Date

12-11-2024

Department

Rawlings School of Divinity

Degree

Doctor of Ministry (DMin)

Chair

Jeffrey Johnson

Keywords

discipleship, mature, mentee, mentor, mentoring, spiritual growth, single women, women

Disciplines

Human Resources Management | Leadership Studies

Abstract

Though church attendance is down, women still comprise the largest percentage of churchgoers. With the decline in church attendance, a decline in programs for women has ensued. Nevertheless, the continued need for mentoring women remains the same. This DMIN action research aims to address this need and develop a mentorship program where mature women mentor younger women in their continued personal spiritual growth. This research project includes a training seminar for the mentors, a six-week Bible study for the mentees, and six weeks of one-on-one mentoring, during which the mature women mentor the younger women in their faith. Triangulation of data collection was utilized to determine the efficacy of the mentoring, which comprised journals, end-of-study questionnaires, and a final focus group. This thesis project aims to add to the current scholarship on this topic by evidencing that not only is there a need for mentoring programs of this kind in the local church, but also a desire for it. Through this lens, this research seeks to encourage local churches to provide their church members with similar opportunities for continued spiritual growth. One of the best gifts that can be passed on to the next generation of women is wisdom through mentorship programs like the one documented in this research project.

Download

Share

COinS