3 Myths of Mentorship

Which one have you heard?

At Stand in the Gap, we’ve spent 25+ years training mentors to walk through seasons of transition with people in need. Over the years, we’ve heard all the reasons NOT to mentor. So now it’s time to set the record straight!

Have you ever told yourself any of these myths of mentorship?

Prefer the 1 minute video version? Watch Jake debunk the myths here.

Myth #1

I’m not accomplished enough to be a mentor.

We all have something that we can give to someone else.

Mentors are advisors and confidantes. They are counselors and consultants. They are cheerleaders and prayer-warriors. Whether or not you feel that you have remarkable advice to share or wisdom to impart, your willingness to share your time is of immense value.

In fact, our most successful mentors are the ones who, regardless of what they’ve accomplished in life, approach their Stand in the Gap relationships with humility. These volunteers often report feeling as much impacted by their Stand in the Gap experiences as the person they were mentoring.

One of the most important things a mentor needs is established trust with their mentee. If you can build trust in a relationship by showing respect, keeping commitments, and being vulnerable, you have all you need to be a mentor.

Myth #2

I don’t have time to be a mentor.

We all make time for the things that are really valuable to us. Stand in the Gap small groups are asked to plan 1-2 meetings per month, lasting just 1.5-2 hours each. That’s just a 3-4 hour per month commitment.

If you evaluated your calendar, what could you make do to make room for a person in need? You might be surprised how a simple text message, a game of basketball, or a conversation over dinner can add up to change a life.

Myth #3

I’m too young to be a mentor.

Whether our volunteers serve through Stand in the Gap’s Women in Transition or Life Launch program, a Stand in the Gap small group is a team effort, meaning you don’t mentor alone. Young adult volunteers can partner with older volunteers to invest in a young adult and provide a well-rounded perspective on life.

We’ve worked successfully with adult volunteers of all ages. Younger mentors often provide an important perspective (and empathy) on life in a season of transition. Older mentors bring wisdom, stability, and more life experience to the table.

Regardless of your age or stage of life, we do our best to match mentors and mentees based on personality and interests. Don’t let yours go to waste!