Starting a Ministry Coaching Relationship
Whenever you begin a new coaching relationship—whether you are receiving coaching or coaching someone else—it’s important to follow a clear and intentional process.
If you are a ministry coach, ask a Christian if they would be willing to meet with you twice a month for ministry coaching. If you do not have a ministry coach, ask a Christian who is further along in the faith if they would be willing to coach you using the categories outlined on this page.
During your first coaching meeting, read aloud: (1) this entire web page, (2) Ministry Coaching Framework, and (3) Guidelines for Ministry Coaching. Doing so will take you 40 to 60 minutes. For this first meeting, focus solely on understanding the overall approach without answering questions or discussing specific situations. This careful review will help both the coach and coachee fully grasp the coaching format and guidelines, laying a solid foundation for effective, biblically-grounded coaching.
For the second meeting, the coachee should practice sharing The Path to God with the coach to build confidence in sharing their faith. This practice should involve a role play where the coach pretends to be a non-Christian, responding with questions and comments that reflect how a typical non-Christian might engage in the conversation. This structured practice will give the coachee the confidence needed to schedule and lead gospel conversations with non-Christians.
When preparing and sharing The Path to God with others, the coachee should concentrate on the following:
Pray for Boldness and Receptivity: Begin by praying for both personal boldness in scheduling appointments and for those in your network to have open, receptive hearts to God’s work.
Schedule a Clear, Dedicated Appointment: Arrange a 60- to 90-minute meeting using inviting language such as, “Would you be willing to meet to study the Bible on how to know God personally?” or “Can we meet for an appointment so I can share what I’ve learned about my faith with you?”
Ask Thoughtful Questions and Listen Actively: Once you ask a question, stop talking and listen intently, giving ample space for your conversation partner to express their thoughts, especially for the first three diagnostic questions.
Read the Material Aloud Together: Take turns reading the document out loud, pausing to discuss the questions that are listed in the document.
Maintain Patience and Flexibility: Proceed at a comfortable pace, being ready to slow down or revisit key concepts if any confusion arises, ensuring that understanding is built step by step.
Share Your Personal Testimony: When appropriate, briefly recount your own conversion to Christian, such as how you came to understand the nature of turning from your sins.
Encourage Honest, Clarifying Questions: Invite brief comments or questions throughout the session, but guide more complex or tangential questions to a follow-up discussion after you have reviewed the document.
Plan a Follow-Up Session: Conclude the meeting by scheduling a second session to answer additional questions, revisit any challenging areas, and continue exploring The Path to God together.
For all subsequent meetings, follow the ministry coaching framework as outlined in Ministry Coaching Framework.