Who is eligible to be a Pilgrim?

Any member of our NTNL churches or who is involved in Via de Cristo is welcome to seek spiritual direction with a Mentor under this program.

How do I meet a Mentor?
If you are interested in spiritual direction, first pray for God to guide your search.  There are many resources available to you, not only this program but in your own church and in the Via de Cristo community.  Ask your pastor or the rector of your Via de Cristo Ultreya for assistance.

How do I select a Mentor?
Both Pilgrim and Mentor should have a sense of the rightness of their relationship to enable open, honest communication.  A reverence for the unique way God is working in both lives is important, also.  Specifics of age, sex, denomination, etc., may or may not be a determining factor depending on the individuals involved.  What is essential is that Mentor and Pilgrim be comfortable enough together to accomplish their purpose.  If the initial introduction goes well, plan to meet several times and then re-evaluate the relationship.

What is the Mentor's role?The Mentor's role is to focus the Pilgrim's attention on his or her relationship with God as it is reflected and challenged by all aspects of that person's life.  The Mentor may question, challenge, suggest, or support as seems called for by the Holy Spirit, but ultimately the Pilgrim must own whatever insights are uncovered or any course of action to be taken. 

What principles guide the mentor relationship?

• The Holy Spirit is the real director.
• Everything shared between Pilgrim and Mentor is confidential, which means it will not be gossiped.  Mentors do not have the legal protection of confidentiality held by pastors.
• Each Pilgrim is responsible for his/her own walk with God.
• Mentors and Pilgrims should not be friends.  Too close an acquaintance makes objectivity difficult.
• The focus is God: his presence and guidance in all life experiences.