I've been in a handful of conversations over the past year about the benefits of coaching in the local church. I've been curious about the role it plays or could play in discipleship of individuals. I've asked:
- How is it different from counseling?
- Is it the same as mentoring?
- Is it just a "safe" word to help us get around the baggage that comes with words like "discipling" or "accountability?"
- What role might it play in unleashing the untapped potential that exists in every Christ-follower in the local church?
I met Jane Creswell nearly two years ago when we shared the platform at a conference in North Carolina. A former manager of product development at IBM, she also started IBM's Coaches Network. She is the founder of Internal Impact, a consulting and coaching service to corporations world-wide. Jane is a corporate coach who trains corporate coaches. Her story is inspiring and her experience is impressive (see Time Magazine, CareerLab, HR Magazine). Not only is she a world-class expert in corporate America, she's seen the benefits of coaching in the local church as well. Her paradigm for coaching stems completely from a Christ-center, from the potential and calling within the great commandment and the great commission.
From Jane's book, Christ-Centered Coaching, here's a sample of some "coaching questions" from the scriptures. Keep in mind that coaching questions are aimed at discovery and choice of the person being coached.
- You are wonderfully made - Psalm 139.14-16
- Question: How can more of your "wonderfulness" be lived out?
- God gave humans dominion over all the earth - Genesis 1.28-30
- Question: What would it look like for you to demonstrate "dominion" in your current challenge?
- God will renew a right spirit within you - Psalm 51.10
- Question: What would it take for you to adopt God's new perspective on this topic?
How might these kinds of questions, centered around Christ, and targeted to help individuals own their journey with Him, enhance growth and focus among our people? Throughout the rest of the year I'll be studying, reading, and engaging conversations to understand and cultivate these kinds of relationships in the local church.
I'd love to hear from you if...
- You've been the direct benefactor of Christ-centered, discovery-based coaching
- You're also exploring a similar approach to discipleship and relational growth in the local church
- You're using any form of coaching in your local church ministry
- You'd like to engage the conversation somewhere in the next several months
Thanks, Jane, for your life work in this critical area. And thanks for giving us one more handle on discipleship.
