an intentional discipleship program operating within a church.  I am totally convinced of the need to mentor younger believers and facilitate this through our programs.  Will you help the younger generations of our church to keep growing in likeness to Christ?  From the future missionaries I work to those serving in the pews, all need encouragement to keep toward this heavenly goal. 

‘So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing’
(1 Thess 5:11)

Anna Hore-Lacy is an authorized stipendiary lay minister in the Diocese of Melbourne.  She has done mission work in UK, France, Kenya and Australia and her work involved co-ordinating youth and young adult ministry for CMS Victoria.