Mentoring Guidelines

Lay School of Ministry (LSM)

South-Central Synod of Wisconsin, ELCA

 

     The Lay School of Ministry seeks to prepare theologically trained lay persons for ministry in the church and world.   Individuals may participate in the Lay School of Ministry with various ministry outcomes as their goal (see the attached chart regarding the LSM tracks):

1)         personal enrichment for ministry in daily life;

2)         serve as a “congregationally recognized partner in ministry”

    (approved by the Synod Council);

3)         become an Associate in Ministry; 

4/5)      as preparation for enrollment in a theological seminary to become a

Diaconal Minister or Pastor.

 

     If the LSM participant is currently functioning as a public lay minister in his/her home congregation or intends in the future to serve as a public minister of the church, it is important for that person to have a mentor during the two years of Lay School.   Preferably the LSM participant’s pastor or a rostered lay minister (Associate in Ministry or Diaconal Minister) would serve as mentor.

 

     If the LSM participant seeks to become a “congregationally recognized partner in ministry” (CRPM), then that person should have a designated area of ministry and some commitment from his/her congregation that the congregation would offer work in that public ministry (volunteer or paid) upon completion of the requirements.  In this case, the mentor (together with the LSM Director) might also help to supervise the person’s field experience of 200 hours.

 

     The role of the mentor includes the following:

  1. Meet with the LSM participant on a regular basis (at least once a month) to discuss her/his learning in Lay School and progress in vocational discernment.   Help the student integrate her/his developing theology with the practice of ministry.  Feel free to share prayer and scriptural reading as appropriate.
  2. At the time it seems appropriate, enable the LSM participant to become involved in areas of congregational ministry which are of relevance and/or interest to him/her (if such involvement is not already occurring).
  3. Invite the LSM participant to work with someone who is already skilled in a given type of ministry or provide the kind of training and guidance that the person may need to get started and continue in that ministry.
  4. During the first year of mentoring, primarily support and coach the person being mentored in his/her biblical and theological studies at Lay School and vocational discernment.  Then during the second year of mentoring, concentrate more time and discussion on the person’s practice of ministry and her/his integrating theological learning with that ministry.
  5. Complete independently a 1st year report about the person being mentored and then discuss it with him/her (the LSM participant will also independently complete a 1st year report).  Then submit a copy of your report to the Director of the Lay School of Ministry (by December 1).  Also communicate to the Director any suggestions regarding how the Lay School might improve its work with the person.
  6. Follow a similar procedure during the second mentoring year, completing and discussing the 2nd year report before submitting a copy to the LSM Director by December 1.   

 

At the appropriate time, the Director will distribute 1st and 2nd year report forms to the LSM participants (who in turn will give copies to their mentor).  You can request electronic copies by emailing Jim Bailey at jimjudybailey@mwci.net.

     In the total process, both the needs of the congregation and the student should be kept in mind.  It is important that the mentor do his/her mentoring in a way that is comfortable and appropriate to the relationship.  If the pastoral dimension is most significant, then the evaluative aspect would be less pronounced, though not totally absent.  Open communication between the mentors and the LSM faculty/director enhances the learning process for the student.  Thanks for your partnership in this endeavor to raise up competent lay leaders for congregations.  Direct comments and questions to Dr. Jim Bailey, LSM Director (1710 Churchill Dr., Dubuque, IA 52001, ph. 563-557-1793 or email jimjudybailey@mwci.net).               

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revised March 18, 2005 by J.L. Bailey