Mimetic effect in mentoring Baptist ministers

This study seeks to explain mimetic effect in mentoring: how mentor values, attitudes and behaviour are reproduced in mentees in the context of Baptist ministers. In a challenging environment for UK churches, mentoring is regarded as one way of enabling ministers to develop appropriate qualities. There is a gap, however, in the existing literature of ministerial formation and mentoring studies concerning how desirable qualities in a mentor are reproduced in a mentee. This case study of mentoring among ministers in a network of Baptist churches explores how mentor qualities are reproduced in a mentee. A review of the literature relating to modelling and mimetic effect was carried out across mentoring, ministerial formation within practical theology, and social learning aspects in leadership and exemplarity studies. A mixed methods case study has been used within a critical realist paradigm to identify and build explanation of mimetic effect. The implications of being an insider-researcher with shared faith and calling are discussed. The case-study comprised a quantitative survey to identify mimetic effect and to enable selection of five mentees and their mentors for qualitative semi-structured interviews. There were thirteen interviews including three with independent mentor-practitioners. Quantitative data was analysed using descriptive statistical tools. Interview data was analysed thematically and organised with the help of Quirkos. Analysis of the survey indicated the presence of mimetic effect and associated variables. Mimetic effect was identified in the qualitative interviews. The Resonance Model of Mimetic Effect in Mentoring was developed from findings of six synergistic generative conditions and two motivational drivers. Mentor-mentee prioritising of responsiveness to God was found to be a particularly significant factor in the generative mechanism of mimetic effect. Further research could test and develop this model in other contexts, in particular by examining the presence or absence of transcendence factors.

Grantor dc:publisher

Oxford Brookes University

Year dc:date

2018

Author dc:creator

• Norris, Colin

Contributors dc:contributor

• Cox, Elaine
• Gannon, Judie

Statement dc:rights

• All rights reserved

Language dc:language

en

DOI dc:identifier

https://doi.org/10.24384/eee9-8303

OAI identifier oai:identifier

tle:815c80bb-11f8-4542-9991-34e48ad477b4:d6bd9758-527a-46cd-bfe2-c433766e8fca:1