Could it Be the Church’s “Most Crucial Ministry?”
Over the past year, I’ve had far more, shall we say, “conversations” with health professionals than I would like. I’ve had more examinations, tests, blood work, etc than I ever thought possible. Doctors have worked hard for my health, not only endeavoring to find and fix my problems, but to help me build well and wisely for a lifetime of healthy living. In other words, their focus is not just on stopping my pain or correcting a problem, but it is on helping me build a lifestyle that will see me walking long and strong in health – for my sake and for the sake of those who love me and want me in their lives.
Conversations. Tests. Work. Build. Well. Wisely. Lifetime. Health. For Me. For Others.
Same subject, but different context: consider this quote by renowned coach and counselor, Dr. Gary Collins:
“Coaching can help people make decisions, evaluate their lifestyles, build new boundaries into their lives, reconnect with God, and feel hope again. I can’t think of a more needed service in our culture today or a more crucial ministry for the church.” Gary Collins
Journey Pastoral Coaching focuses on Millennial ministers. We have walked with some of our members on a bi-weekly basis since the official beginning of this ministry two and one-half years ago. We have walked with a handful of our members even longer.
Using regularly scheduled telephone calls, specially arranged calls, Facetime, Skype, texting, other social media apps and even the old school “face-to-face” conversation, we journey together on a regular and frequent basis: the pastoring of pastors and missionaries is virtually non-stop.
You may be asking yourself, “What do they find to talk about?” “Can pastors and missionaries really have so many problems that they need bi-weekly problem-solving sessions for years and years?”
And there is the problem: a misunderstanding of what pastoral coaching really is and what it really does.
People often equate pastoral coaching and pastoral counseling, thinking it is a tool that helps ministers “fix” problems. Even those whom we coach can sometimes slip into this mistake, calling the coach more regularly when life and ministry are less than wonderful, calling the coach less regularly when life and ministry are more than wonderful.
But coaching is not about fixing and it’s not about problems. Yes, problems and fixes come up and are discussed, but coaching is much, much more.
Coaching is not so much about fixing as it is about building.
Coaching is not so much about problems as it is about people.
Pastoral coaching is about building people. Pastoral coaches help ministers build themselves, and so, their ministries, strong in Christ for a lifetime of healthy and effective ministry.
And the building – the impact – doesn’t stop with the minister. Like a pebble dropping into the center of a pond, the impact radiates ever outward – not only to the edge of the minister’s life and ministry, but again and again in and through the life ponds of those whom ministers lead.
It’s true: pastoral coaching is much, much more than problem solving; it’s people building that begins with the minister and missionary and ends who knows where!
“It’s the coach’s job to help people clarify, to see through stuff, and help them become who they really are.” Daniel H. Pink
Help. Grow. Clarify. See. Become. These are just a few of the benefits of pastoral coaching.
So whether life and ministry are going poorly or they are going well, this is the perfect time to call your pastoral coach and get on track for a regular and frequent journey with him or her.
If you are a minister of the Gospel and you are not currently walking with a pastoral coach, we earnestly recommend you do so. To help you in your search, we recommend clicking on the link and reading our article “How to Find the Right Pastoral Coach for You.” We also invite you to click and subscribe to our twice-monthly blogs at journeypastoralcoaching.com
“Coaches help people grow. They help people see beyond what they are today to what they can become tomorrow.” James A. Belasco
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Saddled with large student debt, just beginning to set up homes and start families, and serving in low paying first and second positions, Millennials are those who most desire but can least afford to pay for pastoral coaching.
We are able to do so thanks to the faithful and generous support of individuals and churches like yours who want to see young leaders not only enter the ministry, but remain in the ministry.
Now, more than ever, we need your help.
If you or your church would like to help Millennial ministers across the US and overseas build strong for a lifetime in ministry, please click here to support Journey monthly or with your one-time gift. Thank you.
We also invite you to click and subscribe to our twice-monthly blogs at journeypastoralcoaching.com
