The role of Christian Mentoring in Positive Youth Development Programs in the Hex River Valley

Abstract

Positive Youth Development is an emerging discipline with an appreciative, inclusive disposition towards children that can be defined as an approach or a philosophy to youth programming. One of the vehicles used for positive youth development is positive youth development programs. For this study I will only focus on programs used in Christian faith communities in the Hex River Valley and the adults and children involved in those programs. These adults are leaders or mentors who have a multi-faceted and diverse role in positive youth development programming. One aspect of that role that this research will attend to, is Christian mentoring. This study aims to compile a description of how mentors for six to twelve year old children mentored them in the Christian faith community. Analysis of the focus group and semi structured interview data revealed that Christian mentoring happens on the peripheries of the Christian faith community, at the homes of children through neighbours and family. Christian mentoring happens by chance and is a by-product of good relationships, children have with people close to them. The practical theological research methodology used in this research, was the four tasks of Practical Theology as explained by Richard Osmer. Perspectives from Deuteronomy on involvement of adults in the lives of children was used to complete the normative task.