Author: Kylie Brown

B OccThy, MDiv, MACMN Kylie currently teaches Christian Mentoring at postgraduate level alongside Peter Moore. -experience in a variety of ministry contexts both in volunteer and paid capacities. -has mentored women in the context of university ministry (AFES), church and theological study. -Currently overseeing a national network of Money Mentors for Christians Against Poverty (CAP Australia) As a former paediatric Occupational Therapist, current business owner, wife to Andrew (who is in full-time ministry) and Mum of school aged children, she brings rich life and ministry experience to her practice as a Christian mentor.
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Talking About Personal Finances With Your Mentoree

Depending on what sort of mentoring you do, the financial life of your mentee may or may not be a topic of conversation.

For those of us who mentor young adults just starting out in the world, finances often come up naturally—budgeting for the first time, learning how to save, or navigating debt. For those walking alongside people further down the road, it may not surface as often. And yet, for those mentoring people in Christian ministry, finances are frequently a source of stress. Living on a small budget is sometimes a reality, and money worries can become a hidden burden.

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Neurodiversity and Mentoring

Last November, Em and I led a Members’ Networking zoom on the topic of Neurodiversity and mentoring. This came about through our observation that awareness and diagnosis of neurodivergence, particularly Autism and ADHD, seems to be increasing. More broadly, there seems to be a moment happening in the media with several recent TV shows featuring neurodivergence.  I’ve enjoyed watching shows like Love on the Spectrum and Austin. Aside from this moment in the media, I have a couple of friends recently receive diagnoses of ADHD as adults. I have family members on the autism spectrum and who have dyslexia and dyscalculia. I’ve also had a mentoree who I’ve been walking with over the last few years as she’s travelled the ADHD diagnosis journey.

Now as Em and I were discussing how to approach this topic, she reminded me of the very helpful phrase “Nothing about us without us”. Continue reading “Neurodiversity and Mentoring”

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Embracing Doubt in Christian Mentoring

Have you ever had a mentoree struggling with just not being as ‘sure’ in their Christian convictions as they once were? The label ‘deconstruction’ gets thrown about with alarm by some and is used to describe developments further along this continuum that could lead to people taking a break, or even leaving faith communities.

One the things we can do as mentors in this space is to normalise doubt. In popular opinion, doubt might be the opposite to faith. Not so in the life of many who persevere in the Christian life. For some doubt isn’t just a fleeting experience, but a longer term companion spurring deeper searching. Continue reading “Embracing Doubt in Christian Mentoring”

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Money Mentoring: a new model for Christians Against Poverty

At the ACMN, we know that mentoring is a ministry that enables profound transformation. Over the last few years, Christians Against Poverty (CAP) has come to that realisation as well. 

You may already be familiar with the work of CAP. CAP is a charity that started in the UK but has been operating in Australia for over 20 years, well known for the CAP Money Course and church based Debt Centres. As CAP is committed to stewarding the generosity of supporters well, the ministry needed to innovate to ensure that the Church could be inspired and equipped to help more people in financial distress and see the transformation of individuals, communities and the Church as a whole. Through extensive research in the financial hardship sector and by questioning what the Church is uniquely able to offer in that space, a model involving Christian Mentoring was identified as the way forward. CAP reached out to the ACMN and consulted with a number of other mentors to develop a new model – Money Mentoring.  

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Ms Represented and the Fatherhood of God


Women, anger and the Fatherhood of God

Have you watched Ms Represented[1] on the ABC?  It’s a documentary series on the history of women in politics in Australia and I would highly recommend it to both men and women.  It made me rejoice as I thanked God for the people who fought hard so that I can vote.  It also made me furious at the misogyny that women in the house of representatives still live with.  You will be aware of the recent avalanche of stories about gendered sexual violence. Christian Porter, Brittany Higgins and Grace Tame are just a few of the names making headlines in this area as perpetrators are being called to account.  Yet there is another, related narrative, that it is men who are under attack.  The criticism of ‘toxic masculinity’ has been perceived in some circles as a judgement that all masculinity is toxic.  How do we speak about a God who reveals himself as Father through the Son when these masculine terms themselves are cause for suspicion by some? 

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