Ministering to Your Soul: Christian Life Coaching
You are probably familiar with the term coaching. You may have friends or family members who have a financial or health coach. In America, where sports are a big part of our culture, we are familiar with coaches of children's sports and professional sports as well.
Coaching outside of the sports world began growing in the 1980s and 1990s. Companies and individuals began to see an increase in success and productivity as one of the significant benefits of learning from the skills and methods of trained coaches.
Here, I will answer common questions about Christian Life Coaching and share with you ways this coaching can be a valuable part of your intentional life.
What makes Christian Life Coaching different from other kinds of coaching?
Christian Life coaching can come in many forms, but the best Christian coaching should be primarily informed by the direction of the Holy Spirit and aid you in a flourishing life as a follower of Jesus. They should be someone who can help you in any area of your life, professional or personal.
What is the difference between coaching, therapy, pastoral counseling, and spiritual direction?
Therapy generally attends to areas of mental health and/or issues of the past and how they affect the present. Diagnosis and desire for behavioral change are usually present. Therapists have a graduate degree and state license. Therapy is usually weekly or bi-monthly.
Pastoral counseling usually attends to spiritual or relational problems. A Pastor will often have a degree in theology or similar religious studies. Pastoral counseling is usually short-term as needed.
Spiritual Direction primarily attends to spiritual struggles, discernment, and areas of spiritual formation. Spiritual Directors should be certified in spiritual direction, and many have degrees in other areas of study. Spiritual Direction is usually monthly or bi-monthly.
Coaching primarily helps a person get from where they are to where they desire to go as inspired by God. Goals for improving awareness, effectiveness, and competence in personal life, spiritual life, leadership, or work are also present. Coaching is usually monthly or bi-monthly.
“Coaching deals mostly with a person’s present and seeks to guide him or her into a more desirable future”
How do I know if coaching might be beneficial to me?
Coaching may be the answer you need if you feel stuck in any area of your life.
Coaching topics include (but are not limited to) work, education, pursuits, prioritization, relationships, and health. Any area in which you would like to see progress and transformation would be a reason to consider coaching.
What could I expect from a coaching session?
Prayer, intentional listening, encouragement, empathy, goals, and next steps are all part of a valuable coaching session. Sessions are usually 45-60 minutes in duration. The amount of sessions needed is based on your individual needs.
Part of my training as a Christian Life Coach includes receiving coaching myself. Having never received coaching until now, I can tell you that it has been personally rewarding. Meeting with an empathic, trained listener who is able to help me move from the high view of my struggles to actionable steps has been valuable.
Christian Life Coaching can be life-giving for you and the care of your soul.
Enjoying the journey of soul care together!
Valerie
As I continue my education as a Spiritual Director, I (Valerie) am also about to complete my classroom training for certification as a Christian Life Coach from Soul Shepherding Ministries.
To find out more about Soul Shepherding, click HERE. If you would like a free 15-minute Q&A with Valerie on spiritual direction or Christian life coaching, you can contact me HERE.