FAQs
What is Christian coaching?
Coaching can be defined as coming along side of another with the Holy Spirit in a discovery and clarifying process to inspire and challenge him to find and reach his purpose and potential that God has planned.
What is the difference between coaching and counseling?
While counseling is helping a person deal with things going on in the past, coaching is about moving the person forward. It helps the person address the question "Where can I go from here?" or "What can I proactively do about a situation?"
What would I expect from a coach?
The coach will create an open and safe space for the person being coached to explore his future plans, goals as well as exploring possible solutions. This is done by having the coach listening and observing and asking questions, which organize the thoughts of the person being coached. The coach will guide the conversation by keeping the goal in mind as well as challenge and encourage the person being coached to reach his goals.
What is expected from the person being coached?
Coaching is about discovering solutions, not be given answers. In this light, the person being coached is expected to work at coming up with the answers and not give up with the situation at hand. The coach will work with finding the right questions to ask in order to find the answers, but the person being coached must be willing to attempt at an answer. The person being coached should be expected to be changed and be willing to change in order to reach the goal he will set for himself.
What are the topics which are suitable for coaching?
Although coaching started out as a corporate tool to help workers gain productivity in their work, it has also found applications in personal life areas. Some topics which I have coached around include time management, finding motivation, career choices, personal relationships, workplace relationships, life goals, spiritual direction, how to overcome sins, church ministry guidance, parenting, and personal health.
What are the Biblical basis for coaching?
Coaching works because it is based on how God has created man and how he chooses to interact with people whom he loves. In a Christian coaching session, the coach recognizes that it is God who ultimately changes lives (John 14:16-26, John 15:5, Phil 2:13). A coach believes that God will complete his good works in all. A coach believes that each person has a purpose, gifting, and calling; coaching helps a person discover that calling that God has given him (Phil 1:6, Eph 2:10, Eph 4:11-13). A coach believes that every person is capable of being the person that God wants him to be (1 Cor 1:4-8). A Christian coach will encourage the person being coached to take their eternal perspective beliefs and putting them into action (Romans 12:1, Eph 4:1-3, Col 3:1). And a Christian coach will help the person being coached to see past Satan's deceits of a "can't do" attitude into a person who can focus on God's purposes (Eph 4:21-24).
What are the logistics of a coaching sessions?
The scheduling is flexible depending on personal preferences. I recommend starting out with six coaching sessions of 45 minutes each every other week. This will allow enough coaching sessions for people to get a feel of how a coaching session works and have enough sessions to work on medium term goals, yet short enough to evaluate the suitability of coaching at the end of the six sessions.
Where do we meet for coaching sessions?
We can meet at a location that is convenient for you. Usually, the in-person coaching sessions are done at a cafe, home, or office. However, most people find it more convenient to have the coaching session done over the phone, which works well also.
How much do you change for coaching?
While coaching is primarly a ministry rather than a career for me, coaching sessions are much effective if the sessions are paid. When a session is paid, the person being coached is more serious about making the best use of the coaching time as well as doing the follow up actions when the session are paid. In that light, the suggested donation is $40-$60 per hour ($30-$45 per 45 minutes session).
How do I get started?
I offer a free first session to explain in person how the coaching process works as well as a short coaching session to discover your needs. I will explain how the coaching session will move forward based on your coaching topics and what you can expect. You can also use this session to see if there is a fit between your needs and me as a coach.
What if coaching doesn't work out?
Coaching is about dealing with the future for a person who has the motivation to make changes in his life. There are situations where coaching may not be suitable due to the topic being coached on or incompatibility between the coach and the person being coached. I will identify these situations to the best of my ability and recommend another coach or a councilor if is occurring. Please be open with me if things are not working out and I will do my best to accommodate or recommend another if possible. In these cases, any fees paid for future sessions will be refunded.