The third section of pages on the Faith Formation area of the CT Conference UCC website is entitled,
Mentoring- Developing Leaders.
What?:
This initiative of the CT Conference provides guidance and trained mentors who are ready, willing and more than capable to step into the role of accompanying a faith formation leader.
It is a reasonable fee for service arrangement with guidance
from Karen Ziel, Minister of Faith Formation and Leadership.
Most often, a mentor will work with a mentee through a season of their work in order to guide, support, assist and encourage a leader who would like to test skills for the work of making disciples in a local church setting.
Who?:
Practically, bi-vocational leaders with part-time hours in a local church whose role may be in children's ministry. OR a new faith formation leader with a more substantial part-time role seeking support and guidance for managing an active program year. OR a full time leader with an expanding or changing role who may want to deepen capacities for moving into a transition time or assuming leadership for adult formation for example.
How?:
The process begins with a simple recognition on the part of the practitioner that they would benefit from some additional development for the work they are called to in the local church.
This may coincide with course work or other development work or may be the sole development work the practitioner is currently engaging in
. Discernment conversations with supervisor and other caring leaders invested in the practitioner's success can help determ
ine if this is the right time for this approach.
If the answer is yes, the potential mentee and or the mentee's supervisor should reach out to Karen Ziel at the CT Conference offices.
