Douglas Cartwright

What Is the Purpose of a Christian Coach?



Posted: Tuesday, September 08, 2009

by
Living Words Coaching and Training

This article represents my views only but I would love to hear from you.

What is the purpose of a Christian coach?

I hold that a Christian coach's purpose is two-fold: it is to help facilitate the greatest possible expression of Christ in you AS you become more effective in achieving your outcomes. It is to help you manifest Him AND use the gifts He has given you simultaneously. One without the other is like a bike where one tyre is rapidly deflating: you can ride but eventually the drag is so great it becomes exhausting.

Coaching as I have learned it is about taking your character, skills, and abilities to the next level. But what use is it if you become more effective, more reliant on your own resources and leave Him behind? Perhaps the question: 'How does your identity (BEING) in Christ need to grow to encompass this new change of actions and skills? is a pertinent one?'

What does it profit a man if he gains the world and looses his soul?

I suspect us coaches have been guilty of often addressing the practical which in truth IS the spiritual - as works without faith is dead(!) The two need each other; they are flip sides of the same coin, synthesized, and synchronistic.

For example, even when people 'act without thinking' they actually do not - they simply do not give more than moment's thought to what they are doing - which is often not enough. It is wrong to say there is no thought - or they would be brain dead! Many things work together simultaneously although we separate them in language: 'grace' is a form of 'judgement', works are a form of 'faith' or at least performed with faith etc. We do our clients a disservice when we isolate effectiveness from holiness. It is a matter of degree but ultimately our meanings which comprise our faith need to drive our actions.

So I asked myself: 'What am I truly in coaching for?' and the answer is 'to cause the greatest expression of Christ in each man possible' and to too coach Christians to be like Christ in areas they most struggle to be like Him.

So what is involved in this Christian coaching? Well, it aims to help people 'renew their minds' but often deals in the structural rather than the content. By this, I mean that a coach might teach a person the process of planning and setting goals without telling them what goals to set. This is all well and good.

But for the Christian, attention needs to be given to the scriptural content. Otherwise, we get zeal without knowledge, a rushing ahead to claim goals with your new powers without considering the effect on the person spiritually or emotionally or mentally and in all other areas of their lives.

I am simply not sure that Christian coaching can focus just on teaching new skills and processes unless the person is very much in tune with God's Truth. Whilst we may not have the biblical knowledge to mentor (pass on our experience and wisdom) we can keep drawing the client's attention back to Christ with questions:

- How will this affect your service in the kingdom?

- What would Jesus do? WWJD

- What bible references come to mind as guiding examples, events and principles?

- Who else in the scriptures has been in a similar position?

- How can you (the slave of Christ) use this to serve your master?

Taking this stand takes courage. If the client is only calling themselves a Christian because of the family they were born into, or ticking a box for comfort, they may become so uncomfortable they want to end the coaching. Never-mind - this is a chance for you to love your brother and sister and gently ask them 'Where are you at with your relationship with God?'

It is hard because we need to trust God to provide to replace that person when we do the right thing. I sent a young person on their way because they did not need coaching; they needed to deal with situations in their lives and maybe some sin. I said 'you are welcome to come back' when you have made progress. I would rather they were right with God than right with my pocket.

Thanks for reading.

Douglas Cartwright is a Christian who helps other Christians in business, leadership and 'visible positions' 'renew their minds and live their words so they might manifest a greater expression of Christ in their words and deeds'. To find out more, visit http://www.livingwords.net and book your free introductory session. If you are interested in original Christian resources for managing your mind and emotions as God intended, go to : http://www.livingwords.net/christianresources.html

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