“The purposes of a man’s heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out,” writes Solomon in Proverbs 20:5
That’s the role of a coach: to be that person of understanding who draws out the purposes of another’s heart. Coaching is the process of coming alongside someone to help them discover God’s agenda for their life and ministry, and then cooperating with the Holy Spirit to see that agenda become a reality. Coaches focus their energy on helping others succeed. A good biblical model for this is Barnabas. By encouraging and challenging others, he empowered them for ministry. Barnabas may not have been in the starring role but, without him, others would not have been able to accomplish the great things for God that they did.
Coaches come alongside people to help them reflect on their goals and refocus their activities toward that end. Coaching is not about telling people what to do, but about giving the gift of listening and then asking good questions that help people listen to God for themselves and find their own solutions. We all need those types of relationships in our lives, but they are essential for planters. This type of encouraging, empowering relationship is what allows planters not only to keep their heads above water but also to thrive and ultimately to multiply themselves. Coaching makes a huge difference for planters – both qualitatively and experientially.
A recent denominational research study demonstrated that planter coaching resulted in a broader ministry impact in terms of church growth (measured by attendance). The relationship between coaching and the growth of new church plants is statistically significant: after four years, the churches of those planters who received regular coaching were 25% larger than the churches of those who did not. The study also indicated that weekly coaching had a stronger impact than monthly or quarterly coaching.
Movements need to ensure that their capacity to coach planters expands along with the number of planters they are developing. Think long-range. As with every dimension of church multiplication, we need to focus not just on coaching, but also on increasing coaching capacity. The ultimate goal is to create a system that develops and raises up more coaches to supply the future need as the entire movement grows and reproduces.
To create a coaching culture in your movement certain pieces will need to be in place:
- Develop a process for identifying coaches
- Develop initial and ongoing training for coaches
- Provide coaching for coaches.
- Give coaches access to a forum that allows them to exchange insights, ideas and questions.
- Ensure church planters are encouraged to make coaching a part of their ministry.
- Identify challenges to developing a coaching movement and consider ways to overcome them.
For further insights into these elements, check out the other articles in this section of the Blog.
Colin Noyes is the Director of ResourceZone International. He has thirty years of ministry experience as a pastor, college lecturer and consultant/coach to consultants, denominational leaders and local church pastors.
- Be Fruitful and Multiply
- Cultivating Multiplication Movement Storyboard – Ministry Specific Resource (PDF)
- Cultivating Multiplication Movements: Coaching Guide with Storyboard – Ministry Specific Resource (PDF)
- Coaching Effectiveness Profile (PDF)
- Effective Coaching Skills Storyboard (PDF)
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