Why Does a Pastor* Need a Coach?
At its core, coaching is about helping you grow in self-awareness in who you are and what you have to offer. This is crucial for those in ministry. As a ministry leader, you will face challenges in interpersonal relationships, navigating organizational culture, and leading the church into the future.
Coaching can help you:
bring clarity in the midst of the challenges
increase your confidence as you make decisions
foster greater alignment between vision and actions
recognize and overcome self-doubt and the personal barriers that get in your way
What is Coaching?
“International Coach Federation (ICF) defines coaching as partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential. Coaches honour the client as the expert in his or her life and work and believe every client is creative, resourceful and whole.
— The International Coach Federation
Jon’s Approach
I think of a coach as a 'thinking partner'. One who engages at the deeper level of personal beliefs and values. One who supports the cultivation of an inspiring vision and collaborates on the journey to its fulfillment. Coaching, to me, is about empowering others not only to achieve their goals but to flourish as they do.
I use a 'values alignment' approach that involves getting clarity on what is important--not only professionally, but personally. Central to my approach is the belief that in order to successfully and confidently meet your challenges and make the most of your opportunities, you must know and be your most authentic self.
In a typical coaching session, you can expect us to first establish a verbal contract that specifies your objectives. Through deep listening and asking probing questions, I seek to empower you to determine what the next step might be and how to take it with integrity and authenticity.
*Note: We use the term “pastor” to signify anyone who is serving in a ministry capacity. Whether you wear the title of pastor, ministry director, chaplain, coordinator, or something else, these offerings are for you. Ministry teams can also benefit from team coaching.
Want to learn more about how coaching can help you grow?
“Jon, you have been such a helpful thinking partner in this season: as I process my leadership journey thus far and look to the future. You ask such great clarifying questions—and pushing me past easy answers to get to the core pieces that make up the answer. Thank you for keeping me focused on what is important to me and making such helpful connections between previous conversations, values, and the context in which I lead. I appreciate your openness, skill, wisdom, patience, and flexibility as this journey has unfolded. ”
“I am looking forward to new adventures. I do not think I would have managed to get to this place without your coaching. You have to be the greatest coach on earth!”