| Schools, churches, and Christian organizations are calling for leadership. Seminaries play a key role in the leadership development process. While the advantages of mentoring have been identified in many fields, seminaries in Asia are yet to discover and utilize them.; The purpose of this study was to examine the mentoring perceptions and experiences of evangelical seminaries with regard to the following areas: (1) Roles, definitions, functions, and qualities of mentors. (2) The most important roles, functions, and qualities a mentor should have. (3) Ways in which mentors are influential in the proteges' personal growth and ministry commitment.; The subjects of this study were seminarians in four selected evangelical seminaries in the Philippines. Data were collected from interviews and checklist surveys.; Analysis of the data supported the following conclusions: (1) Mentor roles most frequently perceived were teacher, role model, advisor, counselor, and friend. The most important roles a mentor should have were identified as "role model" and "teacher." (2) The most important function of mentoring expressed by subjects was emotional support. (3) The respondents identified three areas of mentors' qualities. First were qualities related to personality traits, such as humble, patient, and having integrity. Second were those related to professional traits, such as disciplined, hard-working, experienced. Finally were those related to spirituality, such as prayerful, faithful, and dedicated. (4) Mentors significantly influenced the proteges' lives when they provided moral, emotional, or spiritual support. This support was especially significant in times of discouragement and failure. (5) This study also found that more females had mentor experience than males in the population studied.; While recognizing the importance of non-formal and interpersonal aspects of mentoring, the study recommends the provision of formal mentoring instruction for students and faculty members so that the purposes and relational aspects of mentorship could be better understood and utilized. Given the high view that Asian seminarians have with regard to the role of mentor as "teacher" and "role model," Christian educators should take the initiative to practice and model mentoring relationships, a more integrated personal and professional leadership development, to pass on who we are and what we do. |
