Mentorship
“Let me proclaim your power to this new generation, your mighty miracles to all who come after me.”
Psalm 71:18b (NLT)
Psalm 71:18b (NLT)
At Elgin Vineyard, we see mentorship as a biblical model of discipleship where faith is passed down through intentional, relational connections. Just as Jesus invested in a few, sharing life with them and teaching them, we believe mentorship is about walking alongside others in faith, encouraging each other, and sharing our stories. This process strengthens our connection with Jesus and helps foster multigenerational faith, where we can all grow together, reflecting God’s heart for community and spiritual maturity.
What is Mentorship?
A mentor empowers and encourages someone to grow in life and faith by sharing their experiences and the wisdom God has given them. Mentorship is:
The four pillars of mentoring1
1. Love: Build a foundation of genuine care and Christlike compassion for your mentee.
2. Listen: Create space to hear and understand your mentee’s heart and experiences without judgment.
3. Encourage: Speak life, truth, and hope into their journey to help them grow in confidence and faith.
4. Pray: Commit to lifting your mentee before God, asking for His wisdom, guidance, and blessing in their life.
1 The four pillars of mentoring are from Nancy Lindgren in her book Mentoring Made Real: The Power of Authentic Connection.
- Relational: Connecting heart-to-heart.
- Practical: Sharing what you’ve learned on your walk with God.
- Empowering: Pointing your mentee to Jesus, not being the solution yourself.
The four pillars of mentoring1
1. Love: Build a foundation of genuine care and Christlike compassion for your mentee.
2. Listen: Create space to hear and understand your mentee’s heart and experiences without judgment.
3. Encourage: Speak life, truth, and hope into their journey to help them grow in confidence and faith.
4. Pray: Commit to lifting your mentee before God, asking for His wisdom, guidance, and blessing in their life.
1 The four pillars of mentoring are from Nancy Lindgren in her book Mentoring Made Real: The Power of Authentic Connection.
For Potential Mentors
Do you have the heart, habits, and humility to invest in someone else’s journey with God?
- Are you grounded in the grace and truth of God, with a daily commitment to prayer and reading His Word?
- Do you have a deep desire to see others grow, change, and connect with God?
- Do you approach mentoring with a humble heart, willing to listen well and engage authentically with a mentee?
- Are you committed to setting aside regular time each week or biweekly to meet with a mentee and pray for them throughout the week?
For Potential Mentees
Are you seeking a mentor who can guide, challenge, and support you in your spiritual journey, offering wisdom and encouragement as you grow in your relationship with God?
- Are you committed to taking the first step in initiating a mentoring relationship?
- Do you have a teachable spirit, ready to listen, learn, and grow?
- Are you dedicated to respecting your mentor’s boundaries while engaging authentically and openly?
- Are you committed to being consistent in your meetings, showing up prepared, and actively participating in the process of growth?
- Are you willing to invest time outside of meetings in prayer, reflection, and applying what you learn?
Next Steps
How do I find a mentor or mentee?
- Pray about it: Ask God to show you who to approach. Stay open-minded and bold—it often takes persistence!
- Need help connecting? Fill out the form (Get Connected button) below, and we’ll prayerfully assist in pairing you with someone who also has expressed interest in mentorship.
- Let us know: Whether you’re reaching out to someone directly or need assistance, please fill out the form (Get Connected button) so our Connect Team can encourage and equip you in your mentoring journey.
Resources for Mentors
Open-and-go mentoring guides to help mentors/mentees get to know each other and dive deeper in prayer together. They have guides for women, men, new believers, teens, and children.
By Nancy Lindgren. A simple and encouraging introduction to mentoring that highlights the power and simplicity of mentoring. Nancy dispels some of the concerns and fears of feeling unqualified or unworthy to be in a mentoring relationship and shows how simple it is to establish a meaningful, impactful relationship with your mentee through conversation and prayer.
By John Mallison. This comprehensive guide equips mentors to disciple and develop leaders effectively. It offers practical tools, biblical principles, and real-world examples to help mentors foster spiritual growth, leadership skills, and a deeper relationship with God in their mentees.