The Power of Coaching for Spiritual Growth

Simple Discipleship Coaching Model

Until recently the word coaching was instantly connected to some area of sports, but that has changed. Today the term “coaching” is applied to many areas of everyday life. In the secular realm one may hire a life, executive, business, wellness, etiquette, marriage, spiritual, and of course, sports coach. However, the church has been slow to move toward this popular method of equipping. In 2001 Gary Collins expressed concern that while coaching was the “hottest” new profession in America, virtally no churches were using it (Christian Coaching, 15). In 2003 Reggie McNeal recommended that churches provide life coaching for spiritual formation (The Present Future, 77). It is now 2008, and only a few churches provide any kind of coaching ministry. I believe churches should establish Christian coaching ministries as a means of equipping for spiritual formation and life. Christian coaching ministries should be in the discipleship “department” and not a part of the conseling ministry.

So what is the difference between coaching, counseling, and mentoring as applied to discipleship or spiritual growth?

• Coaching forms a partnership that seeks to empower and equip the coachee to achieve greater competence and growth in areas they desire. The coachee is essentially healthy and able to work with the coach to develop a plan for growth.
• Counseling usually involves some area of disorder, pathology, or dysfunction that essentially disables the counselee in one or more areas of life. The counselor tends to set the agenda and plan for counseling.
• Mentoring begins with a clear and set agenda for the mentee or protege. The mentor tends to serve as a supervisor of the training by sort of looking over the shoulder ot the protege.

Using the Simple Discipleship Coaching Model a coach may lead a Christian of any level of maturity to greater spiritual growth. Space and time on this blog does not allow for a full explanation of how it works, but suffice it to say that it is a values-based growth model. Values-based coaching is most effective as the coach seeks to identify and differentiate the real core values as opposed to aspirational values. People do what they truly believe. For instance, people say they believe it is their duty to share their faith, but cannot recall when they did so, do not really value sharing their faith. OUCH! Stright forward, but true. The coach seeks to help the coachee see herself as she really is, define what needs to change, set goals for change, and then empower change. Simple Discipleship coaching alligns real values to life beginning with the heart, head, hands, and habits- a model made popular by Ken Blanchard in Lead Like Jesus. However, SD developes the LLJ model further and applies it to the cross.

I have used values-based coaching with executives, health-care personnel, and others to lead them to achieve greater balance, function, and profitablility in life. I have also used the SD values-based coaching process to move people to greater spiritual maturity. Without fail, every person with whom I have worked who “did the homework” achieved their goals and more. Encourage your church to learn more about Christian coaching for spiritual growth and ministry development.

Blessings,

Dr. Tom Cocklereece

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