1. What is Decision Mentoring?
Decision Mentoring is a non-profit organization focused on leaders who are facing challenges – in circumstances, in relationships, or in times of indecision in the face of opportunity. Decision Mentoring provides education promoting timeless solutions and remedies resulting in healthy leaders and organizations.
2. How can DM help?
Decision Mentoring will help you assess, and address opportunities or problem issues. We’ll walk with you through the hard work of identifying root causes of problems and the catalysts that promote good decisions and avoid poor ones. . We then provide the support and relationship that makes Decision Mentoring more than an academic exercise or solution.
3. Is there a way to test the waters before I jump in?
The best way to become more familiar with Decision Mentoring is to join a Leadership Development Cohort near you. LDC’s are groups of leaders who meet monthly focused on a specific, relevant, and timely topic and set of questions. It’s strictly Q&A with no expectations of participation. Some enjoy listening, some are more talkative. All have a good time. This is the start of friendship, discussion, and encouragement. If a group is not located near you, Decision Mentoring can help you start one. The best part? Groups are free of charge.
4. Where did the idea of Decision Mentoring come from? (idea and motivation)
The answer is “a heart for ministry and it’s leaders”. Our staff has enough experience to appreciate the value of helping others to move with opportunities and avoid or recover from unfortunate decisions. We have a desire to help with others who are navigating the twists and turns of a plan of ministry. We’d love the opportunity to ride along side of you.
5. How can Decision Mentoring help my church staff?
It’s not uncommon for churches to fail to fully realize staff potential or to have tension within the church staff. We have found that most of these situations develop from four areas: (1) uniformity of vision and defined expectations (2) vague or missing communications (3) misplaced priorities of leadership and (4) inconsistent team building efforts. Often church staffs with unmet potential or experiencing difficulties struggle with more than one of these areas. Decision Mentoring will work with you to bring a collective mission among your church staff and provide a plan for a way forward.
6. What about confidentiality?
Levels of confidentiality are established early in our relationship. Our relationship with you and/or your board or staff is based on trust and respect. Trust is established as DM establishes and observes the boundaries of reporting or sharing information with involved parties. Illegal activity is a different matter. Illegal activity must always be reported.
7. Do I have to sign a contract?
A formal agreement that holds you to financial payment for a service you determine is no longer needed - absolutely not! A written understanding that helps portray expectations of services rendered and what is “in bound and out of bounds” – you bet!. Any documented arrangements serve the primary purpose of clear communication and a reminder of our agreements.
8. What is the difference between mentoring and counseling?
For many the terms are interchangeable. For Decision Mentoring, there is one important distinction. Counseling can be focused or limited to an academic approach to opportunities or problems. Mentoring emphasizes the experience of the mentor made available to others. Much like a journeyman assists and provides experience in a skilled trade, the Decision Mentoring mentor “guides from the side.”
9. What is this going to cost me?
Because we invite donors to underwrite the salary and office expenses of Decision Mentoring is able to keep our costs low and our assistance affordable. We do ask each church or individual to contribute toward the on-site/travel expenses – and this for a very specific reason. Human nature compels us to take things more seriously if we have personally invested in them. Because we’re committed to the work of developing healthy leaders and churches, we ask our clients to invest in Decision Mentoring. Such investment is determined on a case-by-case basis.
10. How do I get started?
Getting started is as simple as a phone call or a text. Since each church ministry or leadership will possess unique needs, a proposal for services will be presented after discussion and definition of circumstances and objectives are obtained. Phone/Text: 317-501-1066
11. What is expected of me?
Four expectations constitute the necessary culture for our relationship and positive developments. (1) Be truthful...even if it hurts. (2) Be on time...we will be. (3) Be open...put aside any hidden or unspoken agenda. (4) Be engaged...this will be work.