It takes a network of Christian groups to raise up the next generation of gospel workers. Whether people are at BST preparing to pastor or plant churches, offer for mission overseas, lead a youth group, or return to work with new eyes for opportunities there and at church, they need the support and encouragement of other believers.
At BST we recognise that we play just a part in the spiritual formation of students. By the time someone arrives at BST, their Christian commitment has been shaped by a range of influences. For most it’s the faithful ministry of their local church, or relationships with godly families and friends, or school and university ministries, or the initiative and guidance of a mission agency. When they finish their studies they will need the ongoing support of mission agencies, parachurch organisations, friends and churches.
At BST we take our part in this process very seriously. Along with biblical, gospel-centred theological education, we aim to provide systematic and intentional mentoring of each student. The goal is to see each one growing in their maturity in Christ (Col 1:28). For full-time students, this means meeting one-to-one three times a semester with a member of the faculty. Part-timers meet at least once. These are times to discuss the student’s academic program, church involvement, discipleship and goals for the future. The mentoring relationship allows for prayer, reflection, candour and practical support.
To find out what it’s like to be a mentor in the program we caught up with Sally McCall one of our women’s mentors who has supported 30 students over the past three years. Sally is a BST graduate who completed her Master of Divinity in 2011 and previously served on the BST Board. She leaves BST at the end of the year and hopes to pursue a Clinical Pastoral Education Course at the PA hospital in 2015. Sally will continue to work as the Member Services Officer for CMS QNNSW on a part-time basis.
What have you enjoyed about mentoring?
It is a privileged opportunity to be involved in the lives of these godly women. They are keen to study the Scriptures at depth as they prepare themselves for part or full-time ministry/mission, and to grow in spiritual maturity. This includes growing to know God better, growing in humility as they grapple with God’s word, and being challenged beyond their comfort zones. I have loved helping the students to explore the gifts and abilities God has given them and how they can be used to serve Him. It has also been a privilege to prayerfully support and to be a confidant to students through life issues as they have sought guidance on numerous occasions.
What are some of the challenges you have come across in mentoring?
Every person who comes to BST is different and while some value the mentoring relationship as helpful for their growth, others need a little more encouragement. Over the years I have encouraged students to:
- seek opportunities to disciple another woman or do one-to-one Bible reading to help build their confidence in articulating their faith;
- prayerfully seek godly Christian peers with whom they can pray and keep them accountable outside of BST, whom they can naturally relate to, talk, pray and share about their spiritual life and ongoing personal issues;
- find an older mentor at church or outside church who knows them well and is able to pray for them and who will talk through issues regularly with godly wisdom;
- experience leading a home group so that they can use their knowledge of God’s word and share it with others.
The continual challenge for mentoring is for the students to see the value of these principles for their life and ministry while at BST and beyond.
How do you think mentoring impacts on a student’s learning experience at college?
The intimate, one-on-one conversations are rare between younger and older Christians because mentoring is not common systematic practice. We are all sinners saved by grace and mentoring conversations enable us to relate to students and help them to feel understood. When you are given time to develop mentoring relationships, build trust and ensure total discretion, I’ve found that no topic is taboo. I have been able to listen (without judgment) and discuss with students topics ranging from sexuality, eating disorders, perfectionism, the need to maintain power and control, stress and work/study overload, dating or marriage, deep theological issues and so much more. I believe these conversations, followed up by prayer, can share the emotional load with students and allow them to re-focus on their studies so they worry less about these distracting challenges.
In addition to listening and prayerfully supporting them with personal issues, on an academic level, mentors are able to help students work through their total study program and figure out if their course of study needs to be adapted to a changing spiritual/ministry direction that students may be experiencing during their time at college.
Sadly, you’re leaving us at the end of the year. Do you have any advice for past and current students you have mentored?
Having had this opportunity to study God’s word at depth to know Him better is one of the most profound and life-changing experiences you’ll ever have. Thank you to the students I have mentored for so openly sharing your study and life journey with me while at BST. It has been an absolute privilege for me and I have loved our time together. I hope I was able to encourage you to identify and develop your spiritual gifts and abilities. Please keep in touch occasionally. Send me an email and let me know what God is doing in and through you in Christian ministry, and what you are learning from Him in His word by His Spirit. As Thomas Merton says, “no man is an island”, so please keep praying about finding discrete Christian friends who will keep you accountable for your life, as well as prayerfully seeking an older Christian mentor who can provide you with long-term and godly wisdom who will pray with/for you.
Lastly, please don’t worry if you still don’t know what you’re going to do with your theological qualifications. God brought you to BST for a reason. Be encouraged that He will use your deeper knowledge of Him for His glory and in His kingdom purposes, so people can come to know Jesus as their Lord and Saviour.
We’re thankful to the Lord for Sally’s ministry at BST and we pray that God will continue to use her gifts and skills as she serves at CMS and in hospital, palliative and/or aged care chaplaincy in the future. Stay tuned as we introduce you to our new women’s mentor, Kylie Brown.
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