A Coach Approach To Leading--Part 2

What is Coaching?

  • Coaching is a powerful form of confidential collaboration that follows a predictable process, produces desired results and creates learning for the person being coached.

  • Coaching is the art and practice of guiding a person or group from where they are toward the greater competence and fulfillment that they desire.  Christian coaches help move people from where they are to where they believe God wants them to be.” – Gary Collins, Christian Coaching

 What is the Coaching Process?

Coaching . . . .

  • Asks difficult questions in a kind and productive manner
  • Assists in identifying obstacles that are preventing you from moving toward goals
  • Reflects honest opinions
  • Helps you design your future
  • Holds you accountable to success
  • Is a place to turn when it’s accomplishment time.

(Christian Leadership Coaching)

 How Does A Coach Function?

A coach assumes that you already have the basic knowledge, skills and emotional stability to accomplish your goals.  Your coach will listen intently, ask clarifying questions, give honest feedback and hold you accountable to your vision.

The expert is YOU:

  • The wisdom is yours.
  • The decisions are yours.
  • The responsibility is yours.
  • The achievements are yours.

A coach will engage you in conversation by asking powerful questions in order to promote discovery for the person being coached. You will not be asked simple yes/no questions but open-ended questions.

The primary skill in coaching is the asking of powerful questions. If you look at Jesus’ style of teaching and leadership, he would often ask questions instead of giving answers.

Applying Coaching to Ministry

In a time of adaptive change, coaching may be a technique/skill among others that helps congregations and pastoral leaders be contextual and cultivate an atmosphere where God’s people can creatively imagine a missional future together.

A coach can help church leaders become more effective by helping with problem solving, pacing, change management, moral support and accountability.

If you are interested in coaching, contact your Region staff.

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This page was last updated on February 18, 2008