The greatest asset to ministry teams is volunteers – and the greatest weakness is a church that doesn’t have a pulse on their volunteer teams. Proactively assessing volunteer teams and individual volunteers can build and maintain healthy relationships, prevent burnout, and create synergy for the mission.
Assess – 80% of the problem starts here:
When you take the time to determine what your real needs are in a ministry it will provide clarity and confidence when you begin the recruiting process. Assessment is an important exercise before your recruitment begins. Assessment answers the question, “Why do I need this particular role filled?”
Clarify for yourself why it is important to fill the role before asking anyone to join.
If your “why” is unclear your “what” lacks sharpness
Identify the Key Result Areas you want this role to fulfill
Best Practice:
Consult with others who have already done what you aspire to do.
Who do you know that has already filled a role like you are attempting to fill?
What did they do?
What else can you learn from their experience?
Recruit – personalize the invitation to serve:
A general announcement from the stage will generate a certain level of interest from the crowd. Contrast that with a conversation over a cup of coffee to learn the person’s vision for their life, goals, and passions. In that context, share what you see in the person and what they would bring to the role. Explain the responsibilities, the support that you or someone else will provide, and then ask them what you want them to consider. Give them a week to pray about the opportunity and then follow up.
Know what you are looking for in the person you are engaging
Understand the type of person that will be a good fit
Personally invite people into the role
Best Practice:
Use assessments to assess various aspects of a person’s attributes, such as:
Spiritual Gift
Behavioral Style
Strengths
Interests
Team Values
One of my go-to assessments for this information is the GripBirkman. You can assess the 5 areas above individually or combined (in one assessment).
CLICK HERE if you would like to take the assessment along with a 1-hour debrief.
Support – be intentional about providing support.
The challenge for recruiting and retaining volunteers is to find ways to support them so that they do not become weary. A regular rhythm of meeting as a team, individual check-ins, and fun team-building activities is so, so important to building a healthy team culture.
Keep a pulse on the level of engagement and fulfillment they are experiencing in their role about every 6-12 months to avoid burn-out!
Informally ask team members how they are doing. Use these conversations to get a sense of how they are engaging in the role you’ve asked them to fill. If you are not their direct supervisor, ask their team lead to check-in periodically. This will help to avoid team members from stagnating in their role.
This is the biggest reason volunteers claim, “I am too busy.”
Best Practice:
Team Huddles are a great environment to reinforce team culture by reviewing your ministry values. For instance, Gina and I are part of a new church plant and every Sunday about 30 volunteers help make the experience warm, inviting and fun. After setup and before the first service preparation gets going, we meet together for about 15-20 minutes to gather all the volunteers together for Leadership Community to remind people of our “why”. The Huddle is sort of the head of the spear for all of our Sunday morning volunteers. We lead the Welcome Team and hold a more personal, scaled down version with our team to share the following:
What’s on your mind this morning?
How can we pray for you?
Then we close our time in prayer for each other with full participation by each member. One-sentence prayers are an easy and comfortable onramp for our people to exercise that muscle. Then we go off to our various assignments!
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The #1 reason why staff suffer unnecessarily – lack clarity about their job.
I learned this early in ministry. When I met with a prospective ministry team leader I needed to be clear on what I was asking them to do. The more clarity I had the easier the conversation. If what I was asking of them was not clear in my own head, then I had a difficult time communicating what I needed.
For instance, in approaching a conversation to engage a prospective ministry team leader, I found that I needed to have the job written out so that I understood what I was asking the person to do and what I would be providing them. With this document in hand, I felt this both respected the person AND forced me to think this through carefully to the degree I felt confident.
Clarify Expectations
Clarify expectations in a job description.
Include Key Result Areas (KRAs)
Make the outcomes measurable
Provide regular coaching
Make course corrections
Most job descriptions read more like “suggestions for employee consideration”, lacking precision and “teeth”.
I have reviewed close to 100 job descriptions over the last 5 years to conduct assessments on pastors and para-church leaders. Out of that pool, I found very few had a job description with the precision necessary to have a productive conversation between employer and employee.
What to do when staff lose focus?
The primary thing lacking in job descriptions is clarity. Enough clarity so that you could, if necessary, record the actual behaviors and outcomes you envision to successfully fulfill the role. Then, write that out. Once you have that out of your brain and in writing, meet with your staff member and unpack your expectations until they are crystal clear on what you want from them.
What do you think it costs you and your ministry for a bad hire?
“It is estimated that it could cost you up to five times a bad hire’s annual salary” (SHRM Study).
This is on you, the employer. There are best practices to vet prospective employees to determine suitability, and there is a difference between eligibility (what most interviewing processes vet) and suitability. If you want to read about the differences between those two – CLICK HERE.
What to do when you are getting mixed results from your hiring process?
There are numerous tools in the ministry marketplace to determine team fit, personality, temperament. spiritual gifting, and behavioral style. But one that assesses suitability, called the Harrison, includes a Reliability Score that determines if the person being assessed is being truthful, self-aware, and paying attention as they take the assessment. You can read more about the Harrison assessment – CLICK HERE.
Principle #3 – SUPPORT
The #3 reason why staff suffer unnecessarily – lack of support.
At some point most staff will hit a wall in their work due to personal or professional reasons. They may be going through strife in their marriage or lack skills affecting their job performance. Realistically, most staff will benefit from a regular rhythm of 1-1 coaching. The rhythm will vary from staff member to staff member, but in my experience, 28 days should not pass before you have a 1-1 scheduled with your team member. Why 28 days?
I borrowed this from Rick Warren, who said that about every 28 days he needed to remind the church community gathered at Saddleback Community Church of the vision. I extracted from that a principle in coaching: about every 28 days, staff members need to be reminded of their vision and have a clarifying conversation about how they are progressing towards the ministry outcomes they were chasing. Your rhythm, given the needs of the staff member, will vary.
Chances are the busyness of ministry trumps team meetings and 1-1s. “Meetings” get a bad reputation: “meeting for the sake of meeting”, “waste of time”, “lack focus and purpose” – are just some of the criticisms shared by many church staff members. Many are justified!
What can you do to break the cycle of poorly executed team meetings and one-to-ones?
Commit
Communicate expectations including:
Purpose
Frequency
Agenda
Do it!
There are platforms that support effective team meetings and 1-1s. Some clients use the LEADR platform with impressive results. Whatever you choose, use it consistently and help your staff engage in the process. Persistence is the key.
Checkout these coaching resources to support your staff members:
Have you ever felt the fire of faith ignite within you, but struggled to ignite it in others? You’re not alone. Many passionate believers yearn to create disciple-making movements, but lack the essential tools.
The truth is, disciples are made, not born. It’s a journey, and equipping yourself is crucial. But where do you even begin? How do you grow as a disciplemaker?
This is exactly what I wrestled with. The journey began a few years ago and continues. Currently, I am leading a group with my wife in a new church plant. We discovered a powerful framework called 3-Thirds (Looking Back, Looking Up, Looking Forward) used worldwide to ignite disciple-making movements. What makes the group powerful is that this approach is simple, coach-driven, and replicable, making it perfect for multiplying passionate disciplemakers like yourself. We did not create it. And, if you are interested in learning more about 3-Thirds Groups: CLICK HERE.
But what about the disciplemaker themselves? What support do they need to thrive?
Here’s the exciting part: I identified 5 key habits that form the foundation of a sustainable disciple-making movement:
Missional Values: Live a life that reflects your purpose as a Jesus follower.
Active Prayer: Fuel your journey with constant communication with God.
Relational Connections: Build deep, meaningful relationships with people far from God.
Disciple-making Cycle: Master the process of equipping others to follow Christ.
Strategic Partnership: Find allies who share your vision and multiply your impact.
Ready to take action?
Find your starting point: Take the FREE Discipleship Quiz and discover your strengths and weaknesses as a disciplemaker.
Fuel your growth: Join the Discipleship Collective and receive ongoing support while mastering the 5 habits.
Bonus Revelation: Our 3-Thirds Group experience highlighted a crucial element – listening to the Holy Spirit. New believers crave this guidance, and incorporating it accelerates the newest disciple’s growth.
Want to learn more?
Get details on the 5 habits and the Discipleship Quiz (it’s FREE!)
Explore the 3-Thirds framework
Reach out and share your own experiences (greinecke@infocusnet.org)
Don’t wait any longer. Unleash the disciplemaker within and start your journey today!
Become an InFocus Partner
Invest in leaders who are transforming lives and join the InFocus community. Together, let’s create a ripple effect of faith and love.
For over a decade, I excelled as a Christian coach, consistently receiving high marks in all areas except one: Abiding in Christ. This low score wasn’t just disappointing; it haunted me. As someone passionate about empowering others and leaving a lasting legacy of faith, I craved to understand why this core competency felt out of reach.
The Spark: Igniting a Deeper Connection
Driven by my desire to be the best coach possible, I embarked on a three-year journey of personal growth. This wasn’t about chasing perfection, but about deepening my connection with Christ, the very foundation upon which I coach. This pursuit ignited a passion within me, not just for my own growth, but to help others cultivate a thriving relationship with God.
The Gift: Empowering Others on Their Journey
The result? A transformative quiz designed specifically for Christian coaches to assess and strengthen their “Abiding in Christ” competency. This quiz equips coaches with five key areas for self-reflection: Discernment, Questions, Clarification, Action, and Listening. These elements are the building blocks for fostering a deeper connection with the Holy Spirit, both in themselves and in those they coach.
The Call to Action: Your Journey Begins Now!
This quiz isn’t just about identifying weaknesses, it’s about taking practical steps towards growth. It’s about igniting a fire within yourself and those you coach. Click Here to take the FREE Coach Quiz and embark on your own transformative journey of Abiding in Christ!
Become an InFocus Partner
Invest in leaders who are transforming lives and join the InFocus community. Together, let’s create a ripple effect of faith and love.
This blog aims to serve as a resource for leaders to use and guide their faith community through this meaningful season.
Lent offers a crucial opportunity to deepen the spiritual journeys of your faith community and cultivate a vibrant sense of curiosity for not-yet-followers of Jesus and followers of Jesus alike. However, sustaining engagement throughout Lent can present challenges. This coaching guide draws upon principles from Christian Coaching Essentials to empower you in leading your community through a meaningful Lenten experience.
A Defining Moment
As you guide your faith community through Lent, this season presents a powerful opportunity for contemplation and deeper understanding. Today, I want to share some reflections on this poignant moment, not only as a spiritual event, but also as a lens through which we can examine your own leadership, your ministry, and your community.
The Duality of Hosanna:
Luke 19:28-44 highlights the fascinating duality of the word “Hosanna.” On the surface, it’s a joyous cry of praise. But its Aramaic root, “Oshana,” reveals a deeper meaning: a desperate plea for salvation. This hidden layer adds complexity to the scene on Palm Sunday. The crowds weren’t just celebrating a triumphant leader; they were also yearning for deliverance, perhaps from Roman rule or their own struggles.
Jesus’ Knowing Sacrifice:
The passage emphasizes that Jesus understood the true cost of his upcoming sacrifice. He knew the celebratory cheers would soon turn to cries for his crucifixion. Yet, his love for humanity compelled him to persevere. This adds a layer of poignancy to his journey into Jerusalem.
The Invitation to Self-Reflection:
The account confronts us with our own human flaws. We are reminded that we, like the Jerusalem crowd, are capable of both praising Jesus and contributing to his suffering through our sins. This introspection can be a powerful call to humility and repentance.
Spiritual Disciplines for Growth:
The passage goes beyond simply conveying the story. It offers practical ways to deepen your faith during Holy Week and beyond. It introduces the concept of “spiritual disciplines,” practices that can strengthen your connection to God. Examples include:
Bible Reading and Study: Regularly engaging with scripture allows you to learn from God’s word and receive guidance.
Worship: Expressing praise and adoration to God through singing, prayer, or simply reflecting on his majesty.
Prayer: Building a two-way conversation with God, sharing your joys, struggles, and petitions.
Service: Putting your faith into action by helping others in need.
Fasting: Abstain in some significant way from food and possibly from drink as well.
Reflection as a Tool for Growth:
The passage concludes with questions for reflection. Taking time to ponder these questions can be a powerful tool for personal growth:
How has your understanding of Jesus’ sacrifice evolved over time?
What aspects of the Holy Week story resonate most with you this year?
How can you use the coming week to draw closer to God?
Which spiritual disciplines feel most appealing to explore?
By reflecting on these points, you can personalize your Lenten experience and deepen your connection to the message of sacrifice and salvation.
Become an InFocus Partner
Invest in leaders who are transforming lives and join the InFocus community. Together, let’s create a ripple effect of faith and love.
This week, as we reflect on the Stations of the Cross, let’s look at the image of Jesus falling for the second time. Even with help from Simon and the tenderness of Veronica, Jesus stumbles. This isn’t the first obstacle – he’s been beaten, mocked, and forced to carry the weight of the world. But this second fall feels different. It’s a moment of utter exhaustion, a crushing weight that threatens to keep him down.
Can you relate? We all face challenges. We get knocked down, dust ourselves off, and keep going. But then life throws a curveball – the death of a loved one, a job loss, a broken relationship. These aren’t just bumps in the road; they’re like trudging up a slippery hill, feeling like you’re constantly sliding backwards.
But here’s the truth: Jesus gets it. His second fall isn’t weakness; it’s a profound reminder that sometimes perseverance feels like an uphill battle.
What if we could prevent these moments of crisis? Imagine a world where marriages thrive instead of ending in divorce. What if, instead of just reacting to problems, we focused on strengthening the roots of our faith?
The answer lies in “deep work” with Jesus. Just like a wilting plant needs more than a quick watering, our spiritual lives need focused attention. This might involve practices like:
Solitude: Finding quiet space to connect with God.
Silence: Stilling our minds to hear God’s voice.
Fasting: Denying ourselves something to focus on God.
Sabbath: Taking a break to rest and recharge in God’s presence.
These aren’t about feeling guilty or missing out. They’re tools to cultivate a deeper relationship with God, a wellspring of strength to draw from during those inevitable moments when you feel like you’re falling.
So, take a deep breath. Remember, Jesus kept going. Find your source of strength, and take that next step, even if it feels like a small one.
Who will walk with you on this journey? Consider a spiritual director or a trusted friend to offer encouragement and support.
Because perseverance isn’t about never falling. It’s about choosing to get back up, again and again.
Reflection Questions for you and your community:
How do you most naturally encounter Jesus?
How are you nurturing your relationship with Jesus?
How are you creating space for people in your community to encounter Jesus?
What challenges or opportunities is your community facing?
What is your vision for the future of your community?
Stay tuned for the next installment, where we’ll delve deeper into practical tips and resources to equip you in leading your community through the remaining weeks of Lent.
Upcoming Webinar
Join me for an informative conversation with Ben Ingebretson of Coram Deo as we discuss coaching and multiplication, on Wednesday, March 20 @ 9:30am PST. Here is the Zoom link – CLICK HERE.
Become an InFocus Partner
Invest in leaders who are transforming lives and join the InFocus community. Together, let’s create a ripple effect of faith and love.
As we embark on the fifth week of Lent, this blog series aims to equip you in guiding your faith community through this transformative season. Lent offers a powerful opportunity to not only deepen the spiritual journeys of your existing members but also to spark curiosity and a yearning for connection among those yet to embrace Christ.
A Shared Reflection on the Fifth Station (Week 5):
This week, as we contemplate the fifth Station of the Cross – Jesus falling for the first time – we are presented with a poignant reminder: Jesus, fully human, experienced physical limitations and exhaustion. This humbling moment underscores his immense strength and perfect love, for it was these that propelled him to rise and continue his journey.
Let’s use this reflection not just as a spiritual contemplation, but also as a lens to examine our own leadership, ministry, and community. Perhaps we, too, have experienced moments of falling – setbacks, challenges, or feelings of exhaustion. But within these moments lies the opportunity to rise again, fueled by faith and a renewed commitment to serving our community.
Understanding the Seasons of the Soul:
Our spiritual lives, much like the natural world, experience distinct seasons. There are times of consolation, bathed in the warmth of God’s presence and overflowing with joy. However, these periods of bliss can give way to desolation, a chilling sense of isolation where doubt creeps in and leaves us adrift. Further complicating our path is our natural inclination towards resistance. When God nudges us towards growth, we may find ourselves clinging to familiar routines and patterns.
Finding Strength in Community:
Discerning these spiritual states can feel overwhelming, like navigating a labyrinth in the dark. This is where the beauty of community shines. Lent is not meant to be a solitary trek. Seek out a spiritual friend, a trusted companion who walks alongside you, offering a safe space to share your struggles, joys, and uncertainties. Together, you can shed light on the path ahead, discerning God’s whispers even in the quietest moments.
Reflection Questions for Week 5:
Recall a time when compassion helped you during a difficult season.
Who in your life needs your compassion right now?
How can you actively show more compassion to others this week?
Halfway Check-In: Reflecting on Your Lenten Journey (Week 5):
Take a moment to reflect on your Lent experience so far. Has it met your expectations? How does it compare to past Lents? What emotions or thoughts have surfaced during your contemplation of the Stations of the Cross? As you look towards the remaining weeks, what do you hope to gain from this sacred time?
Guiding Your Community Through Transformation (Week 6):
The Holy Spirit, for generations, has been the guiding force on our faith journey. Today, we stand on the legacy of the early disciples, who themselves walked a path of transformation. Their wisdom offers a profound framework, a three-fold journey of spiritual awakening, to nurture those seeking to follow Christ:
Purgation: This initial phase acts as a crucible of self-discovery. Here, the Holy Spirit illuminates our shortcomings, prompting us to confess and seek forgiveness. This surrender is crucial, for only on cleansed ground can true growth take root.
Illumination: Empowered by the Holy Spirit, the scriptures become a radiant guide. Through their pages, Jesus himself draws us closer, revealing the depths of his love and sacrifice. Our understanding of faith expands, and a yearning for deeper connection blossoms.
Union: Finally, we arrive at Union, where the transformative power of Christ takes hold. We recognize our complete dependence on him, and a profound sense of oneness takes root. Christ before us, leading the way. Christ beside us, a constant companion. Christ within us, a wellspring of strength and love.
Leading with Renewed Purpose:
While contemporary expressions of faith may vary, this core progression remains the blueprint for authentic discipleship, the very path our spiritual ancestors trod. By understanding these phases and drawing upon the wisdom of Christian Coaching Essentials, you are empowered to guide your congregation on a transformative Lenten journey. Through this shared experience, faith will be strengthened, connections will deepen, and your community will emerge closer than ever before.
Stay tuned for the next installment, where we’ll delve deeper into practical tips and resources to equip you in leading your community through the remaining weeks of Lent.
Upcoming Webinar
Join me for an informative conversation with Ben Ingebretson of Coram Deo as we discuss coaching and multiplication, on Wednesday, March 20 @ 9:30am PST. Here is the Zoom link – CLICK HERE.
Become an InFocus Partner
Invest in leaders who are transforming lives and join the InFocus community. Together, let’s create a ripple effect of faith and love.
Welcome to the third week of Lent! This blog aims to serve as a resource for leaders to use and guide their faith community through this meaningful season.
Lent offers a crucial opportunity to deepen the spiritual journeys of your faith community and cultivate a vibrant sense of curiosity for not-yet-followers of Jesus and followers of Jesus alike. However, sustaining engagement throughout Lent can present challenges. This coaching guide draws upon principles from Christian Coaching Essentials to empower you in leading your community through a meaningful Lenten experience.
A Defining Moment
As you guide your faith community through the Stations of the Cross this Lent, the fourth station – Jesus meets his mother – presents a powerful opportunity for contemplation and deeper understanding. Today, I want to share some reflections on this poignant moment, not only as a spiritual event, but also as a lens through which we can examine your own leadership, your ministry, and your community.
The Raw Emotion:
Imagine Mary’s anguish as she witnesses her son, battered and burdened, carrying the instrument of his own demise. Imagine the turmoil in Jesus’s heart, knowing the pain he must endure and the responsibility he carries. This encounter is not about detachment, but about acknowledging the raw emotions of pain, grief, and unwavering love that exist between mother and son, even in the face of unimaginable suffering.
A Call to Authenticity:
As leaders, we often feel the pressure to project strength and composure. Yet, the vulnerability and genuine emotions displayed by Mary and Jesus at this station offer a different perspective. Are you allowing yourselves to truly feel the joys and sorrows of your community? Can you acknowledge your own struggles and limitations with authenticity? Perhaps by showing genuine empathy and vulnerability, you can create deeper connections and stronger relationships.
Beyond Sacrifice, Towards Commitment:
While Jesus’ sacrifice is central to our faith, focusing solely on detachment may miss the broader message. Mary, despite her pain, stands with her son. Similarly, our calling as leaders isn’t simply to endure hardship, but to actively engage with the challenges and opportunities our communities face. How can you move beyond passive acceptance and embrace a commitment to action, inspired by love and service?
Reflection Questions:
How do you navigate the challenges of balancing strength and vulnerability in your leadership?
Are there areas in your ministry where you feel a need for deeper connection and emotional engagement?
What actions can you take to move beyond simply enduring challenges and actively work towards building a stronger, more hopeful community?
The Stations of the Cross offer more than just historical reenactments; they provide opportunities for personal reflection and growth. This Lent, let us pause at the fourth station, not just to witness the pain, but to glean insights that can inspire more authentic, compassionate, and impactful leadership.
Lent Challenge:
Confront a difficult area in your life:
What is causing you discomfort spiritually?
What disordered attachments are draining your energy?
How can you lean into the tension of being strong and vulnerable?
Invite your community to engage in difficult areas in their lives:
Use communion as an opportunity during worship services to allow people time to pause, reflect, and present their disordered attachments to the Lord.
Equip your small group leaders to come alongside their group members to help them identify disordered attachments and present them to the Lord.
Provide a tool to help small group leaders (like the Coach Accelerator) to coach their members by listening well, asking powerful questions, discerning the voice of the Holy Spirit – CLICK HERE.
By applying these principles and drawing upon the wisdom of “Christian Coaching Essentials”, you can guide your congregation on a transformative Lenten journey. Through this shared experience, faith will be strengthened, connections will deepen, and your community will emerge closer than ever before.
Become an InFocus Partner
Join a community passionate about making a difference.
Welcome to the second week of Lent! This blog aims to serve as a resource for leaders to use and guide their faith community through this meaningful season.
Lent offers a crucial opportunity to deepen the spiritual journeys of your faith community and cultivate a vibrant sense of curiosity for not-yet-followers of Jesus as well as Jesus followers. However, sustaining engagement throughout Lent can present its challenges. This coaching guide draws upon principles from “Christian Coaching Essentials” to empower you in leading your community through a meaningful Lenten experience.
A Defining Moment
As you guide your faith community through the Stations of the Cross this Lent, the second station – Jesus falls for the first time – presents a powerful opportunity for contemplation and deeper understanding. This is a reminder to us of Jesus’s very physical limits. Jesus came to earth fully human, with the same capabilities as you and me. It must have been a humbling moment, full of pain and exhaustion for Jesus. It was his strong calling and perfect love that pushed Him to get up again.
Today, I want to share some reflections on this poignant moment, not only as a spiritual event, but also as a lens through which we can examine your own leadership, your ministry, and your community.
Reflection and Growth:
Acknowledge the season’s purpose: Emphasize Lent as a time for introspection, examining relationships, work, and faith. Encourage people to slow down and focus on spiritual health.
Connect with last week’s message: Briefly remind your community of the options you presented last week and the Stations of the Cross theme for this week.
1. Jesus’ Example: Falling and Rising:
Relate Jesus’ experience: Describe Jesus carrying the cross, emphasizing his humanity and physical limits. This vulnerability resonates with our own challenges.
Offer comfort and inspiration: Share Psalm 73:2 and discuss facing “loose footing” moments in life. Highlight Jesus as an example of overcoming and the importance of getting back up.
2. Sharing Personal Challenges:
Be vulnerable: Briefly share your “dark night of the soul,” focusing on lessons learned and the importance of navigating challenging times.
Provide practical tools: Offer three specific practices (gratitude, centering prayer, intercessory prayer) that has helped you build spiritual resilience.
3. Addressing Painful Reality:
Acknowledge limitations: Recognize that traditional church approaches might not fully equip people for difficult moments. Discuss the concept of “The Wall” as a metaphor for these struggles.
Identify potential challenges: Briefly mention three reasons why people struggle to overcome hardship (incompatibility, lack of leadership, avoidance).
Encouragement and Reflection:
Emphasize perseverance: Encourage congregation members to press on during challenging times, emphasizing the importance of hard work and personal growth.
Pose reflection questions: Offer a set of thoughtful questions related to overcoming obstacles, learning from failures, and facing current challenges.
Additional Tips:
Consider sharing your own experiences and struggles to encourage vulnerability and connection.
Offer additional resources, such as books, articles, or support groups, for those facing difficulties.
Create a safe and open space for discussion and sharing within your community.
By applying these principles and drawing upon the wisdom of “Christian Coaching Essentials”, you can guide your congregation on a transformative Lenten journey. Through this shared experience, faith will be strengthened, connections will deepen, and your community will emerge closer than ever before.
“The Wall is one of the most difficult parts of the faith journey and it asks more surrender of us than we may think we are capable of.” // The Critical Journey by Janet Hagberg and Danielle Jones
Become an InFocus Partner
Join a community passionate about making a difference.
Welcome to the first week of Lent! This blog aims to serve as a resource for leaders to use and guide their faith community through this meaningful season.
Lent offers a crucial opportunity to deepen the spiritual journeys of your faith community and cultivate a vibrant sense of curiosity for not-yet-followers of Jesus as well as Jesus followers. However, sustaining engagement throughout Lent can present its challenges. This coaching guide draws upon principles from “Christian Coaching Essentials” to empower you in leading your community through a meaningful Lenten experience.
A Defining Moment
As you guide your faith community through the Stations of the Cross this Lent, the first station – Jesus carrying his cross – presents a powerful opportunity for contemplation and deeper understanding. Today, I want to share some reflections on this poignant moment, not only as a spiritual event, but also as a lens through which we can examine your own leadership, your ministry, and your community.
“Then Pilate turned Jesus over to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus away. Carrying the cross by himself, he went to the place called Place of the Skull (in Hebrew, Golgotha).” // John 19:16-17 (NLT)
Carrying a cross at the time of Pontius Pilate was meant to humiliate and torment those condemned to death. To us these many years later, it has come to mean something very different.
In Luke 9:23-24 Jesus said to the crowds following him:
“If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it”.
Carrying a cross is symbolic of surrender and submission to our Lord. It is laying down what the world tells us is important and instead taking up the burden of our faith. Carrying our cross requires deep trust in our Lord, and, like Jesus’s trek toward the Place of the Skull, it can feel harrowing, overwhelming and even hopeless at times. However, we also know that Jesus did not carry it alone; Simon of Cyrene was made to carry his cross once Jesus’s body began to fail him.
Every human needs the help of others to bear our cross.
Internal Reflection:
Before embarking on this journey, engage in self-reflection. Consider:
Community Needs: What burdens, anxieties, or challenges do your members face? How can Lent address these concerns beyond mere ritualistic observation?
Cross-Bearing Interpretation: What does “carrying your cross” signify within your community? Does it involve volunteering, prayer, or internal struggles?
Safe Spaces for Sharing: How can you facilitate environments conducive to authentic vulnerability and mutual support?
Engaging the Spirit and Senses:
Move beyond traditional methods and ignite enthusiasm through:
Sensory Experiences: Craft a contemplative prayer labyrinth, host a silent meditative meal, or organize a service project that promotes action and reflection.
Interactive Elements: Foster small group discussions, invite guest speakers with personal testimonies, or incorporate dramatic or musical elements into services.
Social Media Integration: Share daily scripture verses, Lenten recipe suggestions, or inspirational quotes from your community. Encourage online discussions and challenges.
Community: The Cornerstone:
Cultivate a sense of community:
Small Group Formation: Establish Bible studies, book clubs, or service-oriented groups for meaningful connections and shared growth.
Mentorship Programs: Pair seasoned Jesus followers with seekers to offer guidance and friendship, fostering intergenerational support.
Intergenerational Activities: Plan events that bring different age groups together, promoting a united sense of purpose and belonging.
Inspiring Action:
Sometimes, the most significant step is the first. Motivate your congregation:
Practical Challenges: Encourage specific actions beyond mere “giving up” something. Suggest reducing negativity, dedicating time to specific prayer practices, or engaging in mindful consumption.
Milestone Recognition: Celebrate individual and collective achievements throughout Lent, highlighting progress and dedication.
Real-World Connections: Demonstrate how Lenten practices can translate into real-world impact by supporting local charities or causes relevant to your community.
Leadership with Authenticity:
Remember, “Christian Coaching Essentials” emphasizes the power of vulnerability and genuineness in effective leadership. Don’t hesitate to:
Share Your Own Journey: Openly share your personal Lenten journey, fostering a sense of shared humanity and vulnerability.
Utilize Your Team: Lean on your leadership team, delegate tasks effectively, and leverage individual strengths.
Embrace Experimentation: Don’t be afraid to try new approaches, learning from successes and failures along the way.
Lent Challenge:
Practice Sabbath Rest (Hebrews 4:3 & 9-11)
Solitude: break the power of busyness, haste, isolation and loneliness
Silence: allows the reality of God to stand in the midst of your life (Ps 46:10)
Fasting: finding the actual kingdom of God present in our lives (Matt 4:4)
“Oddly, through intentional times of practicing spiritual disciplines my walk with Jesus has become more spontaneous.” The Key to the Keys of the Kingdom by Dallas Willard
By applying these principles and drawing upon the wisdom of “Christian Coaching Essentials”, you can guide your congregation on a transformative Lenten journey. Through this shared experience, faith will be strengthened, connections will deepen, and your community will emerge closer than ever before.
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