Coaching from the Sideline

Instead of providing answers to problems, this mentoring strategy guides people to devise their own plays.
by Chad Hall

Carlos called me in a panic. His ministry was suffocating him and his mind was filled with thoughts of leaving. He'd waited until late afternoon to call, and I had thoughts of getting home to mow the lawn. I did not have time to let him cry on my shoulder (or in my ear, as the phone would have it). So I put forth the blunt question I reserve for need-seekers: "Why are you calling me?"

The truth was he was looking for a job connection. I considered hanging up. But rather than send him away empty-handed, I offered to coach him through the situation. I'd recently completed a certification process for coaching, and I figured I could practice my new skills on Carlos with little risk of botching it. After all, he was already prepared to leave the ministry. How much worse could I make it?

He responded to my invitation to coach him with a question of his own: "What's coaching?" Follow this link to finish this article.

Chad Hall is founding pastor of Connection Church in Hickory, North Carolina, and an executive coach. Another one of Chad's web sites is Cool Churches that provides resources for churches on the edge.