Conducting a Mentoring Session

  • Don Payne
  • May 24, 1999

We have received frequent questions from mentors concerning the appropriate content and structure for weekly mentoring sessions. There is no mandated, uniform agenda since each person and each team is unique. The most fruitful mentoring sessions will include a few basic elements, yet remain open to the unexpected. Normally,  mentoring sessions should include a balance of:

  • Relationship building
  • The student's concerns and questions
  • The mentor's agenda
  • Brief review of learning contract progress
  • Theological reflection on present ministry experiences
  • Prayer

Feel free to adapt the structure of the mentoring session to the needs, styles and gifts of the team members (including the student) and the ministry context.