Training Opportunities

in the

Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts

Mentor Formation Training

I. PURPOSE

Mentor Formation is designed for the experienced, active EfM mentor who would like to work more intensively on one particular aspect of his or her formation as an EfM mentor.

II. WHO MAY ATTEND

Any active EfM mentor who has been trained no less than two times at Mentor Training and who has been recommended at one of those trainings to attend a Mentor Formation for the next cycle of accreditation by a mentor trainer.

III. WHAT MAY BE OFFERED FOR MENTOR FORMATION

SPIRITUALITY: To experience and explore our own spirituality and draw implications for mentoring by having a time of refreshment and renewal. This is achieved through deepening our relationship with God and exploring resources for our spirituality. (1 trainer, 6-18 participants)

ADVANCED THEOLOGICAL REFLECTION: To work with other mentors to integrate more deeply the function of theological reflection in the ongoing life of a seminar group. To explore the implications of the four-source model of learning, experiment with different methods of theological reflection, and find ways to "take home" the learnings to particular seminar situations. (1 trainer, 6-14 participants)

GROUP SKILLS AND HUMAN INTERACTION: To refine our group skills through building community. To understand group dynamics as they relate to EfM groups. To become aware of group leadership skills and, styles of human interaction, and gain confidence in using theories and learnings in our own situations. (2 trainers, 10-14 participants)

LIVING WITH CONFLICT: To enhance the mentor’s ability to be a point of God’s loving presence in the midst of conflict. This will be done by increasing the ways we can respond to strong differences between people and by creating a community of support in which we can examine conflict situations in our lives. (2 trainers, 10-14 participants)

MYERS–BRIGGS: To explore and recognize, through use of the Myers–Briggs (MBTI) categories and inventory, the varied talents and perspectives of different personality types and their relationship to group life and spiritual growth. Please note that this formation event does not certify the mentor to be able to administer the MBTI instrument. (1 trainer, 6-12 participants)

EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING: To increase the mentor’s ability to help seminar groups learn from their own experience and thereby take responsibility for their life together. This is achieved by learning basic theories of experiential education which will be tested and developed during our work together. (1 trainer, 6-10 participants)

EQUIPPING FOR MINISTRY: To understand lay ministry as part of the total mission and ministry of the church. To develop skills for equipping seminar members to exercise their ministries as the baptized people of God. (1 trainer, 6-14 participants)

DESIGN SKILLS: To learn to design seminar sessions which meet a specific need in the mentor’s particular seminar group, including guidelines for planning, administering, and evaluating designs. (1 trainer, 9-15 participants, or 2 trainers, 16-24 participants)

POWER AND AUTHORITY: To equip mentors to identify and explore the dynamics of power and authority in the life of the group. To identify and explore their own sense and sources of power and authority as mentors. To identify and explore "The Source" of all power and authority for themselves and the EfM group. To assist seminar members in identifying and exploring issues of power and authority in their ministries in the world. (1 trainer, 6-14 participants)

WORSHIP: To explore the interweaving of personal devotion and corporate liturgy in worship in order to equip mentors to develop their seminar groups as worshipping communities. As a result of this formation event you may expect to: distinguish/articulate the relationship between personal devotion and corporate liturgy; acquire the "know-how" to design worship with seminar groups; use more fully the resources available through EfM materials (i.e. TR, CLSM and texts) for study and worship. (1 trainer, 6-10 participants)

TRANSITION IN THE MIDST OF A CHANGING WORLD: In order to live creatively in the midst of our changing and diverse world, we will utilize the core EfM resources to equip mentors to identify, explore, plan and implement actions as we move through transitions to new life in the midst of change. Training Objectives: to provide opportunities for mentors to build awareness of change and transition in their lives; to use core EfM resources of theological reflection, stories and worship as the foundation of engaging change; introduce transition theory. (1 trainer, 6-10 participants)

IV. THE SETTING

Mentor Formation often takes place in a regional setting bringing together long-time mentors from neighboring dioceses. The diocesan EfM coordinator—in consultation with the EfM Program Director—decides what topics will be offered at Mentor Formation. If more than one event is held, meals and social times may be with the larger group.

V. DURATION OF TRAINING

Mentor Formation requires the same contact time as Mentor Training (18 hours). These events normally occur over a three-day (two-night) period. Full attendance is mandatory.                                     Return to Top

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