Hey Coach John

Extreme Church - Reaching Postmoderns

Like it or not, Postmodernism is probably here to stay

What is Postmodernism? Good question huh? Most of us are greatly affected by this cultural phenomenon yet  know very little about it. Let's talk about it. However, instead of me trying to explain it, let's look at a few of its characteristics. After all, we need to understand it to impact it. 

Here’s a quick snap shot of  Postmodernism. Of course, these are is just a few of its characteristics : 

1. Postmoderns do not want to be fixed as much as they want to be heard.

I have a question, are we really called to “fix everybody?” Maybe a more biblical model would be to come alongside and help people take stewardship of their own life.  The soul has an innate need to be expressed, are you a listener?

2. Postmoderns thrive on authenticity.(realness)

Too often in the church we make everybody check their “realness” at the door, best foot forward is the normal protocol. Maybe we need to hear a few more war stories (i.e. real life struggles) from our pulpits. (No skeletons please)

3. Postmoderns enjoy experiencing the journey.

Is it any wonder we live in a culture that craves Extreme Sports? Bungee jumping, sky diving, X- Games? Maybe this needs to spill over into our dry, lifeless churches.  Maybe Extreme-Church would be good. You decide. 

4. Postmoderns crave community.

Text messaging, social networking websites like Facebook and Myspace tell the story don’t they? Too bad we don’t get the message in the church. People are looking for a sense of community. Maybe we need to create more of it in our lobbies and gathering places for starters. i.e. sofas, table, chairs. That's only a beginning place.

5. Postmoderns are high tech.

Overhead projectors are out; believe it or pocket calendars are on the way out, being replaced by PDA’s and fancy cell phones. For most teens, email is taboo, being replaced by text messaging. So do you Twitter? (You’ll get this later)
 
Conclusion:

So you've figured it out, the culture is not what it used to be, right?  I’m not saying that Postmodernism is right, just conveying that its probably  here to stay.  So what are we going to do about it?  Ignore it, pretend it doesn’t exist? Maybe it’ll go away.

Coach John

 

Feedback - The Breakfast of Champions!

Life-giving feedback is a must for all leaders desiring to go to the next level.

Effective leaders know that in order to lead with clarity and precision, accurate feedback is a must. What is Feedback? It’s the art of collecting insight from others and factoring it into your personal leadership equation.

The founder and president of Lifeforming Leadership Coaching, Dr. Joseph Umidi, calls feedback “the breakfast of champions!”

Feedback is a lost art in many Christian circles. Why? Because we’ve mistakenly assumed that by virtue of our calling and anointing we are immune from error. Nothing could be further from the truth. Blind spots abound in all leaders; hence we need of timely input from trusted peers.

To experience life-giving feedback regarding your leadership style, you must be open to respected colleagues in your leadership sphere. Sound dangerous? It can be! Here are a few tips to help you navigate the landmines of leadership feedback:

1. Good feedback originates from those closest to you.

Your most valuable feedback generally comes from your inner circle - those who know you best and love you most. They really can see your blind spots but won’t discharge them until asked.

That person may be a spouse, a best friend – maybe a close co-worker or partner. Never turn a deaf ear to those who care most.

2. Good feedback often comes in the form of a “written feedback.”

Peers and close colleagues often respond best when presented with a list of open ended questions – that is questions that can’t be answered with a mere yes or no response. The more powerful your questions; the better the response.

Written feedback is invaluable; and many will write it clear than they would say it. Some would call it a “360 degree assessment.”

3. Proper response to feedback often requires S.E.A.

S.E.A is an acronym for Support, Encouragement and Accountability. Often, trained coaches are needed to help fill this supportive role.

We generally need someone to walk beside us until the new discipline is formed. Old habits are hard to break!

Conclusion:

As previously stated, many leadership circles today are using another term for feedback called “360 Degree Assessments.” The idea is this; those closest to you are asked to respond to a standardized set of questions regarding your temperament, character and leadership skills.

This evaluation is then compared to your own response to the same questions, thus providing the leader with a clearer view of him or her self - aiding the leader’s self awareness and growth.

An excellent resource for this is an assessment called the “Flippen Profile” by Flip Flippen. FYI, his book is called “The Flip Side,” available at Amazon.

Are you ready for a little feedback? Then go for it! Make a quality decision to become a better leader in 2008!

Coach John

Making a Lasting Impact

Coaches intentionally leave behind a lasting legacy

Would you like to leave a lasting impact long after you’re gone? Coaching is one of the most effective ways to accomplish this task. You see, powerful coaches and mentors leave lasting legacies.

Take Barnabas for example. Early on, he was relatively unknown, a Levite from the island of Crete. It wasn’t until his passion to encourage and coach others kicked in that he became a respected voice to the young and burgeoning New Testament church.

He left such a mark on the first century church that even today, being called a “Barnabas,” is a complement. His coaching legacy lives on.

So you ask, “What can I do to leave a legacy through my life and ministry?” Here are a few things Barnabas did that you too can put into practice.

1. Barnabas saw potential in others

Barnabas believed in people. Coaches do too! When no one would touch the newly converted Saul, Barnabas took him in and methodically coached and encouraged him to greatness.

When we choose to believe in others, they automatically rise to the level of our beliefs about them. What do you see when you look at others? Is it negative traits, problems? Or do you see potential?

Everyone has potential in Christ – we just have to learn to see it.

Barnabas believed in people

2. Barnabas understood the power of meaningful relationships

It’s a fact that you can never become all God wants you to become without others in your life. All great people have great people in their lives.

Barnabas took time to build authentic, transparent relationships with others. It was he who sharpened and honed Paul through a meaningful relationship.

Coaches are relationship oriented.

3. Barnabas was a “linker.”

If Barnabas couldn’t help you, he’d personally connect you with someone who could. Coaches are like that! They naturally connect like minded people. It is a passion for them.

Who are you actively working to link? Many are waiting for that divine “connection.” Waiting to be discovered or initiated to ministry.

Coaches think in terms of “us” rather than “me.”

Conclusion:

Want to leave a lasting legacy, one that outlives you and your lifetime? Then begin to think like a coach. Get some training if needed and develop the heart of a coach.

Need more information about the coaching movement? I’d be glad to help. Contact us by clicking “email me” on this web site.

Coach John

Works Cited: Clinton, J.Robert, Connecting

The Quiet Coaching Revolution - Part II

Esteem growing among evangelicals for the Christian coaching movement

The coaching movement is building up a head of steam as it becomes an increasingly hot topic in today’s world. Hot, because it focuses on the issues that are pivotal for most post-moderns, primarily the issues of personal growth and development.

Coaching also seems to be gaining popularity among traditional Christian organizations. Consequently, many groups are scrambling to catch up with the coaching wave. One such organization is The Navigators, in Colorado Springs Co. If time would permit we could talk of their new and innovative coaching strategy.

In essence, a silent undercurrent of preparation is now emerging that will soon release an army of coaches into the body of Christ worldwide. How will this paradigm shift shape the church? Will it really make a difference? Or is it just another passing trend?

I, for one, believe it will depend largely on the church, and her key leaders. As discussed in last week’s blog, major paradigm shifts must happen in order to embrace biblical coaching. (See last week’s blog, Sept. 30th)

Undoubtedly one of the greatest advocates of the coaching model was Jesus himself. He practiced it on every turn. Have you ever thought about Jesus as a life coach? Watch him in action:

• Jesus’ main model for the development of leaders was the coaching model. He practiced the Hebraic model of relational learning, coupled with real life experiences. (Mk.11:20-23) i.e. teachable moments

• He often asked powerful questions to evoke thought and encourage discussion. He encouraged thinking outside the box. Good coaches today do the same. BTW, Jesus’ answers often came in the form of powerful questions. (Mt. 16:13-19)

• Jesus always practiced genuine authenticity. He broke through barriers by being authentic and transparent, rather than using His title or position. (Jn.4:1-24)

Conclusion:

Some in the church world believe the coaching movement is here to stay. I happen to be one of them.

No, the coaching movement probably won’t take the world by storm; rather, it will influence it little by little as a quiet force, transforming culture one life at a time.

Are you ready for the quiet revolution?

Coach John

The Quiet Coaching Revolution

Christian coaching is challenging outdated and unbiblical leadership models.

COACH – isn’t that a word used in association with an athletic event? Not any more! The coaching movement is alive and well both in the church, and the corporate landscape of America.

As a matter of fact, many businesses and organizations are scrambling to catch up with the coaching wave, implementing it into the very core of their value systems and putting it into practice from the board room to the break room.

Not surprisingly, denominational leaders across America are also incorporating coaching into their ranks. Movements such as the International Pentecostal Holiness Church, the Assemblies of God, and the Southern Baptists are all exploring coaching methodologies in order to better under gird their pastors and ministers for 21st century effectiveness.

So by now you’re asking, “What sets coaching apart from traditional methods of training and discipleship?” In a nutshell, the coaching movement believes that certain learning models must shift in order to better minister to a post modern society. Here are just a few examples to help:

•The old mindset says, “You can’t solve this without me,” thus producing followers rather than leaders. The new coaching paradigm is built upon the premise that leaders take responsibility to steward their own lives.

•The old model says, “Change is a product of information and knowledge.” The new coaching paradigm says, “Change is the function of support, encouragement, and accountability, rather than merely passing on information.”

•The old mindset says, “Most people will never get it right without my help.” The new way says, “I believe in people.”

•The old mindset says, “Here’s what I’d do if I were you.” The new coaching paradigm says, “Let me ask you powerful questions and help you discover what to do.”

Conclusion:

Getting the idea?

Outdated and unbiblical leadership philosophies must begin to shift. New, more biblical methodologies must be embraced. I believe that a quiet coaching revolution is challenging the church to change. Will the church embrace it? Only time will tell. However, in the mean time, check it out for yourself. It could change your life!

Coach John

Works sited: Gary Collins, Christian Coaching, Tony Stolzfus, Leadership Coaching

Me...Coach?

COACH – isn’t that a word used in association with an athletic event? Not any more! The coaching movement is alive and well both in the church, and the corporate landscape of America.

According to the Harvard Business Review, the number of people entering the coaching field has skyrocketed over the last decade. Estimates project at least 10,000 working in the business/corporate industry alone.

Dr. Joseph Umidi, founder and president of the Christian coaching organization Transformational Leadership Coaching International has a vision to train over 10,000 spiritual life coaches in the next 10 years. Wow! Coaching is a hot trend in today's world.

By now, you’re probably asking, “What does this have to do with me- I’m just a common everyday person?” That’s just it - coaches are common everyday people. For the most part, they’re not experts at the top of their game, rather they’re caring, competent individuals who come along side others and offer support, accountability, and encouragement.

The Biblical Model

Is coaching biblical? Absolutely! One of the most prominent examples in the New Testament is Barnabas. (Acts 4 & 5) To understand Barnabas is to understand coaching. Barnabas was an excellent coach who nurtured many into leadership and greatness in the kingdom – including the Apostle Paul.

Interestingly, it seems he chose to retreat from the mainstream of leadership and fade into the background of the New Testament church. Scholars believe he did this in order to coach and mentor others.

The Basic Premise

The basic premise of coaching is this; “Your own insight is much more powerful than my advice.” Malcolm Knowles, the father of adult education in the U.S. states, “One of the most significant findings from adult learning research is that when adults learn something naturally instead of being taught- they become highly self directing and feel immediate ownership.

These insights go against the grain of most hierarchical leadership paradigms in America. However, leadership models are rapidly changing. They’re changing from directing to influencing. From controlling, to role modeling and bossing, to coaching. Have you made the shift?

The Relational Factor

At the heart of every good coaching partnership is a powerful and meaningful relationship. The “buzz word” in our culture reveals that most Americans are in a crisis of relationship. The word is “connect.” Connect, with your cell phone, your PDA – with AOL and DSL.

However, information alone can never transform people. Real transformation comes through the conveyance of information through strong and meaningful relationships.

Are you ready to be a coach to someone? Or are you being coached? Well, get ready, the day is coming when you just might hear someone say, “hey coach - would you mind coaching me?”

Coach John

Works Sited: Tony Stoltzfus, Leadership Coaching, Booksurge LLC, 2005; Gary Collins, Christian Coaching.

What's That Up Ahead?

Everybody’s talking about destiny now days. Books, seminars, and conferences abound on the topic! Surprisingly, the word destiny is not found in the bible. (NKJV, KJV, etc.) However, lest you think I’m out of touch with mainline Christianity, I’ll be quick to add that the concept of destiny is found in the bible!

Unfortunately, many do not have a clear understanding of destiny. Most associate it with fate or happenstance. Others correlate it with predestination. It’s seen as something mysterious, like walking down a dark path shrouded in fog.

Actually, none of these views are biblical. The word destiny simply refers to a “future juncture or intersection.” It’s similar to an appointment or an appointed time - place. Destiny is literally a future juncture or intersection associated with God and His purposes.

Destiny is your path crossing His. Its future, it’s out there ahead. It's in your windshield - not your rear view mirror! You have to keep moving forward to meet it.

So how do I move toward my destiny? What will I need in my life to assure I reach that intersection with God? Here are several things I highly recommend if you are going to arrive at your future destiny.

1. You will need strong people in your life
You will never become all you should be without strong people in your life. Great people always embrace great people. It’s divine law, the law of association.

You will need people who are not impressed with your accomplishments or pedigree. Someone who is not afraid to speak the truth in love - peers who are not enamored with who you are.

Do you have these kinds of friends? Do you associate with this kind of people? Or are your friends all yes men and women? Work hard on building relationships - you’ll need people who are stronger to help you arrive at your destiny.

2. You will need destiny insight.
Destiny insight is a term that Robert Clinton uses to describe what he calls, “a strong sensing that God wants to use you in a certain way.” D.I.’s are revelatory in nature. They usually come in the form of a gut feeling or a strong intuition.

Oftentimes these insights are only small glimpses – a growing sense of awareness about God’s purpose or destiny for your life. They’re not A-Z encounters where you get the whole picture. Rather, God just pulls back the curtain enough to give you a glimpse of where He is taking you.

Do you have any destiny insights? Could you tell me about them if I asked?

3. You will need destiny experiences.
What is a destiny experience? According to Robert Clinton, they are “out of the ordinary” experiences with God that greatly impact us and move us forward to our destiny. If you’ve walked with God very long, you’ve experienced them.

To Joseph, it was a dream; for David it was the slaying of the giant, with Abraham it was a vision. For you, it might be deliverance from an automobile accident or some supernatural experience with God.

Unusual experiences with God allow you to sense that God is involved in your life and that He has a special purpose for it.

Conclusion:
Everyone’s created for destiny! It’s not spooky or mystical and it doesn’t have to blindside us. Rather, as we walk with God we come to that intersection with Him and fulfill His purpose in our lives. What's that up ahead? That’s your destiny. Go for it! Pursue it! It’s yours!

Coach John

Works sited: Robert J. Clinton, Spiritual Formation of a Leader

The Art of the Blacksmith – Ancient Practice, Modern Principle

The writer of the book of Samuel records a great truth that unveils both the purposes of God and the plots of Lucifer. The story is disclosed in I Samuel 13:16-23. The setting is this; the Philistines had finally conquered the Israelites and in order to keep them under their rule, they removed the blacksmiths out of the land. How clever!

We usually don’t stop to give much thought to this - but think about it. This was an agricultural society; plows, hoes, picks, and axes, were an absolute must for survival. Concerning Israels weapons, the enemy didn’t remove them; they merely took away their ability to create new ones and to maintain the old. No new weapons - dysfunctional old ones.

I hope your following my train of thought. What’s our job in the church today? It’s the job of the blacksmith – taking raw material and making something out of it. In Israel’s case, remove the blacksmith, paralyze the nation – in the church’s case, remove the teaching/discipleship ministry and paralyze the church.

Four quick thoughts about blacksmithing:

1) Blacksmithing requires constant work with raw material.

Raw material is representative of unrefined, imperfect people. Never forget, most of the bible’s greatest heroes came from raw material.

I find it strange that we prefer “finished product” above raw material. We should never refuse to work with raw material. I believe the greatest sculptures are yet to be chiseled.

Have we forgotten that we were all raw material at one time?

2) Blacksmithing requires participating in the meltdown of the raw material.

Raw material has to be melted down before it becomes useful. The reason is – it’s impure in its natural state.

We don’t like this part of the process but it must happen. Most raw materials very rarely resemble the finished product.

3) Blacksmithing requires pouring and shaping raw material into a new mold.

All raw materials have to take on another form and shape. This speaks of following God’s plan for our lives.

We begin to take on another shape when we follow God’s plan for our lives.

4) Blacksmithing requires sharpening and honing new tools and weapons.

Even people with transformed lives have rough edges. Often, new weapons and tools have rough edges – they need honing, tempering and sharpening.

Two things knock off our rough edges: anointed teaching and life’s rough spots. If we don’t learn by mentoring, coaching and anointed teaching, we usually have to learn the hard way.

Conclusion

The church is all about blacksmithing. Its task is to take raw material and shape it into a finished product. Are you skilled at blacksmithing? Are you about shaping people?

The Art of the Blacksmith – it’s all about developing raw material for God’s use! Ancient Practice - Modern Application.

Coach John

The Power of Significant People

Over the years, I've noticed a powerful principle that seems to run true in the life of every great leader. It's simple - yet profound. Plain - yet often overlooked. What is it? It's the fact that "
every great leader has significant people in his or her life."

J.Robert Clinton says that "major development takes place in the life of a leader through significant people whom God brings into their path at crucial times." Significant people are indispensable. If this is true, then we can draw an insightful conclusion. The conclusion is this, "I will never become all God wants me to be without significant people in my live."

Significant people are what we call mentors or coaches. Every one needs them - most will either have them or have had them at one time or another.

In the bible, Moses had Jethro, David had Nathan, Elisha had Elijah, Paul had Barnabas (who connected him to the Jerusalem Church & Gentile expansion) Timothy had Paul. On and on the list goes. Who do you have in your life?

How do I connect with significant people? How do I recognize them? Here are Five Dynamics that will help you connect to "Significant People." Take note:

1) Attraction.
The starting point for connecting with significant people is attraction. This usually begins with a strong inner desire to imitate or emmulate someones life or ministry.

Often times this is a God given attraction. At other times, it is merely need oriented. Once attraction is in place, mentoring/coaching begins.

2) Relationship
From attraction grows a bond of trust that turns into a relationship. Relationship refers to a growing interactive trust between you and significant people which is the basis of response and accountability.

Never assume on your relationships; rather, work at them.

3) Responsiveness
In your relationships with significant people, you must respond to their input. This simply means submission. Significant people don't have time to waste - only by response will you catch the ear of significant people.

4) Accountability
Significant people are often earmarked by the way they exercise accountabity. Leaders always hold others accountable. However, they too are accountable to their peers and superiors.
If accountability is missing in your relationships, you'll not get much out of them.

5) Empowerment
A clear sign of leadership is the leader's ability to empower others. Empowerment is the act of enablement. Leaders will not bind you to themselves - rather, they will empower you to succeed and follow God's will for your life and ministry.

The "Significant People" Principle
If this is a valid principle, then truly we will never become all God wants us to be without significant people in our lives. Who do you have in your life? Who are your heroes? You are a product of your relationships! Never underestimate the...

Power of Significant People In Your Life

Coach John

Works Sited: J. Robert Clinton, "Connecting"

"Taking Care of Business" In

In the 70's, the group Bockman, Turner & Overdrive made famous the song - "Taking Care of Business." Today, the hit song has emerged into somewhat of a buzz word in our culture. Office Depot even licensed it as their theme song. Why? Simply because it deals with an issue that most of us wrestle with - the task of controlling our schedules.

Is there anyone who doesn’t deal with a busy schedule? Not that I know of, at least among people who want to be on the cutting edge. It feels like our work is never complete. There's always a phone call to make, a meeting to attend - another issue to resolve. It never ends! Consequently, one of the most important things a leader can do is to take care of scheduling his or her life.

I'll be the first to tell you that much of life cannot be scheduled. It rarely fits into a nice, neat, orderly package. However, many of the stresses that beset us can be reduced or eliminated by developing better scheduling/planning skills. Here are a few suggestions:

The Art of Scheduling

1) Discipline Yourself To Scheduling.
Ever stop to think that God schedules! The first act of God recorded in Scripture is the act of creation. Creation reveals to us that God is a God of order and schedule. Notice, He didn’t attempt to do it all in one day. (You shouldn't either!) Creation was a scheduled order of events. He scheduled certain times of day(morning and evening) and certain seasons, (fall, winter, spring and summer) all an indication that certain things were to happen at certain times. What a revelation! Do you schedule? See Ecl. 3:1

2) Develop Daily & Weekly Routine
To develop routine means to follow the same pattern - to develop practical habits. Your daily & weekly habits should have some semblance of routine. Routine keeps you from becoming unbalanced in your life. Each of us are prone to do the activities we enjoy and shun others - routine prevents this. Schedule important events in your life until they become a routine.
Dan. 6:9

3) Learn To Say No Periodically
The nature of leadership demands much time, however, no one is called to do it all! Leaders must learn to audit their commitments regularly. I'm not talking about abdication of duty or responsibility, rather learning to say no to extra curricular things. Are you strictly a yes person?

4) Avoid Time Wasters
Unfortunately, all of us have "time wasters" incorporated into our lives. We live in a generation that has so many things to do. Probably the three biggest rivals would be; a) High tech innovation, i.e. internet, tv, gadgets, etc.; b) Excessive hobbies, (not saying hobbies are bad!); c) Disorganization - how organized are you? Wasted time can never be re-cooped. Guard it.

Want to be an effective leader? Then you have to begin with yourself. You must become intentional with the way you schedule your life -"taking care of business," if you please! Do you schedule? Begin today!

"Taking Care of Business"

Coach John