Turning truth into action: How coaches help church planters

By Dino Senesi

“Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:13 ESV).

Ridesharing describes a wave of new businesses where a person uses their personal automobile to help someone get somewhere. Most of us think of sports when we hear the word coach. But when you think of a church planter coach, think ridesharing. Here is a simple definition: coaching is a vehicle to help people get to the place where God wants them.

A coach helps you get to God’s destination in your life and ministry. Has coaching become a new wave meant to replace learning best practices and proven formulas?

Absolutely not. Coaching builds on this valuable information to help a church planter process, implement and be accountable for what he is learning. We say it this way: Great coaches help leaders turn truth into action.

Inside the Car

Coaching is a relationship that involves intentional, ongoing conversations. The value of coaching increases based on two important factors: how many conversations you have and how often you have them.

We prescribe a one-hour conversation, twice a month, for four consecutive months. Random conversations with a great coach a few times a year would not be as valuable as consistent meetings. Think of church planter coaching as one conversation in eight scheduled installments. A coach rides alongside a church planter offering great questions, encouragement and feedback like: “Look at what God is doing through you and around you.” “Way to go!” “Watch out!”

Here are four simple ways a coach helps:

Planters Affirm the Value of Coaching

Church planters are discovering how valuable coaching can be amidst the multiple challenges of living out their calling:

My coach helps me by encouraging me, helping me to set goals, developing strategies, evaluating effort and staying focused.

– Derrick Wilhelmus, The Bridge

I have so many different voices speaking to me as a church planter … It’s refreshing to be able to stand back and evaluate what they are saying and what direction I need

to take to honour the Lord and what He is saying to me through all of this!

– Terry Branscombe, The Refuge

Iron sharpens iron: coaching has sharpened my focus on fulfilling the vision God has given me as a church planter on Vancouver Island.

– Matthew Bond, Ekklesia Baptist Church

Dino Senesi is the director of coaching for the Send Network at the North American Mission Board.

*This article originally posted in Horizon, the publication of the Canadian National Baptist Convention. Learn more about Horizon here.