The evidence of making “great commission” disciples is our transformation to love one another as Jesus loved us, unconditionally and sacrificially (John 13:34-35). This disciple making transformational pathway also includes other evidences, such as the Fruit of the Spirit, victory over sin, and serving the local church with our Spiritual Gifts. The LPD uses an ABC approach for disciple making. A is for assessment or awareness to recognize the need for development. B is for basic training and action steps that create opportunities for transformation. And C is for coaching; the coaching conversations that provide accountability in the pursuit of the goal to transform disciples.
The LPD Residency Program is designed to help pastors and leaders be effective disciple makers through coaching conversations and help them move beyond managing people for performance and compliance, through running church programs by simply telling people what to do. Our goal is to help empower and unleash disciple makers to expand God’s kingdom through the local church. However, revitalizing the church to refocus on disciple making by creating a coaching culture is not an easy accomplishment. Michael Stanier recognizes the challenge of managers and leaders today. He writes:
. . . the seemingly simple behavior change of giving a little less advice and asking a few more questions is surprisingly difficult. You’ve spent years delivering advice and getting promoted and praised for it. You’re seen to be “adding value” and you’ve the added bonus of staying in control of the situation. On the other hand, when you’re asking questions, you might less certain about whether you’re being useful, the conversation can feel slower and you might feel like you’ve somewhat lost control of the conversation (and indeed you have. That’s called “empowering”). Put like that, it doesn’t sound like that good an offer.
The Coaching Habit. Say Less, Ask More & Change the Way You Lead Forever Pg. 6
Michael Bungay Stanier
I find the primary training, equipping and resourcing of pastoral leaders (and the congregational expectations of local churches) is to provide great advice and give great answers. Church leaders may be well trained to give ‘information’ but they may be less equipped to create ‘transformation’ in the fulfilment of making “great commission” disciples. Scripture tells us . . .
“be transformed by the renewal of your mind” Rom. 12:2 [ESV]
“have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus” Phil. 2:5 [ESV]
“Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking” 1 Pet. 4:1 [ESV]
Creating a healthy coaching culture is foundational to disciple making. This is essential for leaders who want to help disciples to know Jesus, rather than just know all the right answers.
How have you established a coaching culture for transformation in your church so that you will both survive today and thrive tomorrow?
How has your church remained focused on disciple making during this current COVID-19 opportunity that will help you both survive today and thrive tomorrow?
The LPD Church Planters I am coaching view our current COVID-19 crisis as a God given opportunity to revitalize their church and their ministry by establishing a coaching culture. I would love to share these insights with you and encourage you as you lead your church and ministry. We are all in this together.
Steve Sharpe
