Mentors / Supervisors
How it works
Mentors and supervisors in VST’s Theological Field Education (TFE) program are lay, ordered, or ordained individuals with at least five years of pastoral experience. They support and guide students during their ministry placements, accompanying them as they face new challenges in both church and society.
Although the terms “mentor” and “supervisor” are often used interchangeably, they emphasize slightly different aspects of the role.
-
Mentor highlights relational guidance and character formation.
-
Supervisor emphasizes practical expertise and formal recognition within a faith community or community organization.
Mentors and supervisors meet with students weekly or biweekly to support theological reflection on ministry experiences. These sessions provide space for compassionate listening, thoughtful questioning, and practical guidance.
They also work closely with students to develop clear learning goals through the Learning Covenant and help students remain accountable to those goals. Ongoing, timely, and constructive feedback is an essential part of this role.
Additional resources and frequently asked questions are available to support mentors and supervisors in carrying out their responsibilities.
Resources for Mentors / Supervisors
This section offers guidance and support for mentors and supervisors involved in theological field education. It explores the role, responsibilities, and opportunities of mentoring—highlighting practices such as constructive feedback, theological reflection, and encouragement to nurture student growth in ministry.
Further resources can be found under the Resources tab.
Description of the Mentor/Supervisor Role
Vancouver School of Theology is indebted to ministry leaders in congregations and organizational leaders in social agency placements who volunteer their services as mentors/supervisors of students in their field placements.
LEARN MOREMentor and Supervisor Responsibilities and Opportunities
Mentors and supervisors, once matched and confirmed, enter a collaborative relationship with students focused on regular reflection, support, and feedback within VST’s guidelines.
LEARN MOREWhat does the role of mentor/supervisor involve?
Guiding students through reflective learning and leadership development, offering support and resources, engaging in mutual discernment, and fulfilling agreed-upon responsibilities and reporting within the framework of the Learning Covenant.
LEARN MORE
Answers to Mentors/Supervisors FAQs
If a conflict emerges in my field education, what do I do?
If any part of the teaching, learning or evaluation process breaks down, the Director of Theological Field Education must be notified immediately. Upon notification, a consultative process will be initiated to resolve the differences or to terminate the field placement agreement.What is expected of the mentor?
The single most important expectation of the mentor is an understanding and a commitment to the goals of The Studio. If you and the Theological Field Education Director are confident of this, ask the mentor to fill out the appropriate documentation, which outlines further related expectations and include this in your TFE Proposal document.
Rev. Shannon Tenant's experience as a supervisor
For Shannon, a call to ministry often requires a significant leap of trust—one that carries us through the nebulous spaces of uncertainty, where answers emerge slowly as we walk in deep connection with our hearts and with God.
In her experience, teaching students at the beginning and throughout their ongoing journey of forming an articulated theological understanding reveals a profound challenge many ministers face: grounding their identity as ministers and learning to lead from the heart—rooted in who they are and in who they are called to be through their service.
Preaching regularly within a congregation, getting to know the community, and facing the difficult questions people carry—as she has witnessed through her students—is not only a way of learning, hands-on, how to humbly shape a theological approach grounded in real life. It is also a path that invites ministers to embrace the challenge of expressing their theology in ways that comfort and speak to the hearts of others.