Running Head: CHRISTIAN COACHING
Christian Coaching
Gabriel R. Gasporra
Liberty University
Introduction
Christian Coaching Helping Others Turn Potential into Reality is written by Gary Collins, and
the author has a depth of experience in coaching and writes the book in the manner of easy to
read and easy to understand. Collins offers simply steps to understanding on how coaching can
be more effective for the beginner. The book is a great read and a great resource but it does have
its limitations with regards to biblical application. Collins offers scriptures to support the actions
of coaches but fails to show application of biblical scriptures to the field of coaching. He clearly
defines the differences of discipleship and coaching, but approaches the career field of coaching
from a purely professional mindset. Not that this is bad, but coaching does involve the act of
relationship building, not just provided guiding steps to the success of an individual, it is about
building a relationship, establishing trust, walking the road with them, and encouraging the after
they have accomplished their goals and desires. The book is a great first read for those
considering coaching, as it does provide a great overview of what coaching entails to include
guidelines coaches should consider. Such as ethics, emotional attachments, and concerns
individuals have with coaches in general.
Christian Coaching
The reading of books for the purpose of increasing knowledge or improving skills is a passion of
mine. Leadership books in particular are my choice of reading. Collins’ book is a great read and
will be a great resource that will have my personal comments and tagged pages included. This
book has created an excitement in me to study and become the best Life Coach Impossibly can.
Life coaching+is, in general terms, the process of coming along side someone and helping them
identify+where they are, where they want to be and how to get there. Christian coaching takes
that concept and moves it into the light of Scripture and frames it in a Christian worldview.
Based on the concept that God has a plan for your life and is eager to enable you to live it,
Christian coaching facilitates your discovery of that plan and encourages you as you flesh it out.
It is different from counseling. Counseling focuses on the past and how to recover from its
effects so you can function well in the present. Christian coaching looks forward and encourages
you to develop strategies for overcoming obstacles and achieving dreams.
It is also different from mentoring. A Christian mentor encourages growth by imparting what
God has given him or her. A Christian coach draws what God has given you out where you can
use it.
Consider a personal trainer, she works with you first to determine where you are, where your
weaknesses and strengths lie and together you decide what you can realistically expect to achieve
and how to do it. She is all about you, providing encouragement and accountability, keeping you
focused on the ultimate goal and urging you to stretch out of your comfort zone because she
knows you can do it.
Christian coaching provides you with a similar relationship. It is all about you. Your coach helps
you rekindle hope and shines the light of God's grace on the dreams He put in your heart. She
encourages you and holds you accountable, helps you plan and cheers you on to become who
God created you to be. She holds you up in prayer and is the keeper of your dreams.
Why Would I Hire a Christian Coach?
Church is, of course, critical to our growth as Christians. However, there can be a disconnect
between what we are taught, and the application of that knowledge to our unique circumstances.
Christian coaching is not about telling you what to do or teaching you new concepts. It is a
relationship dedicated to listening to you, and believing with you that God will show up and
bring His power to bear on your life, enabling you to fulfill the purpose for which He created
you.
How Do I Choose a Christian Coach?
How do you choose a doctor or a day care or a new car? Sometimes you start with
recommendations from others, and sometimes you just see something you like. But you always
get up close and personal before you make a commitment. Choosing a Christian coach works
that way, too.
Here are six things to look for as you decide on which coach is right for you:
Has the coach been through a professional certification program, and does he or she hold
a coaching certification?
How much coaching experience does the coach have?
Does the coach's training and preferred niche fit your needs?
What kind of career or ministry experience does the coach have?
Does the coach offer a free complimentary session?
Do you feel comfortable talking to this coach?
What's the Difference Between a Christian Coach and a Spirituality Coach?
Training for a Christian coach is facilitated by a group of professional Christian coaches and is
approached from a distinctly Christian perspective. Its basis is a fairly conservative, evangelical
nondenominational theological framework. Christian coaching uses most of the skills, principles
and strategies of professional coaching, but applies them through the lens of Scripture and within
a distinctly Christian worldview. This means that some of the most foundational assumptions
differ from those of a non-Christian coach.
For example, a basic assumption for a secular coach could be, we create our own reality. We are
the scriptwriter and the director of our life drama, as well as the star. It is our responsibility to
write a script that maximizes the good things and eliminates the bad things. We can attract
people and success into our lives by intentionally seeing and feeling what our best life could be.
What’s the Difference between Christian Coaching and Counseling?
Counseling is different from coaching in that it is a form of therapy and recovery. A counselor
deals with an individual’s past and their need for healing whereas a coach deals with the
individual’s future and the process of taking that person from being stuck or in a conflict in their
life, marriage, or career to unstuck with a solid plan to move forward.
Another thing that is different between counseling and coaching is the level of education or
training required. Counselors have a master’s degree in either counseling, mental health
counseling, social work, or another related field. Coaching isn’t a regulated field at this point,
however, many coaches have extensive training and are certified in the skills and coaching
techniques necessary to help build towards the future with clients and help them come up with
strategic plans for achieving goals.
While there are differences between counseling and coaching, it often overlaps. Both coaches
and counsellors work to help individuals identify goals, overcome obstacles, and find better ways
of functioning and thriving in life. A coach offers accountability and works with the client to
formulate a plan that’s based on that client’s inner revelations, skills, and personality. The client
is highly active and involved and it’s not a process that involves the coach dishing out advice and
the client trying to apply that advice. It’s a process of discovery.
Many people will say that counseling deals more with dysfunction while coaching deals with
helping clients function better and achieve success. Others will also refer to coaching as helping
individuals turn potential into reality and that’s also a good definition of coaching. Both
counselors and coaches, however, are trained to help clients discover, set, and achieve goals.
Both can be incredibly beneficial, and it may come down to what you believe is the best fit and
what resonates with you about a particular coach or counselor and their skillset. You might also
really love the growth you’ve seen in an individual or couple and choose to work with a coach
based on a testimonial and referral. If you’re trying to heal from past wounds, emotional distress,
or trauma, counseling is likely what you need. If you’re trying to grow or advance in your life,
marriage, or career and want to take something specific to the next level, coaching is a great
option for you in terms of development and advancement.
How Does Coaching Help Me?
Coaching involves asking very thought-provoking and powerful questions to help the client
identify what thoughts, behaviors, or actions might be impacting their lives and what’s standing
in their way. Through coaching, clients become more aware of what it is that’s shaping their
lives and they learn how to think through and process those things in a structured way to make
decisions rather than stay stuck.
Is Christian Coaching Like Discipleship?
Discipleship is more focused on teaching individual biblical truth or spiritual disciplines and
often involves Bible studies, group discussion, or a mentor-mentee type of relationship. While
there can be similarities, the focus of coaching is not necessarily to grow spiritually but to use
scripture or biblical truths to better function in life, reach goals, or overcome obstacles. Christian
coaching is an excellent tool to help you better function in your career, life, or relationships. If
you’re stuck in an area of your life or need help discovering what’s holding you back and
coming up with an action plan to hit your goals, you can learn more about our Christian coaching
by clicking here.
References
Collins, G. (2014).+Christian coaching: Helping others turn potential into reality. Tyndale
House.
Duncan, P. (2012). Examining how the Beliefs of Christian Coaches impact their Coaching
Practice.+International Journal of Evidence Based Coaching & Mentoring.
Egli, T., Czech, D. R., Shaver, G. W., & Biber, D. D. (2014). The experience of Christian prayer
in coaching: a qualitative investigation.+Journal of Psychology and Christianity,+33(1), 45.
