Nine Guidelines from the Exodus story:

Author: 
Tim Scorer
Volume: 
3
Issue: 
1
  1. Tim ScorerWelcome a trusted colleague or mentor to witness you in some aspects of your practice of ministry. Be conscious of opening yourself to hear the observations and reflections offered and of letting go any defensiveness and judgment that would keep you from receiving the gifts of the witness. (vs. 13-16)
  2. When you are called to be a witness or a mentor create a space and time in your conversation with your friend in ministry in which you feel comfortable to speak plainly and openly about what you have observed and about the reflections you have from those observations.  (vs. 17-19a)
  3. When you are acting as a mentor of the person in ministry, centre yourself in deep care for the other. Recognize this as a moment when you embody the character of God: compassion. (vs. 19)
  4. As a mentor or spiritual care-giver, distinguish carefully between the times when it is most helpful to do each of the following: quietly observe, describe what you see (behaviour description), empathize with the other, express judgment (and sometimes confrontation), give counsel or advice, and offer a blessing. (vs. 19-23)
  5. When it is time to offer advice and counsel discern carefully at what level the advice is best offered: general advice connected to your observations, specific advice that includes (as Jethro's advice does) a well-conceived plan and the likely consequences if it is followed, or a combination of the two. (vs. 19-23)
  6. In all that you do as a witness and mentor stay consciously open to the movement of Spirit, discerning and listening, and aware always that what you offer as mentor and guide is shaped as a result of your centering in spirit. (vs. 23)
  7. When you are the one being accompanied and mentored, listen carefully, taking with gratitude whatever seems like a gift and letting go of whatever doesn't quite fit for you. Trust that the one who is offering the gifts of compassion, observation, judgment and counsel does so with the best of intention and not to do you harm. (vs. 24-26)
  8. When the mentor/guide has completed their accompaniment of you, offer words or actions to release them back into the world. (vs. 27)
  9. Take time to recognize achievements in leadership, both through formal acts of celebration and ritual as well as through sharing of food together. (vs. 10-12)