Coaching is a Best Practice for Clergy Leaders

By Ircel Harrison

As I work with churches and other organizations, I sometimes hear this statement: “This person has a problem. They probably need a coach.” I am not sure of the source of this perspective, but it misses the real reason that a person should have a coach.

The present coaching movement was birthed in a business climate where rising executives were (and are) provided coaches so that they could build on their strengths. They were already doing well and showed potential to do more, but the idea was that, with coaching, they could do even better. Coaching is a best practice for a business that wants to develop its leaders. The same should be true for churches.

This is where life or leadership coaching intersects with athletic coaching. A sports coach comes alongside an athlete who has talent and has already shown promise in order to help that person become even better. The coach challenges the athlete to improve, grow, and excel.

Whenever a leader faces a new challenge, a life or leadership coach can come alongside and help that person to lean into that opportunity, using all of their potential to excel. In short, coaching is not for losers, it is for winners.

There are occasions when a church committee will contact Pinnacle and ask us to provide a coach for a staff member. Sometimes, the committee will identify something that the person “needs to work on.” So, what does the coach do? My approach is, first, to say to the committee, “I will be glad to coach this person, but this is a confidential relationship, and I will only report to you that we have met.” If they reject this provision, we go no further. Second, if the committee agrees to this provision, I meet with the person and begin the session by affirming that this is sacred space, I will honor our confidentiality unless I feel that the client or someone else is in danger, and any communication with the committee will come from the client not from me. Third, I assure the client that this is an opportunity to identify what he or she wants to address. The client has to set the agenda.

If churches and other organizations value their leaders and want them to succeed and provide maximum leadership, a coach can be invaluable. It is an investment that pays dividends. As we continue to deal with disruptive times, coaching can benefit both the clergy leader and his or her church.

If you want to know more about coaching, please contact me at ircelh@pinnlead.com and we can set up a time for free coaching call so that you can learn more.  I would also be glad to discuss how you might become involved in Summit Coach Training.