What is Coaching? Coaching is an ongoing conversation that empowers you to fully live out your calling – in every area of your life. The goal of coaching is for you to listen to God, discover new things about yourself, and take action to reshape your life around that learning. The coaching relationship is expected to produce insights, greater personal awareness, changed behaviors, actions, and ultimately results that satisfy the client. Much is expected of you as the client: to evaluate, reason, imagine, decide, and implement the actions you want to take.

Coaching is about you – your goals, your learning, and your growth. Together, you and your coach will listen to hear God's voice and draw out thoughts, desires and action steps to acccomplish the vision, goals and dreams He has placed in you. Coaching is about learning – rather than teaching. Coaching is a client-led process. Your coach uses coaching techniques such as active listening, open questions, encouragement, challenging a bit, and always remaining supportive - all to assist you in discovering insights and taking next steps. Coaching is about you taking action on the insight and awareness you gain from the coaching process. During each session, you will determine 1-3 actions steps you will take before meeting again for the next session. You may be surprised how quickly you progress toward your goals. Coaching is about all of you, not just your work or ministry. It encompasses the whole person. Changing old habits and thought patterns can be challenging. Your coach recognizes these patterns and will support you as you learn, grow and experience transformation.

It’s not therapy. Although many of the communication techniques are the same, like active listening, reflecting, use of questions, limited advice giving, etc., therapy focuses on the past to bring healing and unblock a person to move ahead. Coaching is future and action-oriented, for people who are basically clear of psychological and emotional issues.

It’s not mentoring. Mentors are experts in a particular field who seek to pass on their expertise to another. Mentors provide knowledge, advice, guidance, correction, and encouragement to people who are newer and junior by experience. They may use some coaching techniques, but mentors usually play the roles of advisor and teacher to guide and impart knowledge and wisdom.

It’s not training. In training, the trainer sets the agenda. Change comes from outside the participant, via the trainer. In coaching, you set the agenda. Coaches use adult learning principles of self-discovery to motivate change from within you.

It’s not authoritarian. Did you have a tough sports coach who used to yell at you and make you do a million push-ups if you made a mistake? That’s not coaching. Your coach will push you beyond what you might think you can do, but will always be supportive. You are in control. The responsibility to decide and act is yours.

Why Does Coaching Work? Coaching works because it brings out your best – what God put in you! Coaches believe you can create your own best answers and are trained to support you in that process. Specifically, this is what your coach will do during coaching sessions:

Listen. Your story is central. Coaches fully engage in what you are saying. They also listen to Holy Spirit and encourage you to do the same.

Ask questions. Coaches use questions to stimulate deep thinking, inspiration and creativity. Questions are about possibilities and the future.

Encourage. Everyone needs encouragements, and usually we don’t get enough. Your coach will hold up your vision, note your progress, and applaud your efforts, while encouraging you to keep moving forward.

Facilitate while letting you lead. Coaches facilitate your learning and problem solving. Yet, they are never fully leading – you are, with your agenda and your approach to getting the results you want.

Why Use a Coach?

“You will never maximize your potential in any area without coaching. It is impossible. You may be good. You may even be better than everyone else. But without outside input you will never be as good as you could be.” —Andy Stanley, The Next Generation

The reasons people want coaching are endless, and as unique as the person. Here are a few examples that motivate people to use a coach:

Exercise: Write down the things from the above list that you desire.

How is Christian coaching unique?

Coaches, Christian or not, use many of the same communication tools. Proverbs 20:5 says, "The purpose in a man’s heart is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out." A Christian coach brings Biblical values, wisdom and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit to ask the right questions to draw new insights and awareness to you, the client. During the coaching session, it is important for you to perceive God's gentle leading and direction regarding your goals, actions and next steps. Your coach will support and encourage you to gain new awareness, insight and understanding throughout the coaching process.