People Spots
Online
Produced by James W.
Moss, Sr., and Church Consultants
Provided as a service by New Life Ministries
Coaching Leaders
by James W. Moss, Sr.Name the traveling companions of Paul. You might mention Paul and Silas, Paul and Barnabas, and Paul and Timothy, among others. One of those isn’t right. It was Barnabas and Paul. Barnabas was the senior partner. Barnabas taught Paul everything Barnabas knew about the Christian faith. The fact is the pupil grew larger than the coach.
That is no problem. In fact, I coached a number of pastors who became much better pastors than I ever was or hope to be. Praise God. It is not a matter of ego. It is about serving in the Kingdom. Each of us needs a Barnabas, a more mature Christian, who will teach us all they know about the faith and life. Paul then took a younger man, Timothy, under his wing and taught him all Paul knew. Of course over the years there were many other Timothys for Paul. The fact is we also need Timothys with whom we can share our faith and life experiences.
In my life, I think of Joe Miller. When I came to this job in 1977, Joe took me under his wing and proceeded to teach me everything he knew. He helped to shape my ministry and my life. He was so patient as he carefully explained again and again very basic principles until they began to make sense. He gently pushed through all my objections and lack of understanding. Over several years he spent many hours with me. I am eternally grateful to him. I have tried to follow his example.
Since 1977, I have taken a number of pastors under my wing and attempted to follow suit and teach and guide. My Timothys have come and gone. I spend time with them for a while. Then they move on to other Barnabas’s. Some have gone way beyond my reach. Others will come back and check in every so often. I praise God for the opportunities I have had to shape and mold the ministries of some.
I prefer the term coach to mentor. At least in my understanding, a coach is a much more intentional process. Elton Trueblood (in The Incendiary Fellowship—a book written in the early 1960’s) was the first in my reading to liken a pastor to a coach. My role as a Conference staff person and consultant is to coach pastors. A pastor’s role is to coach and nurture leaders in the local church.
Pastors who will be good coaches must be willing to invest time in key leaders. The intentional development of leaders requires time. Some potential coaches say, "I don’t have that kind of time." This is time we must use so we can ultimately multiply our time through the lives of others.
In 1983 we bought a computer for our office. At first, it seemed like it took longer to use the computer than to do things the old way. After a while, the computer became a time saver. Now I can’t even imagine going back to the IBMSelectric™ typewriter. Every time you invest in a leader you expand your own time and influence.
Characteristics of good coaches
Good coaches discover each person’s uniqueness. I have read that Vince Lombardi’s genius as a coach was his capacity to understand how to treat his various players. Some he left alone, some he simply encouraged, and some he shouted at. He understood the differences and adjusted his style to fit their personalities. Each of the people I have coached is different. I have attempted to adjust my style to make it easier for them to learn and grow.
Good spiritual coaches will assist their players to understand God’s purpose for their lives. I have read several studies that imply as many as 95% of Americans have no understanding of their basic purpose in life. A devoted believer in Jesus will strive to know the will of God and do it.
A good coach will set the players free to play in the game. The best way to learn is by doing. Some coaches never put their players in any game. They think they need more coaching or they are never good enough to play. I was watching a college basketball game. A senior on that team started as a courtesy to having been in the program 4 years. He had only played a few minutes all year. He began to score in this the last game of his career. He played so well the coach had to keep putting him back in. He ended up scoring 20 points. His effort was responsible for upsetting a higher ranked team. I’m sure he wondered what might have happened had he been given the opportunity to play earlier in his college career. Put players in the game.
Give positive reinforcement for behavior you are attempting to cultivate. Affirmation is a key to the process. In addition share a variety of positive and uplifting materials that are designed to encourage.
Expose your people to God’s truth. It is a powerful tool for good.
Good coaches of athletic teams do all they can to place their players in a position to maximize their gifts and skills in order they might win the game. Good spiritual coaches place their constituents in the best possible place to maximize their gifts and skills for the Kingdom’s sake.
Look for a Barnabas and a Timothy in your life.
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Read about Jim's seminars and books.
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June 9, 2003. Volume 6, Issue 4. People Spots Online is prepared by James W. Moss, Sr., and Church Consultants. It is provided as a service by New Life Ministries, www.NewLifeMinistries-NLM.org. Articles may be duplicated and reproduced in any way with proper credit. A new article is produced about every two weeks. To be added to a list to receive these messages directly by e-mail, send a request to churchconsultants@yahoo.com.