You Should Use This Mentorship Framework

Nowadays, there are a lot of academic programs that train young people to become worship leaders, offering full-fledged degrees in running music ministries and serving the congregation. 

That's all well and good, but no one can argue that experience is the better teacher. And with experience comes the need for mentorship. 

And for mentorship to thrive, there has to be a system in place. 

Here's a framework that you can use to develop your fresh ministry school grads (or anybody else entering service) into well-seasoned ministers equipped to handle the regular responsibilities and demands of leading and serving others.

Step 1: You Do the Work but Have Them Watch

You can discuss theories and ideas, but real knowledge is learned by observing it in action. This first step can be applied virtually to all areas of music ministry:

• Arranging charts.

• Putting together visuals.

• Dialing in front-of-house sound.

• Rehearsing the instrumentalists and vocalists.

Have your mentee watch and write down their observations for each task you demonstrate to them. Then, regroup to talk about what they saw (and DIDN'T see). 

Step 2: You Do the Work and Have Them Help

This is the step where you take what they've observed and guide them into practicing it. Here's how it could play out:

• When arranging songs, ask them which direction they would take in a given tune.

• As you put together visuals, ask them to reiterate each step in formatting, timing, etc.

• Get their input on fixes and tweaks they would make to the sound as the band is playing.

• Let them assume responsibilities like count-offs and demonstrating proper delivery during rehearsal.

Your feedback on these tasks can be in real time or after the fact, depending on the situation. But this step is crucial in highlighting what they're "getting" and NOT "getting." You can correct mistakes and misconceptions, and point them toward the right way to accomplish the task most efficiently and effectively.

Step 3: They Do the Work and You Help Them

In this step, you hand them the reins, but now you're the co-pilot. Here's what it looks like:

• Give them 1 or 2 songs to arrange for an upcoming service.

• Let them put together an entire set of sermon slides, lyrics, or a video montage.

• Give them more liberties in making decisions on how to shape the front-of-house sound.

• Let them take charge in directing the band on a couple tunes, giving them full rein to guide the musicians.

While doing this, it's your job to correct their course if they're straying or provide necessary explanations and details to get the job done. Afterwards, have a review conversation to talk about what went well and what could be improved. 

Step 4: They Do the Work and You Watch Them

At this point, your mentee is almost ready to fly solo. Your role is to:

• Let them arrange a full set.

• Give full responsibility for all visual media. 

• Watch them dial in and perfect the front-of-house sound.

• Have them fully direct a rehearsal with the players and singers. 

After this, it's time to have another review conversation to address their strengths and improvements needed. 

Step 5: They Do the Work and Have Someone Else Watch

This is actually where your mentee takes on the role of a mentor, repeating the same process that you took them through. At this point, you can check in with them periodically to make sure that everything is going OK, or it could be part of a repeated process where you're guiding them in mentoring others. Either way, take an active role in making sure they have what they need and are taking the right actions, but without being a micromanager. 

Be blessed 👊✌️