We answer a lot of questions with “Yes, but . . .” or “No, however we understand . . .” But on this one, it’s a hard no. Radical Mentoring is a resource to activate men in your church (Titus2 Mentoring Women has a similar resource for women). Much of what makes Radical Mentoring work so well is the transparency and vulnerability that is cultivated in groups when guys are fully open and honest with their stories and their lives. The realistic likelihood of this happening with both genders in the room is much less.

Men and women deal with different issues, come at things differently. Which can make for great discussion and lead to personal growth, so there are certainly places for and benefits to co-ed small groups, but the intentional small group mentoring isn’t it. With mentoring groups, we have a limited amount of time and want to dive deep quickly and mixed gender groups are conducive to that.