Faith Development Project
Helping children develop their faith

When children are baptized the adults of the Church promise to help the child to develop her/his faith in God through Jesus Christ. Often it is a godparent who makes the promise with the parents and the rest of the congregation. Certain adults in the congregation are asked to be an Adult Mentor, Buddy, Guide, Fellow Christian Learners, which is essentially being an honorary godparent.

A student will select (with the pastor and parents help) an Adult Mentor, Buddy, Guide, Fellow Christian Learner to help them develop their faith in Christ. That does not mean this selected person is a super Christian. It simply means there is something about this person that has inspired the child’s trust. S/he wants to develop a relationship with this adult. That is the main job of an Adult Mentor, Buddy, Guide, Fellow Christian Learner, to develop a trustworthy relationship with the student, in Christ’s name. One does not need to be somebody else. One does not need any special Christian knowledge. One does not need to study up. Expertise is not required.

An Adult Mentor, Buddy, Guide, Fellow Christian Learner is a fellow traveler, with whom a student wishes to establish a relationship in which, together, you will intentionally discuss matters of faith and life.

The pastor will provide written guides for the discussions. The job of the student and the Adult Mentor, Buddy, Guide, Fellow Christian Learner , together, is to follow the instructions in the guides and turn the finished product in to the pastor’s mail slot.

The job of the Adult Mentor, Buddy, Guide, Fellow Christian Learner is to:
• Assume mutual responsibility with the student to meet at least once a month, but a total of at least 12 times in a year.
• Keep the parent(s) of the student completely informed of this relationship. They must always know exactly where you are and exactly at what times.
• Take adult leadership in arranging the time and place of the meeting, making sure you begin and end at the time you have agreed to with the student (and her or his parent).
• Assume responsibility for travel as needed.
• Show initiative in fulfilling the requirements of each of the study guides to the best of your ability. Encourage the student to do the same. Even if you think the guide or assignment is lame, make the best of it. You can provide the pastor with feedback and criticism in private.
• Lead by example in discussing the questions and issues honestly and with appropriate self-disclosure.
• Encourage the student to turn in the assignments you have discussed and filled out.
• Be aware of the all the expectations of the students in this program.
• Pray for the student.
• Use good judgment in maintaining adult to child boundaries.
• Attend the student, parent, preacher, adult mentor, buddy, guide, fellow Christian learner parties which will occur every other month or so to debrief progress.
• Demonstrate faithfulness and commitment to the relationship you establish with this student.

What if:
My student and I cannot arrange a time to meet?
It is the mutual responsibility of the you and the student to make time for these important meetings and discussions. If you are not willing to make the time do not agree to do this. If the student shows unwillingness or will not cooperate, alert the pastor.

I do not know how to answer the questions in the guides?
The two most important things are
1) the faithfulness of your relationship with the student and
2) offering the process what you have, not worrying about what you do not have to offer. Do the best of your willingness.

My student and I disagree?
Your job is be yourself and to encourage and make room for the student to be her or himself. It does not matter if you agree or disagree. It matters if you are caring toward your student. It is not your place to convince the student of any position on any topic. You are, however, encouraged to share your thoughts, honestly and in love.

My student will not participate in discussion?
It is their responsibility to participate. If you are convinced they are refusing, or if you sense that nobody is having fun (you or him/her) talk to me (pastor).