Our Stories
Finding Common Ground
By Dianne Priest
I am thankful for the privilege of connecting a participant and their mentor in the first meeting together. I’ve affectionally dubbed these first meetings as, ‘The Matching Ceremony’ (in my head, not out loud). Each time it is an opportunity to see how God works behind the scenes to bring people together in an intentional way.
When I first meet a new potential participant for the COACH Program, I spend time respectfully listening to their story to help determine if we can appropriately support the participant and family in their current context.
Prayer is vital in every aspect of COACH but particularly so as I reflect on the story, the personality, and circumstances of the participant. I seek wisdom as to who from the team of mentors will be most suited to walk alongside as a ‘friend with purpose’ for a season.
Following ‘The Matching Ceremony,’ (still in my head) the mentor and participant usually meet on a weekly basis to build rapport and trust. The intentional relationship continues over a 12-month period to ensure that there has been significant and sustainable effort in reaching the goals set by the participant.
Recently I took a mentor to meet with her new participant and as we walked into the house we were greeted by a couple of cats. The mentor immediately recognized the breed of cat which initiated a natural friendly conversation with her new participant. From there they both discovered a shared love of horses, riding and caring for them. Now both these little gems of ‘common ground’ were unknown to me but known to God. I smile as I think just how well God takes care of the details, bringing mentors and participants together. As for me, I have the privilege of playing my part.
Finding common ground is an authentic way to build rapport and open the door for richer and deeper conversations in due time. COACH Mentoring is an effective relational, gentle and respectful way to impact the lives of those who invite us to journey alongside them for a season.
Let me know if you would enjoy finding common ground with a family in need of friendship, care, and support. It might not be cats or horses that are your thing, but your ‘Matching Ceremony’ may change not only the life of your participant, but yours as well.
“Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings.” (I Corinthians 9:22-23, NLT).
I am thankful for the privilege of connecting a participant and their mentor in the first meeting together. I’ve affectionally dubbed these first meetings as, ‘The Matching Ceremony’ (in my head, not out loud). Each time it is an opportunity to see how God works behind the scenes to bring people together in an intentional way.
When I first meet a new potential participant for the COACH Program, I spend time respectfully listening to their story to help determine if we can appropriately support the participant and family in their current context.
Prayer is vital in every aspect of COACH but particularly so as I reflect on the story, the personality, and circumstances of the participant. I seek wisdom as to who from the team of mentors will be most suited to walk alongside as a ‘friend with purpose’ for a season.
Following ‘The Matching Ceremony,’ (still in my head) the mentor and participant usually meet on a weekly basis to build rapport and trust. The intentional relationship continues over a 12-month period to ensure that there has been significant and sustainable effort in reaching the goals set by the participant.
Recently I took a mentor to meet with her new participant and as we walked into the house we were greeted by a couple of cats. The mentor immediately recognized the breed of cat which initiated a natural friendly conversation with her new participant. From there they both discovered a shared love of horses, riding and caring for them. Now both these little gems of ‘common ground’ were unknown to me but known to God. I smile as I think just how well God takes care of the details, bringing mentors and participants together. As for me, I have the privilege of playing my part.
Finding common ground is an authentic way to build rapport and open the door for richer and deeper conversations in due time. COACH Mentoring is an effective relational, gentle and respectful way to impact the lives of those who invite us to journey alongside them for a season.
Let me know if you would enjoy finding common ground with a family in need of friendship, care, and support. It might not be cats or horses that are your thing, but your ‘Matching Ceremony’ may change not only the life of your participant, but yours as well.
“Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings.” (I Corinthians 9:22-23, NLT).