Reasons to Consider a New Work Coach By Tom Cheyney

The Five Cycles of a New Work Coach There are at least five phases you will go through as the coach of a new church planter.

The Five Cycles of a New Work Coach 1. The Buddy Phase This is where most sponsoring church pastors begin with the church planter. It is where you are “buddies.” Usually, this is during the initial phase of a coaching relationship. Do not mistakenly become lax in your responsibilities towards establishing clearly, delineated expectations. Much attention should be given towards your expectations at this phase. If the waters should get rough later, it will still be clear what is expected up front.

The Five Cycles of a New Work Coach 2. The Lack of Trust Phase There is a second phase that comes when both, or either, of the planting parties begins to say through their actions, “I’m not sure I trust you.” It is a hard phase to work through, and the sponsoring church leadership must do everything possible to keep this phase from derailing the effort.

The Five Cycles of a New Work Coach 3. The Dislike Phase The dislike, or mild resentment, phase depends on how well things are going. Not many coaching relationships are able to avoid this phase unless the partnering church takes a “whatever” view of the new work. That is never advised. As a coach, be sure not to burn bridges in the midst of the skirmish. Keep the relationship vital and seek health in all cases.

The Five Cycles of a New Work Coach 4. The Determination Phase Many partnering churches feel relief because the turbulence has settled down. Optimism and glimmers of hope give both the planter and the partner church excitement. Usually, this happens as the corner is turned and the planter begins to see success is just a few steps away. These become the exciting days for both the sponsoring church and the new work planter.

The Five Cycles of a New Work Coach 5. The “It Was All Worth It” Phase As the sponsoring church and the new work team will discover, there comes the reward phase where all the struggle was worth it. Here is the principle to discover: The joy of sponsoring a new church work does not come by substitution of one place for another, but by the transformation of a place that was in darkness and is now a lighthouse.

Ten Reasons to Consider a New Work Coach 1. To get an outlook from someone who has no vested interest in the situation's conclusion.

Ten Reasons to Consider a New Work Coach 2. To help you shed light on God's vision.

Ten Reasons to Consider a New Work Coach 3. To point out what the leader can't, won't or doesn't see.

Ten Reasons to Consider a New Work Coach 4. To have an empathetic, secure and private outlet to vent problems and frustrations.

Ten Reasons to Consider a New Work Coach 5. To conduct reality checks as the vision progresses.

Ten Reasons to Consider a New Work Coach 6. To walk with you through conflict when it arises.

Ten Reasons to Consider a New Work Coach 7. To put into practice the master plan in appropriate progression.

Ten Reasons to Consider a New Work Coach 8. To ask the questions that no one else is asking.

Ten Reasons to Consider a New Work Coach 9. To develop strategies for recruiting, transitioning and developing funds.

Ten Reasons to Consider a New Work Coach 10. To help you balance the demands and stress of leading a church while maintaining a healthy family life.

Characteristics or Qualifications You Should Seek in a Coach for the New Church Plant 1. The new work coach must have a deep-seated passion for the church plant, and for the individuals that make up the church planting team.

2. The new work coach must love the planter and his family, and all members of the new work team. Caring about the church plant alone is not enough; you must care for the individual members of the church planting team also. Characteristics or Qualifications You Should Seek in a Coach for the New Church Plant

3. The new work coach must have evangelism as a primary tenet, and be able to coach the church planting team in evangelism, outreach and witnessing effectively. Relationship- building is wonderful, but it must lead towards evangelism or else it is just hanging out together!

Characteristics or Qualifications You Should Seek in a Coach for the New Church Plant 4. The new work coach should also be a good listener; he should learn what is happening in the church planter’s life. The ability to listen well and ask effective questions is perhaps the single most important key to good coaching.

Characteristics or Qualifications You Should Seek in a Coach for the New Church Plant 5. The new work coach must have some level of experience in planting New Testament churches. Don’t allow an inexperienced individual to coach your planter.

Characteristics or Qualifications You Should Seek in a Coach for the New Church Plant 6. The new work coach must be able to deliver the medicine without causing the ill to get more sick. Heavy-handed coaching usually creates a huge disconnect with the planter and new work team. Often, it is not repairable if all you do is criticize and scold.

Characteristics or Qualifications You Should Seek in a Coach for the New Church Plant 7. The new work coach must be willing to make this coaching partnership a long-term commitment, perhaps as long as three years. Several church planting movements suggest 12 to 18 months, but if you have been planting very long, you discover that at the end of 18 months, the new work is just getting moving. Spend the time. It will be worth it.

Characteristics or Qualifications You Should Seek in a Coach for the New Church Plant 8. Remember, that coaching is hands-on. It is the process of helping your church planter and the new church succeed.

A Sample Coaching Meeting Agenda For the Sponsoring Church Begin with prayer. (prayerful preparing) Planter’s family, new work and sponsoring church. (relate) Explore how the planter is doing. (focused listening) Explore how the new work is doing. Ask about what is working and not working. Review notes from last meeting. (reflect)

A Sample Coaching Meeting Agenda For the Sponsoring Church What assignments have you completed? (strategic questioning) What are your *BHAG’s for the next few weeks? (refocus) What are the priorities you have for the next few months? (review) Ask about the general direction of the plant. Review what has been done in the areas of assimilation and evangelism.

A SAMPLE COACHING MEETING AGENDA FOR THE SPONSORING CHURCH Ask the planter what resources are needed at this time (resource): 1.) EQUIPPING and TRAINING? 2.) NEW STAFF? 3.) FUNDS? 4.) VOLUNTEERS? Clearly delineate what assignments are being made for completion by the next scheduled meeting.

A Sample Coaching Meeting Agenda For the Sponsoring Church Give clear steps towards completing assignments. Review each others’ schedules, set date, time, and place for next meeting. Close the time with prayer. Make sure you pray for the planter’s prayer requests and anything else that comes out during the session.

A Sample Coaching Meeting Agenda For the Sponsoring Church Now: Stop being the coach and be his friend. Take him to lunch, have some fun and pick up the tab!