Mentoring Churches: Partners with TEDS in the Formation of Ministry Students

Imagine sitting under a superb and godly theology professor in the morning and spending an hour with an experienced pastor/mentor in the afternoon, talking about the difficult hospital call he just made.

Imagine working on a paper on the theology of the church the same week you sit in on an Elder Board meeting.

What if you could study the exegesis of a biblical text in the seminary library and then, a couple of hours later, talk with your pastor about how he preached that same passage of Scripture?

Wouldn't it be great if you could weave your seminary field education and internship requirements naturally into the life of the church where you and your family are deeply committed?

Trinity divinity students have always been involved with local churches as part of their ministry preparation, but now students who qualify will be invited into a unique collaboration between TEDS and selected local churches.

Mentoring Churches, a consortium of evangelical churches near Trinity, are committed to taking a limited number of students under their wings for the students' entire seminary careers, providing ongoing pastoral mentoring and hands-on experience.

Mentoring Churches Qualifications

In response to the leading of God, a qualified Mentoring Church desires to invest itself in the preparation of seminary students for ministry.

The Mentoring Church commits to equipping the student with the knowledge, skills, and competencies to do the tasks of the ministry to which they are called. Each church determines how many students they can manage, and the qualifications for inclusion.

A pastor of the Mentoring Church promises an ongoing mentoring relationship, focused on guiding the student in the development of Christian character, spirituality, vocational call, and ministerial identity. The student in a Mentoring Church becomes a "favored son or daughter" whom the church adopts and loves.

Other ministry staff and lay leaders will regularly interact with the student, giving opportunities to observe various ministries, to have direct ministry involvement, and to receive thoughtful feedback.

A second mentoring pastor at a more distant church may also be arranged for the student. This “Distance Mentoring Pastor” can give the student exposure to aspects of ministry not available in the primary church—for example, a rural church setting, the role of a children’s pastor, or a church with a specialized outreach ministry.

A Mentoring Church views its students as a stewardship and responsibility more than as a resource and source of help. The church is committed to do all it can to prepare the students for the ministry to which God is calling them. While there is no guarantee of direct aid, the church will seek to work with each student in terms of his/her financial needs so that indebtedness will not limit future ministry.

Teachable Students

In response to the leading of God, a student in a mentoring church will agree to commit to the requirements stated by the church and seminary in a covenant. This Mentoring Church covenant will integrate several Field Education courses and the internship required by Trinity into a single, integrated, ministry experience. Normally the student will join the church and remain until graduation. A student who breaks the covenant midway through his/her studies will not receive partial credit unless all the parties involved agree that the decision is God's leading.

Benefits to Students in Mentoring Churches

In recognition of God's leading of the student and church, a single, integrated covenant and equipping/mentoring plan will be developed to integrate several Field Education courses and the required Internship into a one field-based learning experience.

• A seamless and deep relationship with the Mentoring Church during your entire seminary career.
• A long-term relationship with a mentoring pastor committed to the ministry and to you.
• Ministry opportunities in a church you have grown to love; real ministry, not just 'practice'.
• The opportunity to formulate a philosophy of ministry in league with a healthy church leadership team.
• Opportunities to sit in on staff and board meetings, prayer and strategy sessions, behind-the-scenes preparation for worship, preaching, missions, evangelism and other ministries.
• A church body sensitive to your character development and to your family's health and ministry preparation.

“One of the most challenging but critical needs for the 21st century church is the development of leadership. The church must be led by spiritual people who can exegete the Word and approach all of life Christocentrically, but who can also exegete culture and think strategically. After 17 years of being a pastor and just less than half that as a seminary president, I am more convinced than ever that this kind of church leadership formation can only happen through a genuine and intentional partnership between local church and seminary. The “Mentoring Church” program has the greatest potential of any program I have seen to provide that kind of partnership. I trust that many churches and pastors will participate. I look forward to having our TEDS students be nurtured through it.”

Dr. Greg Waybright, former President of Trinity International University

“I have been greatly impressed with the commitment of the pastors of the Great Lakes District Mentoring Churches who desire to meaningfully invest in and mentor our students. I encourage all of our students to fully investigate this wonderful opportunity.”

Dr. Hutz Hertzberg, Director of Church Planting, Great Lakes District, Evangelical Free Church of America

“I commend the pastors and lay leaders for equipping theological students, so as to encourage their growth in wisdom and character, as well as in pastoral skills. It is vital that theological students have models and a nurturing environment in the local church while studying at seminary.”

Dr. Willem A. VanGemeren, Professor of Old Testatment & Semitic Studies & Director of the PhD in Theological Studies

“Given Trinity's strong commitment to preparing pastoral leaders for the local church, I am excited about our partnership with Mentoring Churches. This will provide TEDS students with a well-rounded experience that includes both classroom instruction and personal experience in the laboratory of the local church. We believe this will equip them for effective ministry in the 21st century.”

Dr. Tite Tiénou, Senior Vice President of Education and Dean of Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

“All of us who are pastors of Mentoring Churches believe one of our essential ministries, given our proximity to Trinity, is helping with the development of future leaders. In every case, our churches join us in this commitment.”

Rev. Lee Eclov, Sr. Pastor, Village Church of Lincolnshire (EFCA)

"I cannot imagine my time at TEDS apart from my involvement in the Mentoring Church program. It served to anchor the seminary classroom to its appropriate context: pastoral work in the local church. I recommend this program to every M.Div. student without reservation."

Dave Abernethy, MDiv 2003