The Blessings of Mentoring
Mary Ann Spiker and Kathy Upton
First Presbyterian Church, Colorado Springs
So many young women today do not live near extended family and miss out on the help of mothers and grandmothers in learning how to be a wife and mother. They have a need for an older woman who has Ïbeen thereÓ and Ïdone thatÓ to come along side them to build a relationship that offers support and encouragement.
In Titus 2:4Ò5, older Christian women are encouraged to train (or mentor) younger women in the faith. An ÏolderÓ woman is one who is walking ahead of a ÏyoungerÓ woman; this may be in ÏolderÓ in age, life experience or both. These ÏolderÓ women may be just a few steps or many miles ahead. For many years the Titus 2 mandate has been followed in several WomenÌs Ministry programs at First Presbyterian Church of Colorado Springs.
MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) is an international organization specifically designed to minister to young mothers. At present we have three separate MOPS groups at First Pres. Two groups with about 80 women each, meet once a week from September through April. A pilot program for about 40 working mothers is held once a month during the evening.
Each MOPS group has a mentor mom who meets with the Ministry Team for their twice-a-month planning meeting. She leads the team in a Bible study and nurtures the women on the team. She also attends the weekly MOPS meeting. In addition, there are 20 mentors who are assigned to the small groups that meet weekly within MOPS. They build relationships with that small group by being available to chat at meetings and by phoning them during the week. The mentors do not facilitate the small groups (this is done by ministry team members), but they often sit in on the small-group discussion as a resource and support.
MOPS is a wonderful outreach as approximately 50% of the women who attend are unchurched or unfamiliar with the Christian faith. During the MOPS year, teaching and discussion begins with lighter topics and builds toward deeper issues as trust grows within the groups.
Using mentor moms in these groups is actually a double blessing. The young moms are blessed to have older women in their lives that care about them and can share from their own experience. Some of the mentor moms do not have their own grown children near and find it a real blessing to be part of these young womenÌs lives. It is also a special time to hold and snuggle the tiny babies ÷ giving the moms a chance to be part of their small groups.
Twice during the year we offer a day in MOPS called ÏMom to Mom Chats.Ó Each mentor mom picks a topic that relates to her own life. She then shares in a small group what she has learned in dealing with this issue with any women interested in that particular topic. The moms can also ask her any questions they might have on that subject. Some really tough issues are discussed in these small groups; the wide range of topics covered has included: Creative Play, Raising Strong-willed Children, Depression, Keeping Romance Alive in Your Marriage, Communication and Conflict Resolution, Anger, Budgeting, Infertility and Adoption. As the mentor moms get to know these young women they are able to reach out to moms in crisis to offer support and encouragement.
Once a week during the month of May we offer a Bible study for ÏseekersÓ and beginning Christians who want to grow in their faith. We call this MOPS Plus. It provides a setting to present the gospel, the plan of salvation and to ask the really hard questions about becoming a Christian. This is done in a small group setting. Each small group is facilitated by a mentor mom who is ready to help them find answers to their questions.
During the spring all the moms of young children in our church are invited to a special retreat, MomÌs Weekend Away. This weekend offers an additional opportunity for mentor moms to interact with younger moms in a relaxed atmosphere focused to bring these women along in their faith. This year 60 women attended our two-day Ïpajama party.Ó Four of the mentors shared from their own lives and from the lives of such biblical women as Sarah, the woman caught in adultery, Hannah, and Ruth. The mentor moms talked about ÏIdentity and Self Worth,Ó ÏGrace and Forgiveness,Ó ÏFaith and Trust,Ó and ÏHope.Ó After each talk mentor moms met with groups of 3 or 4 women for discussion related to the topic. This was a wonderful time of sharing and growth for all women involved.
We have found it to be a wonderful rewarding experience to be mentor moms, and it has certainly helped us in our own spiritual growth. We are so thankful for a church and a WomenÌs Department that sees the importance of this ministry.
Tapestry
First Presbyterian Church Houston, Texas
The Tapestry Bible study at First Presbyterian Church of Houston began eight years ago out of a growing need for young mothers to be nurtured in their faith while becoming equipped as new moms. For many women, Tapestry was an entry point into the life of the church, a place where they found fellowship and encouragement. For others it was the place where they first encountered the love of Jesus through the teaching and testimonies of the women around them. Through Tapestry, women have been nourished in their walks with Christ and have gone on to become leaders and elders in the church. It truly has been a God-graced program.
From the beginning, a key part of the growing and learning in this group of mothers has come from Mentor Moms. Each year at least two Mentor Moms become an integral part of this ministry. Their roles are not formal, that is, there arenÌt any written job descriptions or expectations. They are asked simply to come and be a part of the fellowship. They often take part in the teaching as well.
A few years ago both Sue White and Susan OÌNeil became Mentor Moms for a wonderful group of young mothers in Tapestry. Every week they give time and love to these moms as they minister in numerous ways Û teaching, babysitting and being available for counseling.
Their devotion to the younger women in the church has been a blessing to the entire Body. The younger moms have come to see these mentors as dear friends who walk alongside and encourage them every week. Sometimes a phone call makes all the difference, or a prayer in the middle of a difficult day, or motherly advice about a newborn or toddler. Sometimes a mentor simply babysits for a young mom who needs a break and has no family in town. ÏTheir ministry to us is so special,Ó says one Tapestry attendee. ÏThey love us and are just there for us. They show us Jesus every week in that class.Ó
If you ask Sue and Susan what it has meant to serve in this capacity, they concur that they have received a blessing by being part of this group. ÏIt has been a joy,Ó they say, Ïto see God at work in the lives of the moms in the study.Ó Their own lives have been changed by giving time, care and love, and they consider the Tapestry ministry a gift in their own walks with Christ.
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