Barnabas File

In my conversations with coaches, I sometimes ask the question, “What does your ideal client look like?”  There are various responses, but as I consider the questions myself, here are some client characteristics that will benefit the coaching conversation.   I would like the client to be honest in our conversation. This does not require complete transparency, but the more that the client feels free to share with me, the more it benefits them.  My role as a coach is provide a safe space where the client feels free to share and reflect.     Self-awareness on the part of the client is important.  The person being coached must be willing to question their own assumptions.  A goal in coaching is to help the client learn how to ask questions of themselves; this self-reflection is also an indication of growing emotional intelligence.   I hope my client will be forgiving.  Sometimes I miss the mark on a question.  I...

Diagram courtesy of Pinnacle Leadership Associates In a previous blog post, I introduced a new process for churches titled Crossing Thresholds developed by colleague Mark Tidsworth (see diagram) and discussed the value of developing a vision statement as part of “Aligning Church Expectations.”   Developing a vision statement is the first part of this step; the second part is putting it into action.  Most members, especially those who have invested themselves in the process of “Crossing Thresholds”, will be energized by the vision.  They will see this as the next logical step in the life of the church and step forward to make it a reality.  However, some will start to realize that “Adjusting Church Rhythms” (a previous step) may be necessary to achieve the vision, and they make not be comfortable with these changes.   Some changes that might need to be implemented to pursue a new vision could be one or more of the following:   Changing worship...

Diagram courtesy of Pinnacle Leadership Associates In a previous blog post, I introduced a new process for churches titled Crossing Thresholds developed by colleague Mark Tidsworth (see diagram).    One of the steps is “Aligning Church Expectations.”   If you think that the context in which your church ministers has not changed in the last 10 years, you must have been of the country for an extended vacation or work assignment.  The opportunities and challenges that every church faces today are vastly different than they were just a short time ago.   Without belaboring the point, there have been social changes (such as the COVID pandemic), technological changes (hello, social media and Artificial Intelligence), economic changes (and lowered expectations among young adults for a life even as good as that of their parents), and political changes (provide your own comment here).   If we are realistic, our cultural context impacts the vision if not the miss...

Courtesy of Pinnacle Leadership Associates Friend and colleague Mark Tidsworth is rolling out a new process for churches titled Crossing Thresholds.     In a nutshell, Mark is designing a way for churches to identify the “invisible barriers” to a church’s missional movement, changing those to “thresholds for crossing.” He states, “Once a threshold is crossed, churches and their leaders experience relief and release, moving into new seasons of freedom with ease of movement.”    Part of this process is a design of six steps for creating a strategy to cross thresholds (see diagram). From time to time, I will take the opportunity here to comment on some of the thoughts these steps provoke for me.  Please note these are my responses and do not necessarily reflect Mark’s thinking!   One of the dynamics that Mark addresses is Identity and Deconstruction.  One strategy step is “Collective Exploration.”   For me, an essential key for co...

Author Joe Lalley got my attention at once in his new book Question to Learn:  How Curiosity Can Transform Your Career, Team, and Organization because he combines two things that I have found transformative:  design thinking and coaching.     The book integrates the design thinking approach of starting with the customer, prototyping, and improving the idea or product into something that serves the customer’s need with the coaching concept of asking “powerful questions” that draw upon the client’s own expertise and experience to chart a new way forward.   Lalley writes, “This is book is for the community of the curious—a community where questions from professionals at all levels are celebrated, not discouraged.”  His illustrates this well with two individuals he has encountered in his life.  One is Steve, the software expert, who comes into a meeting providing the answer to your problem without even knowing what you need. ...

When we present our “elevator speech” about coaching, are we drawing the circle too small? In promoting coach training, I have often referred to the process as “an additional tool in your ministry toolbox.” As I talked with a ministry leader recently about coach training for his denomination, I realized that coaching is much more than simply a skill. I needed to enlarge my perspective and see coaching in a new light.   First, it is a biblical approach to developing disciples.  We believe that each person is “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14) and is unique in the sight of God. Because of this, each of us has a special calling, one that can be discerned through interaction with a coach. As believers, we are also commanded to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 3:18, NIV). Entering the life of faith is just the beginning because we are invited into a process of lifelong learning and serving. This journey can be facilitated ...