Christian Coaching

Coaching is a modern-day phenomenon that is taking the world by storm. This discipline has proven to deliver excellent results for people from various backgrounds. Helping people pursue their goals and turn their dreams into reality.

Coaching differs from counselling (which is intended for people who want to overcome painful experiences from their past), as it is focussed on building a vision for the future and move forward towards it.

In order to help people achieve specific goals in specific areas of their lives, many niche areas have been established in the coaching industry: life coaching, executive coaching, Neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) coaching, personal coaching, performance coaching, student coaching, young persons coaching, parent coaching, expat coaching and even Christian coaching.

Christian coaching is a relatively new area in the coaching industry and most often misunderstood. In the sense the name usually either describes the method that the coach uses or the target group for whom the specific type of coaching would be best suited. In the case of Christian coaching both are true, it is the type of coaching that is probably best suited for Christians, but it also has a unique way of operating that makes it distinctly Christian.

Since this form of life coaching is designed specifically for Christians, it implies that believers can speak to a Christian coach and know that the coach subscribes to the same beliefs and value system as they do. Christians could therefore openly discuss their faith and other personal or spiritual issues with their coach.

Another distinction between a normal life coach and a Christian coach is that a Christian coach operates from his or her faith. They believe that true fulfilment can only be achieved when people live in accordance with God’s plans for them and clients are valued as fellow believers who were made in the image of God. Faith is therefore seen as an essential part of life.

Christian coaching differs from the usual pastoral care in that pastors or ministers usually provide more comfort and compassion, rather than guidance to set goals and move forward on those commitments. Instead of just listening, supporting and guiding someone through the difficulties, Christian coaches are more pro-active in their approach. They are also independent and therefore more objective and can help you deal with any of your life issues, from spiritual concerns, all the way through to practical challenges such as being made redundant.

The specific Christian coach that you work with is thus just as important as the type of coaching that is done. When searching for a Christian life coach, you will get maximum benefit from a coach who is a dedicated Christian and has been trained in life coaching, as well as theology. Coaches with both these qualifications are ideally placed to deal with many different issues Christians would sometimes like to discuss.

LEAP in Life coaching and training can offer you this! Jaco Beukes, for instance is a personal coach with extensive experience in the field of coaching, but also holds three degrees in theology. He did his Masters degree in clinical pastoral care and counselling and is therefore not only ideally suited to help with normal life coaching issues like goal setting, but will also be able to guide you through difficult life transitions.

If you are a Christian looking for life coaching to increase your performance and reach your goals, while keeping your Christian faith and values central in the process, Christian coaching is right for you!