Having access to seasoned mentors is a precious asset for any Pathways theology student. Mentoring involves a more experienced and mature Christian guiding and supporting a less experienced believer in their spiritual growth and development. The mentor provides spiritual guidance, prayer, and biblical counsel, as well as practical advice on navigating the challenges of life in light of Christian principles.
Qualities of Christian Mentors
These are examples of the types of qualities needed to be a mentor for a Pathways student:
Strong faith
They should have a deep and personal relationship with God and a strong understanding of Christian principles.
Compassion
They should have a genuine concern for the well-being of their mentees and be willing to listen to and support them.
Wisdom
They should have a good understanding of life and the challenges that their mentees may face, as well as the ability to offer guidance and advice.
Patience
They should be patient and understanding, recognising that growth and transformation take time.
Knowledge
They should have a good understanding of the Bible and the teachings of Christ.
Experience: Ideally, they should have experience in mentoring or teaching, as well as life experience that can help them relate to and guide their mentees.
Humility
They should be humble and recognise that they are not perfect, but instead continually seek to learn and grow in their own faith.
Trustworthiness
They should be trustworthy and keep confidential information private, maintaining healthy boundaries with their mentees.
– by Vivette Bradley
