Danger Ahead: 3 Ways Coaching Helps Navigate the Fog As a church planter, I’ve often felt like I was driving through a thick fog. I knew where God had called me, and what He’d called me to do. However, the strategies and tactics needed to accomplish the vision of planting a gospel-centered church weren’t always clear. Add people to this confusion, and I ended up with the feeling you have when peering over the steering wheel into a foggy night. Strategic and tactical fog are unnerving and can leave a planter with plenty of questions: What am I missing? Have I taken a wrong turn? Should I turn around? Have you ever felt this way as a planter, pastor, or leader? There are many dangerous things about navigating through fog, but perhaps the most deadly is reduced visibility. We need help navigating the fog so we can see what’s ahead.
Slowing down is essential when driving through fog. As leaders, we are often driving so quickly—trying to plant a church, multiply leaders and disciple people.
Here are 3 ways coaching helps navigate the church planting fog:
1. Coaching helps a planter slow down.
Slowing down is essential when driving through fog. As leaders, we are often driving so quickly—trying to plant a church, multiply leaders and disciple people. We’re seeking to love our families well and simultaneously grow in our own faith. Often the combination of all these things can leave us feeling like the fog has set in. A coach comes alongside a leader in the fog and helps him slow down—just like a speedometer.
2. Coaching helps a planter see clearly.
Being able to see clearly is crucial. When visibility is low, our natural reaction as leaders is to turn on the high beams. However, this often translates to just working harder and faster. A coach asks clarifying, nondirective questions to help the leader navigate his own path more effectively—similar to fog lamps.
A coach prompts a leader to develop clear, measurable action steps that are right for that particular leader and the path he’s on—much like painted lines on a road.
3. Coaching helps a planter move forward in faith.
Moving forward in the right direction, and in the right lane, is essential when driving in the fog. Leaders navigating the fog often lack perspective and the ability to craft action steps to keep moving forward. A coach prompts a leader to develop clear, measurable action steps that are right for that particular leader and the path he’s on—much like painted lines on a road. Are you in the fog and in need of perspective? Coaching may be the thing that will help you slow down, see clearly, and step forward in faith to accomplish all God has called you to. Contact your local Send City Missionary, Church Planter Catalyst, or other church planting leaders for more information about church planter coaching in your area.
Published January 8, 2016
