As Christian coaches there is much that we must consider when we begin working with our clients.  Coaching is not a job that should be taken lightly.  We must always keep some things in mind, including the three C’s of Christian Coaching.  Say that three times fast!

The Character of Christ Jesus, Competencies and Being Coachable

First, let’s consider our character. Especially as a Christian coach we must remember that our character should be top notch.  We after all should be representing Jesus Christ above anything or anyone.  We therefore, in many cases, are being Jesus himself to others.  How would you describe the character of Jesus and how do you role model these traits to your clients?  Remember this as you coach.  In Laurie Beth Jones book, Jesus as Life Coach,  she writes about the empathic listening of Jesus and the art of asking powerful questions, which are  two key skills in coaching.  From carpenter to Savior, Jesus first transformed himself, then the world.

Next, let’s consider our coaching  competencies (also known as Coaching Masteries) and the importance to study, learn and grow in the these skill areas.  There are nine IAC Coaching Masteries. Watch for future posts as we explore these 9 masteries in greater detail. These include:

1. Establishing and maintaining a relationship of trust.
2. Perceiving, affirming and expanding the clients potential.
3. Engaged listening.
4. Promoting the present.
5. Expressing.
6. Clarifying.
7. Helping the client set and keep clear intentions.
8. Inviting possibility.
9. Helping the client create and use support systems and structures.

The third C is coachable.  Yes, a coach too needs to be coachable.  A coach is always growing.  This includes our own walk of faith,  growing deeper in our faith, and  remaining coachable. What does it mean to be coachable?  Coaches are continuous learners about themselves, and their experiences and they work to enhance their skills unceasingly.

My last post talked about positive affirmations that you can use in life and how the practice of quoting  scriptures can  affirm positive words and feelings.  This week, I want to write about the power of our own words and the impact on how they can build a person up or tear a person down .

Our self-talk turns words, thoughts and feelings inward and  can either become limiting, self-sabotaging beliefs or empowering and inspiring beliefs . Imagine if you had a best friend who talked to you the way you talk to yourself sometimes.  How long would you keep that friend around?

At some point, most of us have been blessed to experience positive people in our lives who affirmed us and believed in us, even when self doubt crept in or when we were losing sight of a dream.  Maybe it was a high school coach, a  Sunday school teacher, parent, spouse, sibling, or friend.  Do you remember the kind of encouraging words the person used? I remember my 6th grade teacher, Mrs. Anthony. Each time she handed out a test, she would smile at me and say, “Oh I feel you are going to get another A.”   I always studied for her tests because she raised the bar and expanded my vision and I wanted to meet that goal.  And, her words played over and over in my head as I was studying for her tests,  “I am going to get another A.”

One of the nine “IAC Coaching Masteries” is “Perceiving, affirming and expanding the client’s potential“.  When the coach sincerely “demonstrates belief in the client’s potential”, without going over the top or being a Pollyanna, the client is more willing to take actions to step out of their comfort zone, and challenge their self limiting beliefs.  As a coach, you can encourage your client  to pay attention to their self-talk and focus on positive affirmations using words, pictures and feelings to imprint positive self-talk.  It is amazing how a client can begin to see themselves differently when they imprint these new pathways in the brain over a period of time.   A shift begins to take place, and as their confidence grows, the client is more motivated to take action and accomplish more.   Speak encouraging, affirming words into their life and make a request for them to adopt a new habit of speaking positive affirmations daily.  One technique your client can use is to write them on  index cards and read them each morning and in the evening.  And, you can help them understand when they catch themselves speaking negative self-talk,  to immediately correct it by saying, “that ‘s not like me anymore”... and immediately change the words into a positive statement.  Parents, think of how you can help your children build a strong self image by guiding them to change their negative self-talk into more positive self talk.

Maybe this is a good time to review the free MP3 recordings of positive affirmations that I posted in my bl0g last week.   Someone asked me to share one of my favorite affirmations…  one of my favorite affirmations is “I am a beloved daughter of the Most High God,  the Creator of the Universe, the Alpha and the Omega.  He lives inside of me. I am known and loved by God and I am highly favored.”

What is your self-talk?  How can you build up yourself and others with your words?  When will you start?

“As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.” Proverb 23:7

As humans, I believe each of us has a deep yearning in our hearts to know that we are here for a purpose. And how do we find the answer to the mystical questions, “What is my legacy? What am I supposed to do until I find it? Will I find it?”

I believe that Paul said it best when he wrote Philippians 3:10 “My determined purpose is that I may know Him, that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Jesus.“

When someone says to me “Help me to find my purpose,” I am humbled. I pray that my words will be guided by the Holy Spirit to gently walk beside a person on their journey, to be the light and love of Jesus and to meet the person right where they are, and to guide and encourage a deeper and more intimate relationship with Jesus, to know that His mercy, grace, forgiveness and love are endless.

I am reminded of a quote from Eric Liddle in the inspiring movie, Chariots of Fire when he said “I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast. And when I run I feel His pleasure.” That is a good starting place as you ponder the question, “What is my purpose?”.

So, I invite you to fill in the blank, “When I __________, I feel God’s pleasure.”