Jesus cultivated and nurtured his intimacy with the Father, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed (Mark 1:35). He also had a vision, a mission, and a strategy for ministry. His vision was the Kingdom of God. His mission was to seek and to save the lost (Luke 19:10), and his strategy: Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people (Matthew 4:23).
As ministers, the life source for our ministry is our personal and intimate relation with God. We also need an intentional strategy for our ministry and leadership in the church. One of the best resources available to us is a coach.
What Is the Value of Coaching to Ministers?
As ministers, we are serving in a time when the denominational program structure is diminishing; the culture is undergoing discontinuous change; estimates saying upwards of 85% of congregations are in decline; and there is widespread sentiment among people who want nothing to do with the “institutional church.” Yet, clergy are being held responsible for church growth and financial security.
Being in ministry necessitates a radical trust in the call of God and the leadership of the Holy Spirit. It’s not a time to go it alone. In such a dynamic context, a coach serves as a neutral third-party to offer support, encouragement, feedback, and assistance for you to prayerfully think through your approach to ministry, resulting in strategic goals and next steps to make your ministry most effective. This is of value to congregations, clergy, and church leaders to be on the missional cutting edge.
What Is Leadership Coaching?
For clergy and church leaders, coaching is for your personal and ministerial development, focusing on leadership skills and processes to enhance the missional effectiveness of your ministry. Leadership coaching is an ongoing, intentional and relational conversation regarding you and your ministry. The coach facilitates the process through thought-provoking questions, encouragement, and feedback. You set the agenda to discuss what the growing edges and challenges are for you in ministry. You are respected by the coach as the God-called person in your ministry setting with the spiritual gifts, awareness, and spiritual intuition to move the body of Christ forward on mission. The coach does not pretend to know what is best in your situation. The coach serves as a thought partner, coaxing your potential to become strategic in setting goals, identifying resources and obstacles, and determining next steps to accomplish your mission. Coaching is in the context of prayerful spiritual discernment.
What Value Would Coaching Be to You To:
- get unstuck in your ministry?
- move from a maintenance mode to a missional mode?
- implement a style of leadership that people will appreciate?
- be respected as the person called of God to your ministry situation?
- have someone with whom you can discuss your ministry situation who would be an objective third party and where all information is kept in professional confidentiality?
- have someone who genuinely listens to you without judgment or trying to fix you, and lets you set the agenda for what needs to be discussed?
- have a companion who is on your side for the success of your ministry in the Kingdom of God?
- have someone who can assist you in being more focused and intentional about your ministry goals and objectives?
- have someone who helps you think through your ministry so that it is line with your passions and calling?
For more information on Leadership Coaching, go to http://www.transformyourministry.com/coaching/
Rev. Larry Glover-Wetherington is a partner with the Barnabas Partnership and a Board Certified Coach. If you are interested in a trial period of coaching, please call 919-564-6061.