16. Coaching Makes Everyone Better
16. Coaching Makes Everyone Better
Why you need a coach.
Everyone needs one hand up and one hand down. One hand up to a Paul and one hand down to a Timothy. One hand up to someone who is coaching you, investing in you and one hand down where you are passing on the blessing, investing in someone else. When this happens, everyone is being cared for by somebody and nobody is being neglected.
Every world class athlete has a coach to help them stay focused on the disciplines that are necessary to succeed. Today every CEO has a business coach. Every sports team has a coach, or there would be chaos and underperformance and few wins.
Today there are spiritual life coaches who can help people develop the spiritual disciplines necessary to grow to spiritual maturity in Christ. In our world today, these coaches might even be located in another country, while connecting over Skype or FaceTime, while using Trello or Slack.
The Internet has removed many of the barriers of the past so there is no excuse for leading without accountability. I’m coaching a longterm missionary in Slovenia on how to coach other missionaries in his network of relationships, who need accountability and encouragement.
Small group leaders need someone to encourage them when there are challenges in the group. A coach assists with problem solving, helping to navigate the inevitable challenges that go with leading a group of people.
Small group leaders need a listening ear, knowing that they are not alone, there is someone available for counsel when there is confusion on what to do.
The Bible says, “With much counsel there is wisdom.”
You might have an awkward personality in your group and you aren’t sure how to deal with it without harming the person or the group. Talk to your coach. You aren’t sure what curriculum would be best for the next season? Talk to your coach. There is conflict between two people in the group? Talk to your coach. A marriage is struggling in your group? Talk to your coach. You have a potential new leader in your group? Talk to your coach about developing next steps.
Coaches are important to tell you to get some rest when you are overworked, headed for burnout and neglecting the spouse and family.
A coach will also push you when you are getting lazy and need a swift kick in the pants.
In my opinion, providing a team of coaches who shepherd the small group leaders is the most strategic thing any church can do to prevent burnout and insure an ongoing ever-expanding small group ministry. Unfortunately, few churches see this need and they pay dearly in leader fallout.
A coach has experience to help leaders find creative ways to help the group connect with one another, to help people connect with God and connect with their Divine purpose.
The most important change agent in any group is not the curriculum, but the leader. As the leader goes, so goes the group. The coach is there to help the leader to continue to grow and develop spiritually, so that the group members are drinking from a running spring, not a stagnant pond.
Jesus never wrote a book or curriculum, his primary focus of investment was in people who could provide the leadership necessary for the church to flourish after he left earth.
A coach helps the leader stay focused on progress through accountability by asking:
- How are you personally?
- What are you celebrating?
- What challenges are you facing?
- How will you tackle those challenges?
- How can I help?
- How can I pray for you?
Next: Group Cancers
Don’t skip this strategic message…
OK, who is your coach? Don’t you dare try to lead alone…
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