The Impact of Mentoring Relationships on the Faith Development of Adult Youth Ministers

How does a community carry on the development of faith when traditional tools have become obsolete or are no longer available? The American Catholic community experienced a breakdown of the traditional tools by which the elements of belief were passed from generation to generation. Can mentoring offer an alternative approach to faith formation? Using a sample population of professional Catholic Youth Ministers, this study attempted to determine the following: 1) Did the presence of a mentoring relationship facilitate faith growth from adolescence into adulthood? 2) How did the faith growth of the ministers contribute to their decision to commit to professional church ministry? 3) Did the mentoring relationship facilitate the development of skills and attitudes needed to successfully address the needs of professional church ministry? Eleven adults, full-time employed in church ministry, were interviewed. Each participant took part in two individual interview sessions and a final focus group. The review of data showed 1) they felt the desire to make a difference with their lives; to do more than just what the average person would do, 2) The mentors created an empowering environment within which the mentees felt safe to explore avenues of growth, 3) thementors helped to identify potential within the mentees, equipped them with skills, provided them with opportunities, and supported them in the process of critical reflection, 4) the mentees felt called to do the same for others. I concluded that mentoring can serve as a model for sharing faith between generations and for fostering a sense of commitment in adulthood. The study demonstrated that in mentoring relationships, more than skills are often passed between mentor and protege. The core of the mentoring experience is the relationship of trust which develops between the mentor and mentee. Criteria for the selection, training, and supervision of mentors needs further explanation and study. This study contributes to literature on personal worldview construction and critical thinking. The information can be of use to those working in the recruitment, training, and supervision of church ministry personnel. It can also foster a more integrated approach to human development.

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Philosophy

Level thesis:degree_level

doctoral

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

EDU Teaching and Learning

Grantor dc:publisher

The Ohio State University

Year dc:date

1996

Author dc:creator

• Shelly, Roy J.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Boggs, David

• Adult Education
• Educational Sociology
• Religion

Statement dc:rights

• unrestricted
• This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: all rights reserved. It may not be copied or redistributed beyond the terms of applicable copyright laws.

Language dc:language

English

Repository record dc:identifier

http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1364225702

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:etd.ohiolink.edu:osu1364225702