Layout Image
Layout Image

Celebrating Something New!

Tuesday, May 10th, 2011

After working to remodel the website, I’m celebrating the new look of this site!  The goal is still to provide low and no-cost information to Christians who are curious about coaching.  The information and resources here are meant to help each person determine the place of coaching in their career, ministry and life

Learn about Christian coaching.  Explore the profession.  Connect with others.  Find resources for new coaches.  Consider training and certification options.  Get help and inspiration at the blog.

Now that the new look has been introduced, I can step into the next phase of remodeling which includes regularly adding new resources and information.  I highly recommend using WordPress to create and build your website.  Once it’s up and running, it’s not too tough for non-techies like me to post a blog or add new information.  So, although my virtual assistant, Susan Fleming of Electronic Marketing Success built the site, I can do some of the updates myself if I choose.  This said, I encourage you to check out WordPress if you are creating a website in the near future.

I must also thank my friend Beth Cole, now of One Lily, because per her usual she created a fabulous new logo and website header for me!  Susan and Beth would be at my ideal party – the one I would have in “real life” if we all were in the same city.  You, my readers and participants here at the Christian Coaching Resources, would ideally be celebrating with me too – if we could make it out of virtual space and into the same room.  For now, I’ll just have to ask you to tour the site on your own and then let me know your questions and comments either here at the blog or by email.  I look forward to hearing from you!

Comments (2)

Tools for a Coaching Business or Ministry: Scheduling

Wednesday, April 6th, 2011

During International Coaching Week, February 7-11, I thoroughly enjoyed meeting with prospective and new Christian coaches. I offered complimentary coaching or consulting sessions to those here in the Christian Coaching Resources community. Some shared their interest in becoming coaches had questions about establishing new careers and ministries.  Others were newly trained coaches with questions about starting a business or ministry. Still others were established coaches who were thinking through new directions for their coaching.  With these and other International Coaching Week events, it was a busy time!

Twelve complimentary appointments were offered on a first-come first-served basis.  How were the appointments scheduled?  I used an online scheduling tool that I enthusiastically recommend.

The scheduler at TimeTrade is the best scheduling tool I’ve come across. It’s easy for me to use and easy for those scheduling appointments with me.  Once I set up an event, I get a link to post online or include in emails.  Those that want to schedule with me can click on the link, follow the instructions and choose from the times available.  The system confirms the appointment, notifies me, and sends a timely reminder to the person scheduled.  To check it out, sign up for a free 30-day trial account.  If you decide you like it, it’s an excellent value at $29.95 per year.

If you’re wondering – I’m not receiving anything from TimeTrade for posting about this. I am just sharing what has worked for me in hopes it might be helpful to you.

Let me know if you have recommendations for other scheduling tools that work well.

Five Things to Know About Christian Coach Training: Post 5

Friday, February 11th, 2011

Five Things to Know About Christian Coach Training:  Post 5

What besides coach training contributes to your success as a coach?

Coach training is key, but not the only answer for your success as a coach in business or ministry.  Of course, first and foremost your success is defined by God’s call and work in your life.  And most likely God will use your coach training as key to the success to which you’ve been called.  But he will also use other factors in your success as well.  Completing an excellent Christian coach training program will not be the sole factor.  Other factors God may use include  your previous business and technology expertise, your established network of contacts, your personal community of support, ongoing mentor coaching, and your investment of time, money and hard work. 

Before you invest your money, time and heart into coach training, become familiar with options.  Even before you evaluate your options, get very clear on your unique God-breathed vision.  Use that vision as a guide for choosing the training you will take.  Then follow God’s lead as you make the best use of your training and resources to step into the coaching vision to which you’ve been called.

For more information on your options:  www.mychristiancoachtraining.com

Five Things to Know About Christian Coach Training: Post 4

Thursday, February 10th, 2011

Five Things to Know About Christian Coach Training:  Post 4

What basic curriculum is covered included in an effective program of coach training?

Coach training curriculum will teach you coaching skills, challenge you to apply coaching to yourself and train you in business start-up skills.  To be successful at starting up a business or ministry you will need knowledge and skills in each of these areas.  Each program will address these areas in different ways and to different extents.  Some will offer a basic introduction to each of these things in one class while others offer separate classes for each topic. 

Based on your background and what you know about your own experience, plan your training accordingly.  For example, if you have no experience with starting up a business and you plan to start a coaching business, you will need training in this area.  Ideally the coach training program you choose will cover all you need to know about creating a business.  But if the curriculum in your training program is not thorough with the business start up information you need, you may have to supplement your training in other ways – for example with alternative business-focused workshops and/or mentor coaching.

In honor of International Coaching Week, I’ve been posting every day on Five Things to Know About Christian Coach Training.  As the author of The Complete Guide to Christian Coach Training (ebook), my hope is that you find the coach training that is uniquely right for you.  The posts this week have been dedicated to supporting the decision about coach training that will be the best match for the vision that God has uniquely called you to.  

The current edition of The Complete Guide to Christian Coach Training features fifteen programs that teach classic coaching in a Christian context.   Included are thorough descriptions of certification and accreditation.  Eleven decision-making factors for how to choose coach training are identified.  The ebook goes beyond answering the obvious questions and equips those new to the field with the answers they need in order to make great decisions for themselves.  Learn more about the ebook by clicking HERE