Mentoring is an integral component of the online theological education offered by South India Baptist Bible College & Seminary. In addition to academic instruction, students are expected to pursue intentional growth in their spiritual life, Christian character, relationships, and ministry. Mentoring provides the guidance, encouragement, accountability, and periodic evaluation necessary to support this aspect of their education. Through regular interaction, mentors assist students in their holistic formation throughout their studies.

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Purpose of Mentorship

The purpose of the mentoring relationship is to support the student's development in four areas of holistic formation:

• Spiritual Formation

• Personal Formation

• Interpersonal Formation

• Ministerial Formation

Through regular interaction, the mentor encourages the student's growth, provides counsel when needed, and evaluates the student's progress at each stage of the program. The responsibilities include:

 

Spiritual Guidance

• Pray regularly for and with the student.

• Encourage consistent spiritual disciplines, including prayer, Scripture reading, worship, and participation in the life of the local church.

Formation and Accountability

• Encourage honest reflection on the student's strengths, challenges, and areas requiring further growth.

• Provide biblical counsel and practical encouragement appropriate to the student's stage of development.

• Promote growth in spiritual, personal, interpersonal, and ministerial formation.

Regular Meetings

• Meet with the student approximately once every one or two months, either in person or through online communication.

• Discuss the student's progress, ministry involvement, and personal development throughout each formation level.

Evaluation

• Complete one Mentor Report at the conclusion of each formation level.

• Submit the report to the seminary through the designated online system. 

 

Time Commitment

The Master of Divinity Online Program normally extends over three to four years and includes four stages of holistic formation:

• Foundation

• Development

• Maturity

• Readiness for Ministry

Each formation level generally spans nine to twelve months, depending on the student's pace in their academics. 

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Mentor Qualifications

A mentor should:

• Be a mature Christian of sound character and established Christian testimony.

• Be actively involved in a local church or Christian ministry.

• Demonstrate spiritual maturity, integrity, and a commitment to biblical discipleship.

• Be willing to invest time in the student's growth and development.

 

Guidelines

• Mentors are generally expected to be of the same gender as the student. An opposite-gender mentoring relationship may be approved where appropriate, provided both the mentor and the student are comfortable with the arrangement and appropriate boundaries are maintained.

• Mentors may reside in any location and may meet with students either in person or online. Where the mentor is not in the student's locality, communication with the student's local church or pastor is encouraged in order to understand the student's ministry context and, where appropriate, receive updates regarding the student's progress.

• Information shared within the mentoring relationship should be treated with appropriate confidentiality and pastoral discretion.

 

Mentor Handbook

Further information regarding the mentoring process, responsibilities, evaluation procedures, and practical guidance is available in the Mentor Handbook.