For mentors...

Both Books is early in the launch process, and we continue to seek God's vision for the Mentoring process and relationship.  The church asks us to find a 'teacher' or 'pastor' to lead us in our discipleship.  Twelve Step communities utilize the concept of Sponsorship to guide members through the steps, and are sometimes long-term partners that walk together in their growth.  Both Books believes that both of these models are already established and are God's plan for those communities.   Both Books is not intended to be a replacement for such communities, but instead stands alongside of the church and Twelve Step organizations as a resource for members to take their next steps in their walk with God. 

Our current vision is that a Both Books Mentor will:

1. Lead new members through the Twelve Steps in Both Books group meetings.
2. Help those who are un-churched to find the church that is God's best for them (Both Books has no affiliation with any particular church or denomination).
3. Help those who are not yet part of a Twelve Step program locate and connect with those that are a fit for their particular addiction and/or behavior issues.

Both Books Mentors are a requirement for continued participation beyond the third meeting.  During this first three meetings, Both Books will assist new members in connecting with a Mentor that is appropriate for their personal needs, as this is a very close relationship and we want to be patient and follow God's leading.

The Bible has much to say about what is required of servant leaders, and what their qualifications should be.  Twelve Step programs have a wide range of customs and methods for establishing sponsors.  While there could be much debate about these topics, Both Books chooses to keep it simple:

Mentors are qualified by having worked with a mentor to complete through Step 9 of the Life Recovery Twelve Steps, and should be continuing to apply the spiritual principles of the Twelve Steps in their daily lives, and are established members attending a church and an appropriate Twelve Step program.

Having worked the first nine steps, we know that the Spirit will have begun to flow in to these believers to achieve a level of God-consciousness, and that the ninth step promises outlined in the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous (pages 83-84) will have become real and alive in the member.  As such, it is vital that they begin to use the daily maintenance and growth of steps 10 thru 12, and so mentoring others is not only an option, but a vital responsibility to continue their own walk and spiritual growth.

Such members have an abundance of testimony and can function as a servant leader to new members in a profound manner.  With God, all things are possible!