Do you have the space to engage in Mentoring, Supervision, and Coaching in your ministry practice?
Coaching, Mentoring, and Supervision are crucial aspects of ministry. They all relate to the concept of discipleship, which is exemplified by the biblical examples of Jesus with the disciples, Paul with Timothy, and Naomi with Ruth. At it's best it help's us in our engagement in the mission of God for all creation.
Coaching, Mentoring, and Supervision are crucial aspects of ministry. They all relate to the concept of discipleship, which is exemplified by the biblical examples of Jesus with the disciples, Paul with Timothy, and Naomi with Ruth. At its best it helps us in our engagement in the mission of God for all creation.
The Vital Leadership team is conducting Mentor Training in May and Coaching for Ministry in August. If you are a ministry leader, I particularly encourage you to consider participating in this offering. One of the books I will be referencing in our coaching training is "Integrated Experiential Coaching" by Lloyd Chapman. In this book, Lloyd discusses the essence of coaching within the context of religion and psychology, positioning it as a craft rooted in experience, spirit-based growth, and learning, rather than rigid doctrines, prescriptive disciplines, and practices. The book is Lloyd's personal journey through the development of a unique coaching model that combines art with science, with the aim of inspiring readers to explore and evolve their own methodologies.
Historically, religion served as the primary conduit for individual and communal growth and development, especially in the Western context where Christianity dominates. However, the Reformation sparked a significant shift towards abstract conceptualisation and religious dogma, sidelining personal experience to some extent until Methodism, some aspects of evangelical revivals, and later the charismatic movements, with a continued expression in Catholic and Orthodox mystical and contemplative traditions. At a similar time, psychology emerged as a new domain for exploring the human spirit, which thrived on openness and inquiry until it also became dogmatic and diagnostic-focused. Coaching is presented as the latest evolution in disciplines fostering human development of the spirit, characterised by its resistance to dogmatism and conformity and its foundation on the diverse disciplines that preceded it (like religion and psychology). While it colludes with the contemporary philosophical drives of self-actualisation and existentialism more generally, it is also focused on a soulfulness of personhood that encounters, experiences, learns, and grows. In this space, there is theology, spirit, transformation, and flourishing as creatures of creation, creatures of a creator in discipleship, ministry, and mission.
According to Lloyd, coaching is not merely a set of techniques but an integration of thinking involving scientific research and creative experiential learning. The development of a coaching practice is seen as a deeply personal process, reflecting the individuality of the coach and coachees. This process is rooted in the concept of "Personology," which emphasises the creative uniqueness of every individual and the potential for each coach to develop a distinct approach with a vocational focus on the flourishing of the whole human person in life, ministry and mission.
The Church values Mentoring and Supervision, and more so these days, coaching. Creating the space for someone to come alongside another in self-exploration and reflection, encouraging different ways of seeing things, and charting and discerning how to be in particular contexts is highly valuable. Developing the craft of coaching that engages a continuous cycle of experiential learning, reflective observation, abstract conceptualisation, and active experimentation in a creative dialogue of wayfinding and discernment for life, ministry, and community is a real gift.
Do you have the space to engage in Mentoring, Supervision, and Coaching in your ministry practice? Is this working for you?
Would you like to grow in your practice of offering Mentoring, Coaching, or Supervision for others?
Uniting Mission and Education's Vital Leadership team has a number of offerings that you may be interested in. Check out these offerings here, or reach out to Rev. Ben Gilmour, Director of Vital Leadership, to discuss in more detail - beng@nswact.uca.org.au
Mentoring, Supervision, and Coaching Opportunities
The Vital Leadership Team run regular courses and training in the Mentoring, Supervision, and Coaching space. Check out what is coming up.