Coaching in the Church

When we consider New Testament scriptures relating to the work of the church, we usually interpret the terms applied to leadership as specific offices when we should actually think of them as functions. For example, consider Ephesians 4:11-12 in The Message translation:

“He handed out gifts of apostle, prophet, evangelist, and pastor-teacher to train Christ’s followers in skilled servant work, working within Christ’s body, the church, until we’re all moving rhythmically and easily with each other, efficient and graceful in response to God’s Son, fully mature adults, fully developed within and without, fully alive like Christ.”

What we interpret as offices are really gifts that have a function in the Body of Christ to develop or equip mature believers. These various gifts embody some of the skills we use in coaching, walking beside people as they discover, define, and pursue what God has in store for them.

We are seeing these coaching skills being used in many ways within churches and denominations today.

In denominational networks, coaches are being provided for church planters, young leaders, individuals wishing to improve their financial literacy, and congregational leaders. Pinnacle Leadership Associates is currently working with the Wisconsin Conference of the United Church of Christ to train pastor/coaches who will train other pastors to encourage one another and to coach laity within their congregations.

In congregations, both external and internal coaches are at work. More congregations see the value of providing a professional coach for the pastor and other clergy leaders for personal, spiritual, and professional growth. The return on this investment is healthier pastors, healthier congregations, and increased pastoral longevity.

Both clergy and laity are being trained to use coaching skills to encourage and equip people in the church. In January, I had the opportunity to provide training in Disciple Development Coaching© to the deacons of Freemason Baptist Church in Norfolk, Virginia. They will use these skills in member assimilation, disciple formation, and group leadership.

Many seminaries and theological schools are making coach training a part of their curricula or integrating coaching into their courses. In the Doctor of Ministry in Creative Leadership degree at Central Baptist Theological Seminary, both coaching and mentoring are addressed in the course “Understanding Yourself and Others.” The seminary is also providing coaching in its Economics of Ministry emphasis.

Coaching is an effective process to encourage and equip leaders in the Body of Christ to become “fully mature adults, fully developed within and without, fully alive like Christ.”

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