Guidelines for Ministry Coaching

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1. Schedule Regular Sessions

Both coaches and coachees should commit to meeting at least twice a month to ensure ongoing dialogue, consistent progress, and timely follow-up on spiritual disciplines, relationships, evangelism, and coaching commitments. If you choose to meet more frequently, consider alternating your focus by dedicating some sessions to ministry coaching and others to studying lessons from The Discipleship Series. For example:

  1. Weeks 1 and 3: Ministry Coaching (prioritize these ministry coaching sessions)

  2. Weeks 2 and 4: Studying Lessons from The Discipleship Series

2. Trust God to Lead and Develop You

God calls each of us to be lifelong learners, whether we are stepping into the role of a coach for the first time or the tenth. If you feel inadequate or uncertain—especially when considering the responsibility of coaching others—take heart. God will faithfully guide and equip you with the wisdom, grace, and patience needed for the journey, one step at a time. As a coach, your role is to gently walk alongside the coachee, helping them grow in four key areas: their relationship with God, their relationship with others, evangelizing non-Christians, and discipling fellow believers. Remember that your own growth is part of this process. As you receive guidance and continue to learn, you will become increasingly equipped to invest in others. Be patient with yourself, trust the process, and have confidence that God will transform and use you to impact the lives of others for his glory.

3. Begin, End, and Continue with Prayer

Begin each meeting with prayer—asking God to grant both you and your partner supernatural honesty, openness, and wisdom as you discuss effective ways to evangelize and disciple those in your respective networks. End each meeting by praying for personal growth, for all the individuals in your lives (both believers and non-believers), and for the continued effectiveness of your ministry coaching process. Throughout the week, commit to praying consistently for one another, your families, and your ministry appointments.

4. Married Couples, Men with Men, and Women with Women

Married couples are encouraged to engage in ministry coaching together, with husbands (as the leaders of their household) coaching their wives to strengthen their ministry efforts. In other settings, ensure that men coach only men and women coach only women. Maintaining these clear boundaries is essential to protect the integrity of your relationship and to keep the focus squarely on spiritual growth and accountability.

5. Remain in Your Roles

In every ministry coaching relationship, both parties should be clear about their roles. The coach is there to guide and mentor, helping the coachee grow in their relationship with God, in church and family relationships, in evangelistic efforts, and in ministry coaching. While the interaction is mutually edifying, the primary focus must remain on the coachee’s growth. Remember that each participant should have designated times to receive coaching and, when appropriate, to offer coaching to others.

6. Manage Your Time Well

During your coaching sessions, plan to spend 10–15 minutes on each of the four main categories: (1) your relationship with God, (2) your relationships in church and family, (3) reaching non-Christians, and (4) coaching Christians. Then, devote an additional 10–15 minutes to prayer. This balanced approach ensures that you address every aspect of spiritual growth and ministry while leaving ample room for meaningful discussion and reflection.

7. Take Detailed Notes

Both coaches and coachees should keep thorough records of each session, especially in the four main categories (relationship with God, relationships in church/family, reaching non-Christians, and coaching Christians), so that progress can be tracked and reviewed over time. Detailed notes on evangelistic appointments and coaching relationships are invaluable for monitoring growth and refining strategies.

8. Maintain Confidentiality

All discussions and shared personal information must remain confidential to build trust and create a safe, honest space for spiritual growth and accountability. The only exception is when someone is in danger of harming themselves or others, at which point confidentiality must be broken to protect lives and secure appropriate intervention.

9. Ground in Scripture

Base every session on biblical truths and the mission to advance Jesus’s Great Commission. Use Scripture as the guiding framework for discussion, planning, and prayer, ensuring that every conversation is rooted in God’s Word.

These guidelines help create a structured, nurturing environment for spiritual mentoring and accountability, ensuring that each session contributes to advancing the Great Commission.