Barnabas File

We often talk about the value of coaches and mentors in professional development but give little attention to the value of peers in helping us achieve what we are seeking.   In The Career Game Loop , author Jessica Lindl emphasizes the importance of peers to our development.  They can be older, younger, or the same age.  The key is that you share a desire to learn and grow, and you are willing to make a mutual commitment to the relationship.  Peers can provide both accountability and inspiration.    Peers can hold each other accountable by giving attention to the following:   Setting goals.  We can share with our peer where we are and where we want to be, then articulating both specific goals and timelines to achieve them.   Sharing progress. We need to keep in touch regularly with our peer to motivate us to make headway between conversations.   Asking for feedback.  Questions and feedback from a peer can he...

Old Testament Reading: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, NIV   9  Two are better than one,     because they have a good return for their labor: 10  If either of them falls down,     one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls     and has no one to help them up. 11  Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.     But how can one keep warm alone? 12  Though one may be overpowered,     two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.   New Testament Reading: 2 Corinthians 3:11, NIV   11  Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.     Sometimes we must unlearn old things so that we can learn new things.   One of the things I had to unlearn was that scripture ...

As we consider the work of professional coaches during International Coaching Week, we have the opportunity to consider how coaching principles can also be applied by non-professionals in the life of the church. Reggie McNeal has pointed out in Missional Renaissance that “Genuine spirituality lives and flourishes only in cultures and relationships of accountability.”  Most faith communities, however, do not provide these accountability structures.  Perhaps we fear someone dictating behavior and standards that may be uncomfortable to us, but when we find ourselves in times of stress, the church is often the first place we go for help.  We need to provide accountability structures for individuals that will help them prepare for and overcome the stresses of life as well as opportunities for spiritual development and service. One way that a church can do this is by training their members in Disciple Development Coaching©.   Developed by Pinnacle Leadership ...