Re-careering: The Need for Re-Imagining

Coaching for Re-Imagining Ministry

           Coaching is a powerful relationship and conversation that seems to help clergy and their families reframe experiences and discover pathways anew for fulfilling their calling and recapturing their energy and passion for evangelism, missions, servanthood and pastoring. In fact, many clergy who have experienced this ‘aha' through coaching are now training to develop their coaching skills. There are many venues for doing this. I am a master certified coach and licensed coach trainer providing coaching services www.coachapproachministries.com  .

           Coaching is about moving forward not untangling the past.  Coaching is about action and deepening learning and always about the client’s agenda (not the agenda of the coach).

           For illustration purposes, let me close the article by taking one of the above quotes and framing a simple coaching conversation that might help you begin to re-image things and move from frustration to fulfillment.

   “I’m tired and drained most of the time. What I’m doing is no longer giving me life and fulfillment.”

 This is a real quote from a real coaching client. My coach response to him went something like this around this quote.

 Coach: “How would you define those things that drain your energy?”

Client: "The church has grown so that I now need to supervise staff, do more administration and I just do not enjoy this." I'd rather be preparing to preach or visiting hospitals."

Coach: "How could you do less of the 'drainers' and more of the things that are life giving?" (What does 'drainers' look/feel like for you?"

Client: (after thought and silence) "I could find someone to delegate some things."

Coach: “Who do you know that enjoys administration and supervision?”

Client: (after thought and silence) “Mark, Sally and Bill are pretty good with this.

Coach: Are you willing to talk with them about how they might be able to help you?

Client: Sure.

Coach: When will you do this?

Client: Tuesday of next week.

Coach: Can you let me know how that goes?

Client: Sure. I’ll send you an email.

          This conversation continued to explore ‘what would happen if you focused more on fulfilling the pastoral function you are gifted to do and called to rather than focusing just on the pastoral office?’

 He agreed this question opened a new window. (What a coach works for!!!) He then decided to explore the biblical differences between the function and the office of pastor.  We are to pick up there with our next session.

          I ask, ‘what are your take a-ways from this conversation?”

          Client quickly declared with renewed energy, “I feel lighter and free. I see some options I didn’t see before.”

          Coach: Great. 

          What’s your next step? What would help you re-image or re-career your ministry? What steps do you need to take now to move from frustration to fulfillment? What will it take to move on your callings rather than be trapped by your fears?

Re-Imagining Next Steps for Church, Clergy and Ministry