DESCRIPTION: This course is an in-depth study of the informal training model called mentoring. Unlike mentoring models in the business world, this course aims to focus on character, spiritual, and leadership formation through meaningful relationships. Without circumventing the acquisition of skills, it also introduces three mentoring approaches: active, passive and occasional. These approaches suggest nine types of mentor functions: mentor discipler, spiritual guide, coach, counselor, teacher, sponsor, contemporary model, historical model, and divine contact. This course will examine the dynamics for mentoring relationships and the mentoring constellation. In addition, it will help students (1) with current models for mentoring strategies with the emerging generation and foster application in their current ministries; and (2) with self-reflective evaluations on the meaning of servant leadership.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: This course will equip the student leader to understand mentoring, to become a mentor (as a servant leader), and to develop skills for growing people into Christian leadership. Through the exploration of different types of mentoring, students will reflect upon their own understandings of the use of power in leadership and the challenges inherent within the formation of a new generation of ministry leaders.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: The students will (1) articulate a biblical, theological, and missiological understanding of mentoring as it applies to contemporary Hispanic society; (2) be challenged to recognize several leadership cultural challenges often found within a Hispanic background; (3) evaluate their personal needs for mentoring and develop a personal mentoring plan; (4) recognize and be able to use nine mentoring types in their ministry; (5) be more committed to the formation of emerging leaders in the context of Christian community; (6) gain skills in creating an environment that fosters Christian mentorship.

COURSE FORMAT: This intensive course will meet on Thursdays and Fridays April 7 and 8, May 5 and 6, June 2 and 3, from 8:30 a.m-12:00 and 1:30 p.m- 4:00 p.m. During these sessions we will cover the conceptual framework of mentoring. Class sessions will include worship time, professor's lecture, and small group dynamics. On June 3rd there will be class presentations of the students' mentoring plans.

REQUIRED READING: If already read, select other books from the recommended reading list or a book approved by instructor.

Clinton, J. Robert, and Clinton, Richard W. El Manual del Mentor--Guías y Ayudas para Mentores y Aprendices Cristianas. Altadena: Barnabas Publishers, 1991. [350 pp. Distributed by the professor, $25.]

Gibbs, Eddie. Liderar en una Cultura de Cambios. Buenos Aires, Argentina: Editorial Peniel [www.peniel.com], 2007. [260pp. ISBN: 9785571490, $10.]

Gunderson, Denny. La Paradoja del Liderazgo. Tyler, TX: Editorial JUCUM [www.editorialjucum.com], 2006. [143pp. ISBN: 1576583392, $9.]

Hankins, Frank. El toque de Bernabé: el mentor en América Latina. 1998. [Out of print. Distributed by the professor, $10.]

McIntosh, Gary, and Samuel Rima. Como sobreponerse al Lado Oscuro del Liderazgo. Lake Mary, FL: Casa Creación [www.casacreacion.com], 2005. [222pp. ISBN: 1591855217 $10.]

*Select one of the following books:

Hirsch, Alan. Caminos Olvidados. Breinigsville, PA: Missional Press [www.missional-press.com]. 2009. [310pp. ISBN: 9780979805387, $20.]

Kimball, Dan. La Iglesia Emergente. Gran Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2009. [330pp. ISBN: 9780829753851, $12.]

1. Students are required to be present and prepared to participate in classroom discussions (10%).

2. Three reading interaction papers on the required readings in the books indicated by an asterisk (*) above (30% of grade; due April 7, May 5, June 2).

3. A 500 word field research report based on ten hours of participant observation and interviews that analyzes (a) a local congregation's leaders' understanding of "mentoring" and (b) their need for mentoring (10% of grade; due May 27).

4. Integrating principles from readings, class sessions, and assignments two and three above, each student will give a 15 minute oral presentation that discusses his or her theology of mentoring and personal mentoring plan for being mentored and for mentoring others (20% of grade; due June 3).

5. A 2,000 word paper, integrating principles from readings and class sessions, that discusses the student's theology of mentoring and personal mentoring plan as they both apply to a specific human group (i.e. gender, age, ethnicity, and class background) in the student's local congregation or ministry situation (30% of grade; due June 10).