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Mentee FAQ’s & Information:
Below is a list of our most frequently asked questions and information on both our Mentor and Spouse Mentor Programs. We hope you will participate and we look forward to your involvement!
How can I participate in the Mentor Program?
Simply email us at: mentoring@a-e-m.org and request either the Mentee Application or the Spouse Mentee Application. Then send it back in to the Arts & Entertainment Ministries office before the application deadline(which varies).
Who are the mentors? They are mature Christians who have been in the Arts & Entertainment Industry for a minimum of 10 years. For the Spouse Mentor Program they are mature Christians who are married to artists or creative professionals that have been in the Arts & Entertainment Industry for many years. All mentors have gone through AEM’s mentor training and are committed to:
- Being a Christian model
- Holding onto Scripture as the final authority in all areas of faith and practice
- Integrating their faith with their understanding and execution of their artistic discipline
- Investing in those they mentor
How long will I be mentored? The first term is a six-month time commitment. If you and your mentor agree to continue the mentoring for a following term, it can be another six-months or longer.
How will I be matched with a mentor? You will be matched by:
- The area of art or entertainment that you are involved in
- By your request of the type of mentor you would like
How will I be matched with a mentor for the Spouse Mentor Program? You will be matched by:
- The area of art or entertainment that your spouse is involved in
- By your request of the type of mentor you would like
Also please note that men will be mentored by men & women will be mentored by women.
How often will I meet with my mentor? Ultimately that is a decision you and your mentor need to work out together. AEM’s minimum requirements (in order to get the most out of the program) are: one face-to-face meeting per month and one contact per week via phone or email. If you and your mentor agree to meet or contact each other more frequently that is a mutual decision for you both to work out together.
What areas will I be mentored in?
- Christian Life: Living in Los Angeles can be like living in a spiritual wasteland. Thus, it is of primary importance that we continue to develop and nurture our spiritual health. Are we learning to love God more as we pursue our careers and/or family goals? Do we understand Grace, and how amazing God’s love is for us? Do we love our neighbors better as a result of our spiritual growth? How is our personal relationship with God growing in the midst of pursuing our dreams and goals? Your mentor will be interacting with you on such topics regarding your personal spiritual walk and how you are living out your faith in Christ here in LA.
- Cultural Understanding: In order to be effective artists, we need to not only understand what Biblical principles provide our foundation, but we also need to understand the culture to which we are called. Like the Apostle Paul on Mars Hill, we are better suited to engage our culture if we understand it’s values and metaphors. It is critical that we begin to understand what “world views” are being communicated by our peers, so that we can interact with them effectively, and so we can interact with the culture at large in an effective manner. Be sure to take advantage of discussing the questions you have on how to reach and care for those around you in your cultural setting; through your personal interactions and through the art you create or are a part of. And for spouses--- dialoguing with their spouse about the art they create or are a part of.
- Career: Just as David said he would not offer a sacrifice to God, which cost him nothing, so we must not offer our lives and our creative works without taking the time and effort to grow in our particular discipline and/or medium of art. If we are to do everything to the best of our ability, then part of our witness in our career is a direct result of training and talent. If a person who calls them self a “Christian” does not demonstrate talent and discipline, then they are contributing not only to the negative stereotypes about Christians, but they also lose credibility among their peers. When this happens, the watching world becomes convinced that the God “Christians” believe in does not care so much about art, talent, or excellence. Few things could be further from the truth. This area is the time to really get the practical advice your need to further your career. Engage your mentor on what resources they have to help you.
For Spouses:
- Career & Family: More importantly, another crucial example of being a witness and doing everything to God’s glory is our care and nurture of those God has entrusted to us: our spouses and/or children. It is difficult to balance career and marriage/family. God calls us to build up our families and our careers. Be sure to take time with your mentor to openly discuss these challenges whether they relate to priorities of time, resources or money. We hope that the spouse mentor program will help maintain and build the strength of your family as you engage your mentor.
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