🧓 Mentoring Guidelines

For RLCC Mentors in the REACH, CORE, and LEAD Systems

🎯 Purpose of Mentoring

Mentoring is a spiritual commitment to walk closely with another person—helping them grow in Christlike character, deepen their commitment to God and others, develop healthy chemistry with people in ministry, and discern their calling. Mentors are not just guides—they are spiritual companions who help others become who God has called them to be.

🔄 How Mentoring Is Different from Coaching

Coaching focuses on helping people complete tasks, develop ministry skills, and fulfill specific roles. It is often short-term and role-specific.

Mentoring, however, focuses on the whole person—their spiritual formation, relationships, emotional health, and readiness for deeper ministry. It is more relational, long-term, and focused on helping a person mature, not just succeed.

🧩 Key Responsibilities of a Mentor

Build Trust
Create a safe, judgment-free space for honest sharing and reflection.

Guide Spiritual Reflection
Help your mentee recognize patterns in their thinking, decisions, relationships, and spiritual growth.

Speak Truth in Love
Offer biblical insight, challenge blind spots, and encourage growth through grace-filled feedback.

Pray Consistently
Pray for your mentee regularly. Pray with them when you meet. Listen for what the Spirit may be saying together.

Discern Readiness
Help the mentee assess their capacity for greater responsibility or leadership. Look at faithfulness, fruitfulness, emotional maturity, and relational integrity.

🧭 The MENTOR Flow

Use this guide as a simple rhythm for mentoring:

M – Meet regularly
Agree on a regular rhythm (e.g., twice a month or monthly check-ins).

E – Encourage with Scripture and prayer
Always point back to God’s Word and invite the Holy Spirit’s presence.

N – Notice spiritual patterns and growth areas
Be attentive to what God is doing in their life over time.

T – Talk honestly about character, conflict, and choices
Don’t avoid the hard conversations. Speak the truth in love.

O – Observe their relationships and ministry posture
Watch how they interact with others, handle stress, or respond to correction.

R – Recommend next steps with wisdom and care
Help them take steps forward that match their season of life and grace capacity.

📋 Suggested Mentoring Topics

Growing in emotional and spiritual maturity
Handling correction, conflict, or criticism
Maintaining spiritual disciplines
Building trust and chemistry within a team
Discernment in life transitions
Time and energy management
Dealing with disappointment, weariness, or doubt
Living out grace under pressure
Clarifying one’s calling or direction in ministry

🙏 Sample Reflection Questions

Use these questions to guide deeper conversations:

How is your soul? Are you growing closer to God lately?
What is God teaching you in this season?
Where do you feel most stretched right now?
Are there any character areas you feel God is refining?
How are your relationships with your team or group?
Where do you sense clarity—or confusion—about your calling?
Is there anything you’re afraid to say but need to talk about?

🛡️ Mentoring Boundaries

Keep conversations confidential unless there’s a safety or moral concern.
Offer guidance and prayer, but do not act as a counselor—refer when needed.
Do not force the pace of growth—let God lead the process.
Stay accountable by checking in with a Senior Mentor, Coordinator, or Pastor.

🚦 When to Recommend a Next Step

As a mentor, you may help your mentee determine their next step in their spiritual or ministry journey. Here are four possible paths:

Pause – Step back from serving to rest, heal, or refocus.
Deepen – Invest more intentionally in spiritual disciplines and soul care.
Stretch – Take on new responsibilities that align with their calling.
Multiply – Begin mentoring or investing in others as they grow.

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