After just browsing Christian Coaching by Gary Collins, it was easy to see that there were other Christian coaches to meet and get to know.  The first connection I made was very significant.

I noticed that the Christian Coaches Network was referenced, as was the founder and director, Judy Santos.  Wow!  A professional association of Christian coaches!  I found the website and phoned Judy.  She graciously answered my questions and shared in my delight - I had made my first “live” connection with another Christian coach and I was thrilled!

Since my first discovery of CCN, I have enjoyed two conferences where I’ve met a variety of coaches - life coaches, executive and business coaches, coaches who work in ministry organizations, coaches trained in a variety of training programs, those who coach only Christians, those who coach both Christians and non-Christians, some called to business making lots of money and others called to give coaching away in ministry.  I really like the diversity of this group.

Connections made at conferences have resulted in wonderful friendships and productive business alliances.  I have received meaningful support - personally and professionally - by the friends and associates I have made as a result of CCN. 

I believe that as we who share faith in Christ connect, we participate in multiplying opportunities for the Holy Spirit to work - both in us personally as well as in our profession.  (Yes - this is another version of the currently popular discussion on “community.”)  I want for all coaches who are Christians to have support from and give support to other Christian coaches.  We can bless each other and bless the name of Christ - giving an offering of willingness to participate in meaningful connections - to multiply God’s purposes and glory.  I invite you to participate!

Tomorrow I will tell you about the first questions I asked Judy.  

To research the field of coaching and encounter the “big picture” of the profession, look at the website of the International Coach Federation.  ICF is the coaching professional association that has been around the longest.  The organization provides structure to the profession - awards credentialing to coach training and certification to individual coaches. 

At the beginning of my research, it was quickly easy (exciting) to see that basic coaching concepts and principles were very compatible within a Christian context.  It was also quickly easy to see that many applications of those concepts and principles did not align with a Christian worldview.

I began to wonder if there were any other coaches out there - Christians - who had “gone before me.”  Hopefully, you know the answer is a resounding “yes.”  This was four years ago and it wasn’t as easy then as I hope it has been for you to find other Christians in the field.

So one Sunday at church, I went forward for prayer - asking God to connect me with an established Christian coach.  That week, I was in the local Christian bookstore - and much to my surprise - (I was not looking for it) - I saw the book, Christian Coaching:  Helping Others Turn Potential into Reality by Gary R Collins. This book is an excellent overview of the coaching profession. It discusses the integration of Christian faith with the practice of coaching. There is no other book like it.  It is an excellent resource!

As a result of this book, not only did I connect with one coach - but I met a whole community of Christian coaches.  (Did I mention I prayed…why am I always surprised by the answers?)  Let me tell you about the community tomorrow.

Today I start blogging. 

I’m the kind of person who hesitates before doing something I’ve never done before - i.e. blogging.  I like to think things through, process how I want to do something, determine what seems the “best” approach, etc.  Good thing I have a coach to say, “OK, now take action.”*

I’m actually really excited to blog because I’m going to write about something I love - coaching - specifically coaching within a Christian context.**  And I do have a vision - a very full vision - of what will be included in this blog.***   

So what’s the vision?  To share with you (a follower of Christ who is interested in coaching) resources that will be helpful to you as you begin the “coaching chapter” of your story. 

As you read above, you see examples from my own life story of why coaching is so valuable: *When I hesitate in doing something I want to do, I am accountable to my coach for getting it done. **I have support for identifying my passion and putting it into action.  ***I have help establishing a clear vision of where I want to go.

And why is coaching with someone who shares my Christian faith important?  Because my coach is very familiar with what is most important to me.  When I say I want to live my life for God’s glory and purposes - and I want my life to be ordered accordingly - my coach knows what I mean.  There is no need for me to educate him; he is with me in wanting that for me.  He is with me in challenging me to live according to what’s most important. 

So today I start blogging.  I’ve mentioned a few things about why personally being coached is important to me and why Christian coaching is valuable.  This week, I’ll start by telling you about the resources that were helpful to me as I began.  Are you a Christian interested in life coaching?  Come back and visit my blog…I would love to be a resource to you…visit often and send me comments when you do.  I look forward to hearing from you!