The Forum for Theological Exploration (FTE) has since 1954 supported young adults discerning a call to ministry. Through grants, fellowships, and gatherings connecting mentors and mentees, FTE has helped future generations of pastoral leaders find their vocations. Voices for Vocational Accompaniment is another tool to help support those who accompany discerning young adults.

This resource is presented in two main parts. The first section, Young Adult Reflections on Vocational Accompaniment, lifts up the voices of young adults in FTE’s network. Here they reflect on their experiences of being mentored and accompanied on their vocational discernment journey. Their contributions come in many forms, including essays, letters to their mentors, and poems. You will find that the diversity of formats matches the diversity of individuals and their experiences. The second section, Accompanying Change, features mentors and practitioners from FTE’s network of faith-based institutions and congregations. They share their reflections on perfected methodologies and proven practices in their accompaniment and mentoring ministries. Themes around storytelling, community, and identity rise up again and again.

Woven between each of these sections and concluding the resource are interviews from scholars, pastors, and sages. In 2017, FTE’s digital storyteller, Diva Morgan Hicks, sat down with Rev. Alisha Gordon, Dr. Gregory Ellison II, and Dr. Luther Smith to discuss mentoring. Each interview is a gift wrapped up in a quilt of experiences and stories; they are treasures for anyone who opens these pages and receives them.

This book is primarily designed as a guide for mentors in identifying key aspects of vocational accompaniment. However, any young adult in discernment who picks up these materials can easily glean a list of mentoring traits and qualities that they can use to identify a mentor-and to negotiate a meaningful relationship to accompany them on their vocational discernment journey.