Book Review: Mentoring for a Mission
Found in Scholarship and Professional Development > Mentoring
Mentoring for a Mission: nurturing new faculty at church-related colleges; Caroline J. Simon, Laura Bloxham, Denise Doyle, Mel Hailey, Jane Hokanson Hawks, Kathleen Light, Dominic P. Scibilia, Ernest Simmons; Eerdmans, Grand Rapids 2003. 129 pages.
The eight authors of Mentoring for a Mission demonstrate that faculty mentoring begins with and rests on a community of faith. They recommend that instruction and reflection on the Christian heritage, tradition, and mission of the college is crucial for faculty to gain an understanding of purpose and motive and to perceive possibilities for making a contribution. The authors balance this broad scope by recognizing that mentoring is personal, emphasizing the value of new faculty members and addressing their specific needs.
Simon, et. al., place mentoring issues--understanding the culture and expectations, effectiveness in the classroom, scholarly work habits, an attitude of service, among others--within the context of Christian discipleship. An academic career, in other words, offers opportunity to practice virtues such as wisdom, humility, love, and hospitality. The authors want new faculty to ask the profound, yet practical, question "How can I contribute to what matters most?" And as part of the answer to this question, they discuss creating and sustaining a mentoring program. They authors anticipate such outcomes as increased collegiality, improved faculty retention, and rejuvenating veteran faculty while building future leaders. Even better, the authors conclude that the best reason for providing a mentoring program is because it is "the right and fitting thing to do as an exercise in Christian hospitality." This is a convincing, thoughtful book. While this book specifically addresses mentoring new faculty members, the emphasis on creating a faithful academic community makes this book a wonderful read for all faculty.
Reviewed by Nancy Thomas
Associate Director of Faculty Development, Union University
Faculty Minister, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship