If I'm honest, I had doubts... do you?
It's been a while since Eric and I did a Coaching workshop live, and to be honest we have had some difficult experiences. Once, while leading a workshop I was invited to teach at, I had leaders questioning me about the method - right during the session - and, you know, I get it. It is a radical shift in thinking for a leader.
They were used to leaders being "in charge" of their people's spiritual growth. They felt it was abdicating responsibility to leave people to own their own choices.
So, knowing we were going to a Latin culture where leadership is traditionally more top-down I had my doubts as to how we would be received (just in case you did not know, Eric and I just got back from a mission trip to Costa Rica where we did a coaching workshop hosted by Alex Dienner.)
But our reception, and their connection, were a welcomed breath of fresh air for all of us!
Hebrews 8 and 10 talks about the New Covenant that Jesus made possible. We now have direct access to the Holy Spirit and God wants us to learn to interact with Him personally and help others to do the same.
In Costa Rica we worked with a small group of national pastors, missionaries, and lay people - and each of them really got it.
Here are a few comments that stand out to me:
"Learning about Active Listening, I can see now that I have not been serving people. I've just been waiting for them to finish what they were saying while nodding my head up and down, but not really listening. People need to be heard."
"You said leaders have three choices, they can carry people (not healthy or sustainable), they can push people (not kind and infantizing), or they can help them grow and choose wisely. I think there is a fourth option. They can abandon them. That's what I have been doing. I have been teaching, but not truly connecting and helping them on their journey."
One more,
"As I work with victims of sexual abuse, I see now that the coaching paradigm is just what I need to empower them to move forward. They don't need to be freeze-framed as a victim of their past, they can move into the future God has for them."
What a privilege to be able to serve these front-line ministers. These people are making disciples in everyday life scenarios. Thank you to those of you who prayed for the seminar and please continue to join me in prayer for kingdom expansion in Costa Rica.
If you've taken coach training - how are you doing using the principles?
If you haven't yet - is it time to consider saving your seat for the next cohort? Or maybe just invest in the video course?
I'd love to hear your thoughts on how coaching has affected your life and ministry, or where you would love to know if coaching could help. Leave a comment or send a reply!?