by Gary Reinecke | Jun 29, 2018 | Church Growth, Church Multiplication, Coach Training, Disciplemaking, Leader Development |
Chances are, if you are reading this blog – you have been coaching leaders for a while. You probably have a designated space for coaching appointments either in your office, or a quiet place in your home or your favorite “third” space e.g. Starbucks. You might be a pastor, church planter or denominational leader. Where-ever you meet with people or conference by phone; eliminating distractions is paramount.
Here are some common distractions that people endure during a typical workday:
- e-mail
- phone calls
- people interruptions
- multi-tasking (self-inflicted)
- mind-wandering
The list goes on and on, but the environments in which we coach either enrich or detract from our ability to focus. Reality is, distractions are costly: Length of Distraction + 23 minutes & 15 seconds = True Length of Distraction. All well and good. But what can you and I do to combat & win the battle over distractions:
1. Create an uncluttered, “conversational” environment.
2. Shut-down devises – not in use.
3. Communicate to pertinent people (administrative assistant/family members/colleagues) your coaching hours.
4. Stop multitasking – you are not as productive as you think! See How Distractions At Work Take Up More Time Than You Think.
5. Be present: there are many ways to do this. One way I’ve found helpful is a standing desk with a wooden, adjustable stool – see image above. Standing gives me the flexibility to walk around or shift my weight. A wooden stool is not built for comfort and forces me to stay alert! And is good for my back.
These are just a couple of tips to stay engaged during a coaching conversation. What suggestions do you have? Please share your wisdom below – I would love to hear your thoughts.
InFocus is launching it’s first Developing Coaching Excellence Collective to give you an opportunity to sharpen your coaching skills. This is uniquely designed to assist leaders who coach disciplemakers and church planter/multiplication leaders. In addition, since certification is a priority for some, the 10 hours are applicable to the International Coach Federation credentials including the
- Associate Certified Coach (ACC),
- Professional Certified Coach (PCC)
- Master Certified Coach (MCC).
If this is a need you have and would like more information, please click here.
What is one action you will take today to minimize distractions to focus?
Here are a couple of related resources to develop your coaching excellence!
Coaching Skill Builder
Coaching Effectiveness Profile
by Gary Reinecke | Jun 24, 2018 | Church Growth, Church Multiplication, Coach Training |
The World Cup is in full swing now. 6 teams have already qualified, but 10 spots are still up for grabs. It will be an exciting week as each of the groups finish their final round of games to determine who will advance to the Round of 16. My favorite group is Group F with Mexico (6 points), Germany & Sweden (tied with 3 points) and S. Korea (0 points). The final two games will be played on Wednesday this week with the top two spots, still to be decided.
Ironically, Germany who lost to Mexico in the opening match could come out on top of their group with a win over S. Korea and a Mexico loss, versus Sweden. Germany’s coach, Joachim Low, has led the Germans to the final in the last two World Cups – with one championship in 2014. Repeating as World Champions is a massive challenge that only countries have ever managed e.g. Italy (1934–1938) and Brazil (1958–1962).
The pressure is immense. As the game evolves every four years, coaches and players must adapt. This is the challenge Germany face under Low; but if it can be done, Germany will figure out a way.
The same can be said for your ability to support leaders who are planting churches. New methods come and go, cultural attitdues towards church and issues of faith are always at stake in a world that is in a state of change – remember my previous blogs explaining VUCA: Volatile, Uncertain, Complex & Ambiguous. But principles last the test of time. In training church planting coaches I’ve found that a principle-based approach, for the coach to follow, can help coaches support planters as they navigate the life-cycle of a church plant regardless of the model they are implementing, the context they are planting or the challenges they face.
- How long have you been coaching church planters?
- Has it been a while since you attended coach training?
- Do you want to work on your coaching skills to support church planters?
You might be interested in the COACHING Church Planter Collective to revisit or be introduced to a principle-based approach. I would appreciate your feedback on a good time to hold the informational webinar based on the three options available, please click here so that we can schedule the best time to meet as a group, or individually. Look forward to connecting with you!
International Coach Federation (ICF) Coach Mentor Requirement available!
An added value is to apply the 10 hours in the COACHING Church Planter Collective to your ICF Coach Competencies, Mentor Requirement. More information will be available in the overview.
Here are a couple of related resources to apprentice church planters:
COACHING EFFECTIVENESS PROFILE
COACHING INTROVERTS
COACHING EXTRAVERTS
LEADERSHIP MULTIPLICATION PATHWAY STORYBOARD
by Gary Reinecke | Jun 16, 2018 | Church Growth, Church Multiplication, Leader Development |
One of the more fruitful experiences of my development as a coach was was to work with a coach mentor. In fact, this last year I worked with two different coach mentors. “How was this helpful?” you ask.
- Reason #1: fresh insights
- Reason #2: new perspectives
They caused me to rethink my process. Plain and simple.
If you desire to grow and expand in your coaching – find a coach mentor. Someone who is a step ahead. Or has a different approach. Or new perspective. But most of all, find someone that can challenge you in areas that will help you empower leaders from the grass-root church planter to the leader of a multiplication movement.
InFocus is excited to give you an opportunity to sharpen your coaching effectiveness as you coach church planters and mentor other coaches in your network to do the same.
Are you interested in learning more about the Church Planting COACH Collective? I would appreciate your feedback on a good time to hold the informational webinar based on the three time slots available, please click here so that we can schedule the best time to meet as a group, or individually. I look forward to connecting with you!
Learn about the two coach mentor options:
Option #1 – Missional Coach Development
- Customized coach mentoring to develop your coaching effectiveness as you coach church planters and mentor leaders in your network, using a coach approach.
Option #2 – ICF Coach Competencies, Mentor Requirement
- Customized coach mentoring for coaching church planters is available which can be utilized for your ICF, Coach Mentor Requirement for your ACC, PCC or MCC.
Here are a couple of related resources to cultivate a church planting movement:
CONTINUOUS MULTIPLICATION STORYBOARD
CONTINUOUS MULTIPLICATION COACHING GUIDE WITH STORYBOARD
by Gary Reinecke | Jun 3, 2018 | Church Growth, Church Multiplication, Coach Training, Disciplemaking, Leader Development |
Missiologist, Ed Stetzer concludes:
“Church planters who meet with a mentor or coach plant larger and more effective churches than those who do not.”
Think back for a moment. When you have succeeded, fulfilled the mission or “hit the ball out of the park”; what was required?
- Hard work – for sure!
- Discipline – yes!
- Modeling – always!
- Expert advice – you bet!
- Relational support – absolutely!
When I was in high school, all of those played a role in developing my soccer game. I trained hard, both on my own and with the teams that I played. I watched what I ate and made sure I had enough sleep. I mimicked moves of the players I admired. I listened intently to experienced pros. And I had people that I looked to for relational support. It paid off in high school and eventually led to a college scholarship at a nationally ranked, Division I school – San Diego State University.
These same qualities: hard work, discipline, modeling, advice and support are necessary for church planters.
The Church Planting Collective provides an environment where these qualities are nurtured.
Who do you know that would benefit from, and contribute to a Church Planting Collective ?
Here is the Fall schedule for the group sessions*:
- Session #1: September 10, 2018
- Session #2: October 8, 2018
- Session #3: November 5, 2018
- Session #4: December 3, 2018
*All times are: Mondays @ 3:30pm PST (4:30pm MST/5:30pm CST/6:30pm EST)
Attend a free webinar to hear an overview of the Church Planting Collective. Please indicate your availability by clicking here so that we can schedule the best time to meet as a group. Look forward to connecting with you!
Here are some related resources below:
PARENT CHURCH PLANTING STORYBOARD
PARENT CHURCH PLANTING COACHING GUIDE
by Gary Reinecke | May 20, 2018 | Church Growth, Church Multiplication, Coach Training, Disciplemaking, Focused Ministry, Leader Development |
What lesson can we learn from the best coaches in the world?
What do world-class; truly world-class coaches do that set them apart?
Let’s take a look at the world of professional sports and assess what coaches at the highest level do that translates into the ministry world. For instance, take one of the most successful football coaches in European club football – Zinedane Zedane. Not only was he one of football’s greatest players of his generation; but now is approaching his team’s third European Championship in a row. A feat that has only been achieved by Bayern Munich from 1974-1976.
For our purposes, what can we extract from what Zedane does and apply that to how we approach disciplemaking and leader development?
First, Zedane understands the game.
Second, he knows his players.
Third, Zedane makes the right decisions at the right time.
I realize that I am making a leap to suggest that coaching in the sport’s context can have some relevance for coaching in a ministry context; but these are worth consideration.
Let’s take that third one today – Zedane makes the right decisions at the right time.
His knowledge of the game and innate understanding of his players feeds his masterful ability to make decisions that will advance his team odds of winning. Through a couple of key substitutions in the first leg of the semi-final against Bayern Munich, early in the game, the flow of the game changed. They were able to shore up their defense, build up play from the back, advance through the midfield and eventually score. This was not an accident, this was the result of a tactical change made by their coach, Zinedane Zedane.
This Saturday, May 26 we will see how Zedane matches up against his Liverpool counterpart, Jurgen Klopp (see COACHABILITY TRAIT #3 – SMART blog entry). Two extremely knowledgeable football minds with different approaches to the game. Zenedane makes tactical decisions during the flow of the game and Klopp is capable of making adjustments but is unable to alter his approach – all out attacking football. Mind you, this will be a clash of two similar but very distinct styles of play. Should be an exciting match.
What can we learn from Zedane as it relates to coaching in a ministry context? When coaching disciplemakers and leaders, it is imperative that we know when to allow the person to figure the problem out on their own vs. “fixing” or solving the problem for them. When a coach jumps in and fixes the problem it communicates: “I am smarter” than the person they are coaching. This strokes the ego of the leader and in most cases, undermines the development of the person and ultimately, dis-empowers them. But when the coach allows the person the time to reflect, expand their awareness and arrive at their own solutions, people tend to:
- Feel Empowered
- Own the Issue
- Take Action.
These are just some of the benefits of taking a coach approach with people you develop.
Here are three questions for your reflection:
- What has happened when you allow people time to process their thinking and arrive at their own solutions?
- What has happened when you have stepped-in to offer your solution?
- Which approach is more empowering?
Here are three coaching resources I have found helpful to increase your effectiveness as you coach a person to enhance their problem solving abilities:
by Gary Reinecke | May 6, 2018 | Church Growth, Coach Training, Disciplemaking, Leader Development, Personal Development |
What lesson can we learn from the best coaches in the world?
What do world-class; truly world-class coaches do that set them apart?
Let’s take a look at the world of professional sports and assess what coaches at the highest level do that translates into the ministry coaching. For instance, one of the most successful football coaches in European club football is Zinedane Zidane of Real Madrid. Not only was he one of football’s greatest players of his generation; but now is approaching his team’s third European Championship – in a row. A feat that has only been achieved by Bayern Munich from 1974-1976.
For our purposes, what can we extract from what Zidane does that applies to how we approach coaching disciplemakers and leaders?
First, Zidane understands the game.
Second, he knows his players.
Third, Zidane makes the right decisions at the right time.
I realize that I am making a leap to suggest that coaching in the sport’s context can cross-over to coaching in a ministry context. But aren’t these worth consideration?
Let’s take that first one today – Understands the game. Zidane knows what, how and when to makes adjustments so that his teams score, defend and close-out games. What you also sense from Zidane is, he knows how to handle defeat.
For instance, last week Real Madrird played Bayern Munich in the European Cup Semi-Final in a home and away series. In the first leg in Munich, Real Madrid went one goal down early in the match. Zidane made changes to the squad and they fought back, away from home and won the match, 2-1. In the home series it was Real Madrid that proved their superiority once again with a convincing win, thanks to a critical mistake from Bayern’s goalkeeper.
When coaching disciplemakers and leaders, it is imperative we understand the “game”. What I am suggesting is that we must understand the process of making a disciple; and the process of developing a leader; so that we will know how to help people:
- make adjustments
- do what is required to advance
- handle set-backs.
These are just some of the complexities of the “game” that we are asked to play as we coach disciplemakers & leaders.
Here are three questions for your reflection:
- What developmental process (disciplemaking & leader development) has worked for you in the past?
- How do you engage people in a developmental process?
- What would make the process reproducible?
I have found the two coaching resources below helpful to define the pathway for disciplemaking & leader development:
- Making Disciples Storyboard
- Leadership Multiplication Pathway
