Paris, France

Creating a Coaching Culture

Pastor Parker Windle understands and appreciates the power of coaching. He says, “I grew up knowing the value of coaching…my dad was a sports coach. I get it.” Desiring to create a coaching culture in Emmanuel International Church in Paris, France, he invested in coaching training for the church leadership. EIC leadership gathered for fellowship and learning on 15 October to begin their coaching journey together.

In his book, The COACH Model for Christian Leaders, Keith Webb defines coaching as “an on-going intentional conversation that empowers a person or group to fully live out God’s calling.”

Coaching is all about being an equipper (Ephesians 4:12-13), not a solutions-giver. Coaches want to equip disciples to hear from the Holy Spirit, think through options, and move forward in obedience and service. Coaching facilitates this process in a practical way. Coaching helps disciples discern vision, determine next steps, and find solutions. As they do, they are better equipped for future ministry success.

Coaching helps draw out what the Holy Spirit has put in a person. It’s effective because it brings out a person’s best – what God has put in them. Coaching is based on the theological understanding that every believer already has an advisor – the Holy Spirit. Jesus explained the Holy Spirit’s role in a believer’s life in John 14:26: “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”

Coaching maximizes people’s potential. God has uniquely created each person to become someone special and to do something special. This is “calling.” Calling is not just for vocational ministers. Every believer has calling in at least three areas of his or her life: calling to character or personal holiness (Eph. 1:4), calling to relationship with God (Eph. 1:5), and calling to ministry – a unique contribution to God’s kingdom (Eph. 2:10). Coaching provides a supportive environment to help a person discover what God has for him or her.

Creating a coaching culture is absolutely essential for effectively multiplying disciples, leaders, and churches. Coaching is a vital ingredient for the healthy and multiplying church.

Darryl Evetts