to have great experience and maturity enthusiastically volunteers. You
are unaware that she holds some theological positions and some views
about women and marriage that are not consistent with Scripture. She
is assigned to a young woman who, unknown to you, is having diffi-
culties in her marriage because she resists the idea of headship and
submission. Since such women who volunteer to be spiritual moth-
ers have received no training, guidelines, accountability structure, or
approved list of books to study, you have a disaster waiting to happen.
Fourth, careful and prayerful thought should be given to poten-
tial implications of a spiritual mothering program.
- How will spiritual mothers be selected?
- What accountability will spiritual mothers have and to whom?
- How can you avoid having young women disappointed because
their spiritual mothers never cultivate the relationship? - Who will monitor the program to see that it maintains its pur-
pose and integrity? - How will this program interface with the entire Christian edu-
cation program of the church?
Fifth, even if it is decided to have a formal spiritual mothering
program, women should be taught that this is to be a way of life and
that the Lord will guide many women into nurturing relationships
without the aid of a program. The legitimacy of these informal rela-
tionships should be highlighted and celebrated. The more a covenant
community understands that this is part and parcel of community life,
the less need there is for a formal program.
Sixth, spiritual mothering is not just a matter of chronological age.
Even if all of the women in the church are the same age, there will be
various levels of spiritual maturity and life experiences that equip
them to nurture one another.
Seventh, the Titus 2 mandate is not limited to married women.
Women should have a generational vision that includes singles, teens,
and even little girls. Covenant daughters should be taught biblical
womanhood by the women in the covenant community.
Eighth, if the elders and the women’s leadership team determine
that there is a need for a formal Titus 2 ministry, a subcommittee could
Older Women Mentoring Younger Women 187