Bethel Seminary of the East’s mentoring program has its roots in the past, when followers of Jesus Christ sought a discipling relationship with godly leaders of their own generation. Our roots extend to persons such as Charles Spurgeon and his “pastors’ college” in the 19th century, to Jonathan Edwards and David Brainerd in the 18th century, to the Puritans of the 17th century, and to those who gathered around Augustine in the early history of the church in the fourth century. They go back, in fact, to the days when young Timothy was discipled by the Apostle Paul, and the 12 disciples were trained by Jesus Christ. Bethel Seminary of the East aspires to continue the practice of viable mentoring and discipleship to enhance our program of theological education and ministry preparation.

Bethel Seminary of the East’s integral link with local ministry is seen most clearly in its mentoring program. Students come to Bethel Seminary of the East with their local ministry’s affirmation of their fitness and call to ministry, as well as a commitment by their churches to provide a nurturing base in which they can develop attitudes and skills conducive to effective ministry and spiritual growth.

Following the orientation and guided learning experience workshop (at the beginning of each term), students will be assisted with the selection of mentors. The center director assists students in the selection of two mentors who form a mentoring team, along with seminary faculty, for the supervision and oversight of guided learning experiences.

Mentors maintain an ongoing involvement in students’ seminary experiences in two ways. Mentors are required to attend the first day of class each term for the “Community Day of Learning.” There, they participate in classes with their students to see how the guided learning experience complements the course to which it is attached. Mentors are also required to attend workshops designed to enhance their mentoring skills and capabilities. Weekly sessions between mentors and students focus on attitudes, information, skills, and other topics that might enhance students’ spiritual and character formation, ministry skills development, and preparation for ministry.

Each term, mentors complete general progress reports to assess student growth and overall performance.

The course professor and the mentoring team enable the student, through mutually approved guided learning experiences, to develop Christian character, to expand in practical knowledge, and to improve in ministry skills. Activities for the guided learning experiences are determined on the basis of the perception students have of their own needs, as clarified through counsel with the course professor and their mentoring teams. Guided learning experiences help students:

• develop patterns for change and growth in the areas of spiritual and character formation;
• acquire competencies to be ready for ministry;
• assess current learning and skill needs;
• apply the course material to a specific ministry context; and
• gain graduate academic credit for work they do in ministry.

Further information on the mentoring program can be found in The Mentoring Community: A Manual for Students and Mentors produced by Bethel Seminary of the East.