Save this Date: Regional CM Training for the Mentoring Project
I just got off the phone with the wise and witty Keith Johnson. We’ve firmed up the date for a unique day of Children’s Ministry training that will benefit both paid professionals and front line teachers. Keith and I will be presenting training from Keith and my leadership and volunteer-training books, as well as some of the hottest new training content to come out of Group!
Here’s what’s different about this conference. All of the tuition money raised will be donated to the The Mentoring Project. The Mentoring Project is commited to reversing the effects of the American Crisis of Fatherlessness. We will do by motivating and training churches all over the United States to provide mentors for the sons of single moms. Our first benchmark is recruiting 10,000 mentors.
I can’t think of a more motivated population of people to engage in this task– children’s minstry professionals and volunteers who already orient their lives around the spiritual development of children. We’re becoming more aware of the need for family ministry. But we will tragically miss the boat if we only provide ministry for intact, two-parent families. The most effective way to address the needs of these families is through godly and healthy men pouring their time and energy into fatherless sons.
We’re still hammering out the exact content and the pricing. But know this: You’ll walk away overwhelmed by the value of the information you received. And your church business administrator will not object to the expense, even during this recession.
Consider this post your “Save this Date” notice: September 19, 2009
One last note: I’m so pleased to have been published by Group. Their generousity to this project is staggering. When I queried about this partnership the answer was an immedate “yes.” There were no committees, no meetings, no layers of approval. Sure, they’re a business… but a business that shared God’s heart for the widow and the orphan. Thanks, Group!
What is the date again? I re-read the post and couldn’t seem to find it.
I’d like to know more about the Mentoring Project and the protections you’ve built into it to avoid abuse or false allegations of abuse, the reason we haven’t done anything like it at our church.
Debbie Rowley
January 7, 2009 at 6:25 pm
I added the date. Sorry for that Debby.
Regarding risks: All of the applicants are interviewed, reference checked, and screened against databased just like Sunday School.
Obviously there’s no two-adult rule. The context doesn’t allow it. Legally risk is managed by doing everything can can be done in this context to reduce the risk. So that looks a little different in the context of one-to-one mentoring.
However, in the same say organizations like “Big Brother, Big Sister” operate mentoring doesn’t occur without the mother signing a consent form.
Larry Shallenberger
January 8, 2009 at 7:11 am
I’m very interested in really seeing how this all works. This is definitely very close to my heart. Thanks for adding the date–looking forward to hearing more!
Rindy Walton
January 8, 2009 at 10:00 pm
Larry,
What is the age range that is being concentrated on?
Glen Woods
January 8, 2009 at 11:37 pm
For the training? The training will touch leadership development was well as basic children’s ministry skills: discipline, classroom management, etc.
The Mentoring Project works with children mostly in elementary through high school.
Larry Shallenberger
January 9, 2009 at 6:35 am
If I can talk Wade into it, would you all enjoy a Q and A with him about The Mentoring Project?
Larry Shallenberger
January 9, 2009 at 6:36 am
Sorry for lack of clarity in my question. I meant what age of children are being focused on to mentor. Is it children and youth of any age? Or does it start at a certain age such as 10 years old?
Glen Woods
January 9, 2009 at 11:07 pm
The focus is on children between 5 and 14 years of age.
The earlier a mentor gets involved, the more preventative the influence.
Larry Shallenberger
January 10, 2009 at 3:37 pm
Yes, I would like a Q and A session. We have some boys who are showing really serious behavior problems due to no dad. We’ve always said “no” to this sort of idea because of our “never be alone with a child” rule. (I like having the mother sign a consent.)
Debbie Rowley
January 14, 2009 at 9:36 pm