The Power of Coaches In Ministry
By Brian Cederquist
For over two decades, I’ve been devoted to serving Christ on pastoral staffs. On this incredible journey, I’ve discovered that having the support and guidance of coaches is essential in ministry.
The Value of Community
My theological education played a pivotal role in equipping me to study and understand Biblical truths. It empowered me to communicate God’s Word in a practical and relatable manner to the congregations I’ve served. Education lays the foundation of knowledge, but it’s not the only building block.
Having a community of fellow pastors around me is a source of immense strength. This brotherhood provides encouragement, meaningful conversations, and accountability. And it allows me to break out of my ministry silo and gain fresh perspectives.
Adding to that community, I invited coaches into my life, and they transformed my ministry. I’ve had the privilege of working with many coaches, each specializing in a specific area. Some were individuals providing formal coaching relationships, while others were fellow pastors who generously invested their time to help me grow.
Five Ways Coaches Are Game Changers
Whether formally or informally, coaches are game changers. And their input parallels an interaction between Jethro (a priest) and his son-in-law Moses. “Listen now to my voice,” Jethro told Moses in Exodus 18. “I will give you counsel, and God will be with you.”
Here are five benefits of inviting a coach into your ministry.
1. Coaches provide an outside perspective.
In a world where becoming isolated is easy, coaches offer an external viewpoint.
In counseling Moses, Jethro asked probing questions. (“What is this thing that you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit as judge?”)
Coaches, too, ask probing questions. They also stretch our thinking and challenge us to consider new methods and resources that we may not have discovered in our own contexts.
Like Jethro suggesting that Moses incorporate other leaders, coaches can provide fresh approaches to our ministry challenges. In my own ministry, my preaching coach pushed me to teach narrative passages in a narrative manner, aligning my presentation with the genre of the passage.
2. Coaches help manage emotions.
Ministry can be emotionally charged. Coaches or trusted friends with an outside perspective help us navigate difficult decisions without being driven solely by our emotions.
During a challenging period in my church, my revitalization coach guided me to make wise decisions instead of reacting impulsively based on emotions.
Moses, too, was emotionally invested in the Israelites and needed Jethro’s guidance to detach emotionally.
3. Coaches help communicate problems and solutions.
Leading a congregation requires clarity in identifying problems and solutions. Talking through these issues with a coach compels us to communicate them clearly to an outsider, ensuring that we can communicate them to our congregations as well.
Moses, exhausted and overwhelmed, received help from Jethro in clearly identifying a problem and proposing a solution.
4. Coaches provide accountability.
Each of my coaches held me accountable. I regularly had to submit my messages and progress reports to them, which kept me on track.
If Moses incorporated other leaders, as Jethro advised, that arrangement would provide accountability and leadership development.
5. Coaches are cheerleaders.
An unexpected blessing of inviting coaches into my life was their unwavering support. They cheered me on, celebrated my successes, and stood by me during the toughest transitions in my ministry.
Jethro’s relationship with Moses reflected this same support, as early in their conversation, they rejoiced together over God’s work.
Your Journey with Coaches
Consider the tremendous impact that coaches can have in your own ministry.
Invite godly individuals into your life to help you or your ministry grow in specific areas. Whether you need guidance in preaching, revitalizing your church, or any other aspect of ministry, seek the support of a coach.
Regular Baptist Ministries is here to help.
Connect with Regular Baptist Ministries by clicking on Connect with Us on the RBM homepage (garbc.org) to explore how coaching can benefit your ministry or your role as a ministry leader. You will embark on a journey of growth and learning toward an impactful ministry that will bring glory to God. ✝
Brian Cederquist is lead pastor of Good News Baptist Church, Grand Rapids, Michigan, and a Council of 18 member for Regular Baptist Ministries. He holds degrees from Faith Baptist Theological Seminary (MDiv) and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (DMin) and is a certified Biblical counselor with the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors.
