In May of 2008 the Florida Conference will begin offering Transformational Coaching to pastors of churches in situations where reFocusing Networks and Natural Church Development are not appropriate tools due to circumstances of conflict, low readiness for transformation processes, or rapidly changing communities. These Transformational Coaches will be Certified by the Florida Conference (having met the certification standards of the International Coaching Federation) and will have completed additional training specific to transformational challenges faced by pastors.
The leadership coaching process develops relationships in ways that open up communication and build trust. It creates an environment where mutual learning and a sense of partnership evolve.
For individuals and organizations, coaching provides benefits in these areas:
The coach approach is a self-discovery process. Through questions, exploration and challenge, the coachee discovers solutions and implementations independently as the coach promotes discovery throughout the coaching conversation.
Throughout the coaching relationship, the coach provides support and encouragement to the coachee.
A key characteristic of coaching is accountability – not to the coach, but accountability from the coachee to the coachee.
Coaching is action-oriented. Action plans and steps provide for progress toward goals and objectives.
A coach challenges the coachee to step outside the box, push the envelope and take risks that are preceded by reflection with preparation. The coach offers a supportive, confidential and safe relationship for experimentation. A coach encourages the coachees to get clear about goals and dreams and then to articulate in action-biased language.
A coaching relationship is designed for the benefit of the coachee.
- Having a coach is having a colleague who is non-judgmental, objective, supportive and honest – a person without a self-centered agenda.
- Having a coach facilitates our developing our proficiency in working with the chaos and constant change in our lives and our work.
- Having a coach is like having a climbing guide.
- Having a coach helps improve our organizational effectiveness `through dialogue, inquiry and positive interactions.
- Having a coach is like having a very good friend who wants the best for you and tells you the truth
- Coaching may be one of the most significant relationships in one’s life – one that promotes personal growth and professional development.
Foundations of the coaching process:
Coaching as a profession is relatively new with a formal credentialing process being in place for just over a decade. However, coaching is anything but new.
The word “coach” in the 1500s described a horse-drawn vehicle that moved people to desired destinations. Coaching helps people expand their visions, build their confidence, unlock their potential, increase their skills and take practical steps toward their goals”.
The International Coach Federation adheres to a form of coaching that honors the coachee as the expert in his/her life and work and believes that every person is creative, resourceful and whole. Standing on this foundation, the coach’s responsibility is to:
- Discover, clarify and align with what the coachee wants to achieve.
- Encourage coachee self-discovery.
- Elicit coachee-generated solutions and strategies.
- Hold the coachee responsible and accountable.
But coaching was witnessed much earlier than the 1500’s. The account of the prophet Nathan and David is a classic coaching encounter providing insight through metaphor and questioning and reflection and accountability. (2 Samuel 12). Jesus himself was the master life coach with his questions and parables serving as a model for centuries to come.
The Florida Conference has long recognized the value of the coaching relationship in the implementation of Natural Church Development, reFocusing Leaders Networks, New Church Starts, and new Clergy in ministry.
In 2008 we will begin training our first group of Certified Coaches to be available at nominal charge to pastors and lay leadership in the Florida Conference. These coaches will be available in 2009. This is a big step toward developing a coaching culture, the value of which has been long understood in the corporate world and in personal development venues as demonstrated in the following table:
|
Organizations with Performance Enhancing Cultures |
Organizations without Performance Enhancing Cultures |
Revenue Growth |
682% |
166% |
Employment Growth |
282% |
36% |
Stock Price Growth |
901% |
74% |
Net Income Growth |
756% |
1% |
[ from The Heart of Coaching by Thomas Crane (2002, p. 21)] |
