Is It Time for Coaching?

Ken Blanchard, author of One Minute Manager, and Lead Like Jesus: Lessons from the Greatest Leadership Role Model of All Time? said, "I believe no matter how successful we are, we all need a coach to encourage us, to challenge us, to remind us to live up to our potential.”

There are times in ministry when clergy may desire to improve ministry skills, address specific issues, gain clarity of focus, and/or consider a new direction. One way to find assistance for such tasks is to utilize the services of a “coach.” The concept, a popular term in the corporate world, is gaining in popularity in the context of the church, due to the many challenges facing clergy today. Coaching offered by Four Seasons Ministry, is a method/process of helping church leaders reach their full potential in life and ministry.

What is coaching? Coaching involves utilizing the experience and expertise of a coach to address ministry issues in order to improve one’s ability to provide effective leadership. Usually the person desiring coaching seeks more knowledge, understanding, or clarity relating to identified issues or topics. It is based on an open, honest, trusting relationship between the coach and the one desiring assistance.

In coaching the coach offers guidance and suggests resources to help address identified concerns. The ultimate goal of coaching is to show you the way to improve your ministry service and to enable you to develop a sense of independence in addressing issues. Effective coaching relies on the willingness of the one desiring coaching to enter into a supportive relationship with the coach and to respond to the suggestions, directions, resources, and assigned tasks offered to encourage growth. Coaching focuses on helping you get from where you are to where you want to be, based on your stated expectations and goals, and provides a companion for a journey.

So, is it time for coaching? It may be time for coaching if ...

• you (or others) have identified issues or topics that you need to address in order to enable more effective ministry.
• you desire to improve your ministry skills and abilities.
• you are open to growth and change and willing to explore your potential.
• you need a safe environment and relationship to explore and work toward achieving more effective leadership.
• you are willing to set learning goals, strive toward fulfilling desired learning goals, and to be held accountable for accomplishing such tasks.
• and you are willing to complete a coaching assessment form and establish and honor a covenant for coaching.

If your response to these statements was “yes,” e-mail FGillis@fourseasonsministry.org or contact Rev. R. Franklin Gillis, Jr., D.Min., Ministry Consultant/Coach at 804-272-3313. For information regarding other services offered by Four Seasons Ministry, visit the Web: www.fourseasonsministry.org