Dear Prospective Mentor:

This information is offered to you as an introduction to the Mentored Practice Program at Bangor Theological Seminary. Because sound mentor relationships are a critical component of our teaching program, we are grateful for your willingness to consider participating in this important educational ministry. Please take the time to read this material thoroughly before making any final commitment to a student.

I hope this material will answer any questions you might have regarding what is expected of supervising mentors. If not, please feel free to be in touch with me directly. If, after careful reflection, you are moved to say yes and become an active partner with the Seminary in the Mentored Practice Program, I would be pleased to meet with you to assist you and the student in developing plans based on the student’s goals and objectives. Additional support for your work, along with collegial networking and accountability, is offered in the mentor lunches which are held three times each semester.

The Seminary is also pleased to provide mentors with the opportunity to audit a course without cost (exclusive of an application fee) at the discretion of the respective faculty member. If you are interested in this possibility, please talk with the Registrar and indicate you are with the Mentoring Program.

Important aspects of the program

1. The Seminary does not encourage students to carry out their Mentored Practice requirements in a parish setting where they have previously attended regularly or have their membership. It is better for the student to find a neutral setting, so that they can be themselves and focus on pastoral identity issues unencumbered by their past history in this setting. It is also easier for the student’s pastor to continue to serve in that capacity without dancing around role confusions that would not be helpful to either party.
2. The Seminary hopes that all students who seek a parish site for their practical work will have an opportunity to participate in worship on a weekly basis in some capacity -- leading in prayers, reading scripture, preaching, etc. It also is helpful if the student can be introduced to the congregation in a formal way on a particular Sunday so that the congregation understands what you and the student will be doing, and how that will effect the student’s relationship to the individual members. Finding an appropriate way to signify the end of a student’s time with you is also important.
3. It is important that the student have an opportunity to meet with the appropriate church or community board such as the Church Council or Diaconate as a way to be introduced formally into the life and work of the church or community ministry site.
4. To assist your understanding of the work involved, we recommend reading Regina Coll, Supervision of Ministry Students (MN: The Liturgical Press, 1992). The book is available through the Bookstore and is on reserve in the Library.

Please understand that even though you have been asked to consider the possibility of serving as a Mentor, you may feel free to decline if you do not feel you can give this work the time and energy it will require, or if your sponsoring body will not support your commitment to this ministry. Each student needs and deserves your full support and cooperation. Again, my thanks for taking this initial step. I look forward to meeting you in the near future.

Sincerely,

Ron Baard