LifeWorks 1.0Life Coaching As a Ministry Model

The “hole” our in “Wholeness”

LifeWorks is designed to facilitate churches in the ministry of pastoral care.

* Pastoral care is the concerted effort of human and divine resources to empower individuals to experience and expand God’s sphere of influence.

The church has made considerable progress with salvation and healing but little headway with wholeness!

Life Coaching is a ministry model that will assist in this endeavor.

What is a coach?

The English term “coach” comes from KOCZ, the name of a town in eastern Europe in the 1500’s that became well known for the manufacture of horse drawn carriages; vehicles that helped someone get from where they are to where they want to be.

It was first used to describe a person in the 1880’s at Cambridge University for the man who helped the rowing team become the best in England.

In the twentieth century it moved from sports to the fields of music, acting, public speaking, fitness, and nutrition.

What is a life coach?

In the 1990’s CEO’s of large corporations needed help to stay focused in the midst of hyperactive lifestyles, increased stress, and global strategies.

The digital information age brought on exponential increase in choices, increasing the difficulty of focus.

These shared challenges exposed the need for someone to help determine and reach meaningful goals; a LIFE COACH!

Life Coaching As A Ministry Model

God offers redemptive threads in every generation and culture with which Kingdom principles can be sown into the fabric of society.

The “Issachar Anointing” (First Chronicles 12:32)

Life coaching offers a model which can be effectively applied in many different settings.

Recovery and Discovery

What has been lost must be recovered: the Image of God, through repentance, the new birth, deliverance, healing ,,,,

In that process we should come to a “healthy present”.

A point when the majority of our time, energy, and resources can be spent on planning for the future as opposed to dealing with a hurtful past

Through the grace of God and the person of Christ we can begin to discover our particular role in His Kingdom.

LifeWorks training offers vocabulary and technique in order to facilitate this endeavor.

Life Coaching and Existing Models

Counseling/Therapy: Therapy is done by a licensed professional and usually deals with pain or dysfunction arising from the past. Coaching focuses on present assets and opportunities. Coaching is not therapy, but it is therapeutic. Therapy can be compared to archaeology; coaching is more like architecture!

Mentoring: The mentor is usually older and has experience in a specific field. A coach uses general concepts which can have benefit in many applications.

Discipleship: Teaches biblical truth and spiritual principles. Coaching goes back to a more fundamental understanding of education; from the Latin “educar”, meaning to draw out, to lead from within.

Consulting: Consultants are experts in their field, and are hired to solve problems; they are expected to have the answers and are responsible for the outcome. Coaches recognize that the persons being coached are the experts on their own lives. Coaching is discovery based and is meant to tap deeper into the potential of the person being coached.

Summary: Coaching explores the dreams and abilities God has placed within, including the opportunities that are divinely placed, facilitating the fulfillment of personal destiny. This I believe is the very heart of expanding the Kingdom of God!

Four Keys to Effective Life Coaching

Powerful Assumptions

Cultivating Questions

Engaged Listening

Insightful Reflection

Powerful Assumptions

Accepted fundamental principles which need no further proof and from which flow intentional actions

Examples: Everyone is created in the Image of God. There is a God-designed purpose for everyone. That purpose is expressed through heartfelt passion. There is a God-honoring solution to every challenge. A focus on this brings a shift in perspective through the prism of grace. Christ is the avenue for this light.

Powerful Assumptions may also be negative; the opposite of those above.

What do these Scriptures add to this topic? Jeremiah 29:11 Philippians 2:13 Philippians 3:12,13

How do our assumptions affect our methods and attitudes?

Cultivating Questions

Intelligence is shown by the answers we give, but wisdom is revealed in the questions we ask!

Proper questions are like mental spades that till the soil of the soul, allowing God-planted seeds to sprout.

Explore feelings! What I feel about my thoughts is more important than what I think about my feelings. Example: How would you like to feel about this present situation in six to twelve months? What do you need to do now in order to feel that way about it?

Use qualifying questions on a scale of 1-10.

Avoid yes and no questions, why questions, long questions.

Questions should clarify challenges and qualify solutions.

Engaged Listening

What are we saying about listening when we have speech classes, but no listening class?

Human dignity is the greatest natural resource and must be preserved at all cost! Listening adds value to the one speaking. One sure way to validate another person is to simply listen without thinking of what to say next!

Don‘t be afraid of silence!

Know the difference between hearing and listening.

Insightful Reflection

Giving advice is counter productive! Restate briefly what you have heard in order to clarify.

Explore subtle differences hat may change perspectives.

Examples:

# Preparing vs Planning # Scheduling priorities vs Prioritizing schedules

# Desire vs Action

# Quality vs Quantity

# Both/And vs Either/Or

# Results vs Intention

#Excellence vs Perfection

Conclusion and Next Steps

Sound more like a cheerleader than a referee! Find something positive and encouraging!

Don‘t condemn or interrogate.

If there is a need for deeper thought regarding a certain question or idea, make that part of the assignment.

EVERY SESSION ENDS WITH AN ASSIGNMENT! NEXT SESSION IS SCHEDULED ONLY AFTER ASSIGNMENT IS COMPLETED!!

Response

How may this approach help you in ministry?

What challenges do you feel may arise?

What are the strong points?

On a scale of 1-10, how excited are you about this approach to ministry?

What is your next step?

When will you take it?

What other information would be helpful?