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How to Get the Best Out of Coaching

By charlie worley
Most church leaders benefit greatly from coaching. Coaching can be a big help in bringing out the best in you. I can also be a way of helping you seek and find God's will in your thinking, planning, and execution of what the Lord has given you to accomplish, for He has prepared his plan to be worked out in your life as a believer (Eph. 2:10). So, how can you get the best out of coaching? This blog may give you some direction for answering this question.

Most church leaders benefit greatly from coaching. Coaching can be a big help in bringing out the best in you. I can also be a way of helping you seek and find God's will in your thinking, planning, and execution of what the Lord has given you to accomplish, for He has prepared his plan to be worked out in your life as a believer (Eph. 2:10). So, how can you get the best out of coaching? This blog may give you some direction for answering this question.

Pray and find a coach that is trained and skilled in the art of coaching and encouraging. Not anyone can coach you effectively, so choose wisely.

Remember that ministry coaching is about you and not about your coach. Coaching is not consulting or mentoring where your coach provides answers or examples for you. It is about you coming up with your own answers to questions that you or your coach ask, and then following through on applying your answers.

Be honest and transparent. Don't try to make yourself look good if you blew it.

Commit to a process of ministry coaching and building a relationship with the one to whom God leads you. Sure, coaching for a specific task may take only one conversation, but real benefit can come from seeking regular coaching conversations about your life and ministry over a lengthy season. In your first session, agree on a specific time commitment for a short or longer season of coaching.

Welcome any assignments that your coach gives you and complete them by the due date. You may need to ask for clarity on the what and why of coaching homework.

With the help of your coach, set specific goals for you to achieve. Use SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant to your mission, and Time-specific).

Pray for and during each coaching conversation. Be specific. And expect God to answer your prayers.

Keep notes during the coaching conversation. Record observations, prayer requests, assignments, victories, things that need work, coaching questions that you wish your coach had asked, and your next coaching date.

What else can you add to this list?

[Photo by Amy Hirschi on Unsplash]