Mentoring

I got a call out of the blue recently, asking if I would act as a Mentor for a woman who is a candidate for the ministry.   Actually,  I have been out of that loop for quite a while.  I was surprised to be asked.   I have to jog my memory to remember what I once knew,  and use my brains cells to learn a totally new process.  Everything has changed since those days when I served on the Board of Ordained Ministry.   What was once four separate Conferences have merged into one larger one.  New process, new people, new rules.

What used to be done with an actual paper manual, is now all done all on-line.  So I am trying to navigate the web and follow sometimes confusing messages.   But I think I will probably figure it out.

I have now met with my mentee,  "Cathy".  It will be fun and interesting walking with her through the process.  She reminds me of what it was like for me at the beginning.  The excitement, the thrill,  the humility,  the insecurities, the surprise,  the uncertainties, etc.   All that and more.   She is planning to be a Local Pastor, and not go the seminary route.  [being a Local Pastor requires completing the Course of Study ].

 For a married woman,  there are always multiple challenges to consider---the itineracy, the cost, the demands.  My husband was a tenured professor, not really portable;  I had a small child and multiple teenagers. We owned a home.  At that time, I was not inclined toward the itineracy* ,  since I lived it as a preacher's daughter.    [*itineracy means you go where you are sent]

But in the end, it was not about what I wanted,  but what God had in mind.  Life circumstances changed;  illness happened,  children grew,  seminary was a slow process while serving as a student pastor, paid for a little at a time.   It all unfolded in ways I would never ever have imagined.  

And to be perfectly honest,  I guess it still is!   I would not want it any other way!