By Dino Senesi
“Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:13 ESV).
Ridesharing describes a wave of new businesses where a person uses their personal automobile to help someone get somewhere. Most of us think of sports when we hear the word coach. But when you think of a church planter coach, think ridesharing. Here is a simple definition: coaching is a vehicle to help people get to the place where God wants them.
A coach helps you get to God’s destination in your life and ministry. Has coaching become a new wave meant to replace learning best practices and proven formulas?
Absolutely not. Coaching builds on this valuable information to help a church planter process, implement and be accountable for what he is learning. We say it this way: Great coaches help leaders turn truth into action.
Inside the Car
Coaching is a relationship that involves intentional, ongoing conversations. The value of coaching increases based on two important factors: how many conversations you have and how often you have them.
We prescribe a one-hour conversation, twice a month, for four consecutive months. Random conversations with a great coach a few times a year would not be as valuable as consistent meetings. Think of church planter coaching as one conversation in eight scheduled installments. A coach rides alongside a church planter offering great questions, encouragement and feedback like: “Look at what God is doing through you and around you.” “Way to go!” “Watch out!”
Here are four simple ways a coach helps:
|
Function |
Benefit |
Question |
|
Processing |
Clarity |
Where do you need to go next? |
|
Planning |
Action |
How do you need to get there? |
|
Assessing |
Discovery |
What do you need? Who can help you? |
|
Debriefing |
Accountability |
How is your plan working? |
Planters Affirm the Value of Coaching
Church planters are discovering how valuable coaching can be amidst the multiple challenges of living out their calling:
My coach helps me by encouraging me, helping me to set goals, developing strategies, evaluating effort and staying focused.
– Derrick Wilhelmus, The Bridge
I have so many different voices speaking to me as a church planter … It’s refreshing to be able to stand back and evaluate what they are saying and what direction I need
to take to honour the Lord and what He is saying to me through all of this!
– Terry Branscombe, The Refuge
Iron sharpens iron: coaching has sharpened my focus on fulfilling the vision God has given me as a church planter on Vancouver Island.
– Matthew Bond, Ekklesia Baptist Church
Dino Senesi is the director of coaching for the Send Network at the North American Mission Board.
*This article originally posted in Horizon, the publication of the Canadian National Baptist Convention. Learn more about Horizon here.
Published March 14, 2017