Tim Olson, a coach friend of mine from here in Minneapolis, attended the conference in Charlotte on June 4 and 5. I asked him to share about his opportunity to connect there with other coaches interested a topic near and dear to his heart.
Linda Hedberg: Tim, I know you facilitated a roundtable discussion at the Christian Coaches Network conference a couple of weeks ago – the topic was coaching missionaries. Tell me about that.
Tim Olson: This was a great group of coaches who really want to have an impact on the world of missions to bring Jesus to the nations. Unfortunately, we all feel isolated and/or unsure how to go about it. In the round table, we were able to tell each other our experiences and vision for coaching this slice of society and to glean ideas and encouragement.
The fact is there are many coaching efforts happening “out there” but very little communication between them. The vision we shared at the round table was that some day, coaching will be an automatic part of a missionary’s schedule and support raising. We have seen the impact in terms of reducing burnout, increasing effectiveness and bringing life balance.
Linda: Tell me about the Mission Coaches Network.
Tim: Yes, I was asked to host the round table because of the Mission Coaches Network, which I co-started with Tina Stoltzfus-Horst. We have the same purpose: to learn from one another and to help lay tracks to take coaching to the world of missions. In effect, we hold a round table every month as a teleconference around various specific topics related to issues that both the missionaries and the coaches face.
Linda: Who attends the Mission Coaches Network teleconferences?
Tim: It is an open group and new coaches join us regularly. Interested coaches can contact me at mitolson@comcast.net for details on joining us.
Linda: Thanks, Tim!
Tim Olson has his own business as a personal life coach after years as a pastor, teacher, school principal, business owner and missionary. In addition, he works as a leadership coach for Dads First, a ministry for fathers in the US and in Ukraine. Also a speaker and writer, Tim received his coach training in the Christian track of the Institute for Life Coach Training. He is a member of the Christian Coaches Network. Tim can be reached at mitolson@comcast.net.
Here are some key concepts from the workshop Jerome Daley and I presented last week at the Association of Marriage and Family Ministries conference last week:
- When Life balance is out-of-whack, a door is opened for the thief to steal and kill and destroy true life in Christ. This is as true for you as it is for those you serve in ministry. (reference John 10:10)
- Balance is not about “self-actualization.” It is not, at the core, about improving the quality of your life (although of course it will). Balance is about something bigger and more vital to eternity than our comfort.
- Balance occurs when we assign kingdom value accurately upon the earth. Imbalance, then, is when we get confused about what is really important.
- We will never achieve complete balance here on this earth. We are either moving toward greater balance, or away from it. The role of the coach is to facilitate movement toward balance as much as possible.
- As always, look to Jesus as the example.
The workshop was packed with examples of Jesus and other scriptural references. We provided practical tools - lots of handouts - for participants to use either for their own journey toward balance or for use with those they minister to.
If you have interest in scheduling this workshop for your church, community or conference, please contact me at linda@lifestoriescoaching.com.
Coaching for Life Balance in Ministry was the workshop Jerome Daley and I presented as part of the life coaching track at the Association of Marriage and Family Ministries conference in Charlotte, NC, USA, last week. Christopher McCluskey did a workshop called A Crash Course in Christian Coaching. Judy Santos and Susan Whitcomb presented on Coaching through Life’s Transitions. Other Christian Coaching Network members presented on topics including Basic Coaching Skills, Coaching skills Applied to Christian Leadership, and Coaching for Health and Wellness.
The AMFM included the life coaching track in the conference training schedule to introduce members to classic professional coaching and to further inform and equip members for effective ministry. The AMFM members are primarily counselors, pastors and ministry leaders, from across the country, all with a passion for marriage and family ministries. This was a rich opportunity to spread further throughout the Christian community the value of coaching and to offer coaching tools and support.
The AMFM experience reminds me of Judy Santos’ discussion of emerging trends in Christian coaching, posted at this blog on February 2. Professionally trained Christian coaches are increasingly seeing more opportunities within the community of Christian leaders and churches to contribute coaching education , resources and support.
Pioneers of Christian coaching have for years been blazing trails and creating paths for other Christian coaches to follow. I, for one, thank them for their work and commitment.
All for the glory and purposes of God!
I just returned to Minneapolis from a week in Charlotte, NC, USA. I attended the combined Christian Coaches Network conference (last Monday and Tuesday) and the Association of Marriage and Family Ministries conference (Wednesday-Friday). What a blessing to spend time with other Christian coaches, with a rich blend of experience, professional coach training and callings. A great opportunity for brand new Christian coaches to learn from experienced pioneers in the field of Christian coaching - and for all of us to share with each other in the ways God is using coaches who are Christians to further his purposes and glory.
This was the third CCN conference I’ve attended. The first was held in Virginia Beach, VA, USA, in 2003. The second was in Seattle, WA, USA, in 2004. It is surely fun to meet friends in person after getting to know each other over the phone. (It’s also a bit odd for me because I find I create a sense of physical presence when I’ve shared phone calls with people - then when we are actually physically present with one another my original sense is far enough off that I have to adjust. Job “hazard” I guess - and a small one at that.)
The biggest blessing I experience when getting together with CCN coaches is noticing how God is working in a variety of ways - using different coach training programs (including secular ones) and different backgrounds/styles/experiences to ignite different callings (from ministry to business) in Christian coaches all for his purposes. I love the diversity and this reflection and presence of the body of Christ in our profession.
Those of us who extended our time in Charlotte to spend time with the larger AMFM group enjoyed giving to and receiving from them. I’ll write more about this in my next post. Look for several upcoming posts with more about this time for Christian coaches in Charlotte.
As always, let me know how I can serve you, either here at the blog or via e-mail at linda@lifestoriescoaching.com
Last month, I attended a teleforum hosted by Milana Leshinsky featuring successful, experienced coaches offering “coaching predictions” for 2007. I got to thinking about the field of Christian coaching and wondered what successful, experienced Christian coaches would have to say about emerging trends in Christian coaching for 2007.
So, I contacted Judy Santos, Master Certified Coach and Founder/President of the Christian Coaches Network and asked her to share her thoughts. She graciously responded by offering her thoughts on twelve trends she sees as new and growing in 2007, including:
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Increasingly, churches contracting with professionally trained coaches or creating staff positions for them. Lay coach training will become more prevalent within churches.
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Coaching offered as part of masters programs at seminaries and some Christian universities contributing to greater exposure of coaching in the Christian community.
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Christian coaches finding increased business success by presenting more workshops and training with coaching services offered as follow up.
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Emerging trends that will make coaching more available to people who are not financially able to contract with a coaches individually – such as opportunities resulting from federally funded programs and through non-profit organizations and also through the increased availability of group coaching.
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The number of Christian coach training programs will continue to increase, and in some cases this is concerning.
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It will not be surprising if licensing requirements become a reality for professional coaches within the next five years.
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The market for Christian coaching will continue to grow!
Judy develops all these ideas and more in the complete document you can find here:http://christiancoachingresources.com/pdf/Judy-Santos-Emerging-Trends.pdf
Share your comments here at the Christian Coaching Resources Blog. Just click “comment” below, enter your message, hit submit and let me “hear” you!
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Agree or disagree?
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Comment or question?
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What do you see on the horizon for Christian coaching in 2007?
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And for my international readers, what are your thoughts about emerging trends in Christian coaching where you are in the world?
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Click “comment” below and share your thoughts.
Judy Santos is a Master Certified Coach, the highest level of certification granted by the International Coach Federation. She works with entrepreneurs and people in the midst of change as well as mentoring new coaches. She is celebrating her tenth year as a professional life coach, www.judysantos.com . She is the founder and president of the Christian Coaches Network, www.christiancoaches.com , which was established in 1998. She has trained thousands of coaches by teaching at Coach U and, for the last seven years, co-leading the Christian Track at the Institute for Life Coach Training www.lifecoachtraining.com which is currently the only life coach training program that is accredited by the International Coach Federation and led from a Christian perspective. She also co-leads training through the Christian Coach Training Institute www.christiancoachtraining.com which focuses on lay coaching within the church.
The start of the WebCafe Marketing Class is just one week away!
Beth Cole (“webservant” and web marketing expert from www.proimpact.com ) and I are looking forward to joining those of you – including new and experienced Christian life coaches - who have already reserved your place at the WebCafe!
As you may have heard, the WebCafe menu offers hot web marketing strategies to our technology-timid friends! If you are a coach who can confidently describe yourself as a “non-techie” and you haven’t yet signed up to learn how to go beyond just having a website to making the most of your marketing opportunities – reserve your place now by going to www.webmarketingclass.com .
Go to www.webmarketingclass.com to easily access further details and to register for the six-session class which meets Tuesdays, January 16 – February 20, from 1-2 PM EST (New York). The live teleclasses, weekly webinar presentation, handouts, supplemental materials and more are available in packages starting at just $159 USD.
Though we as instructors are Christians, as are others who have signed up for the class, the class is certainly open to those of all faiths.
While preparing for the class, Beth and I are keeping in mind Hebrews 25:10 - a verse that calls us to meet together and encourage one another. A phrase from this verse (quoted from the Message) that reflects our hearts is “let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging one another in love and helping out.”
We’d love to have you join us! www.webmarketingclass.com
Leaves are changing color and shine brightly against blue-sky backdrops. Some are already falling and dance gently in the cool crisp breeze.
Here in Minnesota, we are fully experiencing the beauty of autumn.
Lest you be lulled to sleep by poetic imagery, I must announce a wake-up call.
To all Christian life coaches who plan to do business in 2007, I must remind you that it’s what you do today that brings results three months (and further) down the road.
In just three months, we will be ringing in the New Year. Potential clients will be making resolutions and considering how to make the most of 2007. You can help them “make the most.”
How will they find you?
The time is now – yes, now in October - to create and begin executing a marketing plan designed to support business for 2007.
My blog-tour of the www.christiancoachingresources.com site continues.
Christian Coaching Resources exists to provide valuable resources and information for new and prospective Christian coaches. The following books do not specifically include a Christian perspective. However, they offer great info that can be used by any Christian coach to contribute to an effective marketing plan. Go to the site and find the following:
Get Clients Now! by C. J. Hayden - Focuses on tried and true marketing practices with step-by-step guidlines for a 28-day marketing plan.
Multiple Streams of Coaching Income by Andrea J. Lee –Takes you beyond the pursuit of one-on-one coaching clients and challenges you to consider additional streams of income. Creating multiple streams of income is a great (arguably essential) way to augment your one-on-one coaching practice.
The Insider’s Guide to Web Marketing by Beth Cole – Gives you the info you need to start marketing effectively on the web. It provides great info for non-techie-type coaches who need basic info and then takes you further so you can make the most of your web-based opportunities.
Contact me today, for coaching to develop and implement your marketing plan for 2007. We can work together on it starting in January, but if you begin today you will thank yourself in 2007!
Linda Dallaire can be reached at linda@lifestoriescoaching.com or 763.780.8508.
Could you use an easy-to-read useful information tool that will help you clarify distinctions between life coaching and other similar types of relationships?
Within the Christian community, people often consider the differences between life coaching and…
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Counseling
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Consulting
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Spiritual Direction
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Mentoring/Discipleship
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Pastoral Care
Do you find yourself wondering about the differences?
Would you like to more clearly communicate the differences to others?
Questions about these distinctions are so common that I developed and offer a free resource - The Life Coaching Comparison Tool - available as a free download at the Christian Coaching Resources website. Simply sign in at the site – give as little or as much info as you’d like (your name and e-mail address are all that’s required) – and receive the link to this free download.
For questions or information, contact Linda Dallaire at linda@lifestoriescoaching.com or 763.780.8508.
As you start your new life coaching business, you’re likely considering producing a website. This can be done fairly easily and cheaply. However, just establishing the site doesn’t guarantee results. To gain the results you want, educate yourself.
Becoming web marketing savvy is typically not a passionate goal of coaches (are you with me?). So I’m happy to refer you to another very helpful resource listed on the Christian Coaching Resources site…
Today’s featured resource is The Insiders Guide to Web Marketing – Big Ideas for Small Companies, an e-book by Beth Cole of proimpact.com.
This e-book is written to “non-techie” people like me, in a language we can understand. It gives an overview of the really great opportunities available in marketing on the web - clear info and guidance that will help you establish a web marketing plan to effectively gain results.
If you don’t yet have a website and are considering creating one, start first by purchasing this e-book. If you already have a site and want to learn about how to use it more effectively, The Insiders Guide to Web Marketing is an excellent resource – don’t hesitate to order it today! The investment is worth the potential in return.
Christian Coaching Resources connects you with resources that will contribute to the results you desire for your coaching business. Endorsements are carefully considered. For further information, contact Linda Dallaire at linda@lifestoriescoaching.com or 763.780.8508.
Hopefully, in addition to visiting me here at my blog, you have toured the Christian Coaching Resources site. I designed the site for prospective and new Christian coaches. The resources referenced address the initial interests of Christians new to the profession of life coaching.
In my upcoming blog entries I will be featuring resources available at www.christiancoachingresources.com.
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If you’ve read my entries so far, you know I’ve mentioned Gary R. Collins’ book, Christian Coaching: Helping Others Turn Potential Into Reality. This is the best place to start for those just beginning to research the profession. This resource offers an overview of the profession of coaching and discusses the integration of Christian principles with the practice of coaching.
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Another great opportunity is to join me for the Christian Coaching Resources “Tell Me More…” meeting - a free, live, info session experienced over the phone (like a conference call). At the next session, Tuesday, October 10, at 12 noon Central Standard Time, I will be sharing my Top Ten List of Just-Starting-Out Considerations for new and prospective Christian coaches. There will also be an opportunity for discussion and questions. Please sign up at the site to receive the phone number for the session. I look forward to meeting you there!Contact Linda Dallaire for further information at linda@lifestoriescoaching.com or 763.780.8508.
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