Christ -centered Coaching: 7 Benefits for Ministry Leaders

by Jane Creswell

Creswell draws from her extensive corporate and ministry coaching experience to provide ministers and other church leaders a clear definition of what coaching is and the seven basic benefits an individual, church, or group can receive through a qualified coach. Solidly based in experience, each chapter is built upon an actual scenario growing out of Creswell's own coaching experience. Along with the illustration, she provides scriptural teaching, gives explicit information on the purpose and merits of coaching, additional resources, and tips for coaching.

147 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2006

Reviews

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very helpful book for those looking to coach others from a Christian perspective. Creswell lays out how coaching helps from the ground up. She begins with how coaching orients around your strengths. Then coaching moves through clarity/focus, learning and confidence. This leads to intentional progress to the point where one can coach others and create God-sized goals. The one oddity of this book was that it is targeted to coaches and those seeking coaches. I cannot speak for anyone else, but I read it because I want to coach the students in my ministry. Do people looking for coaches read books like this or do they just go find a coach? That dual-focus does not take away from the book and I recommend it for anyone looking to utilize coaching tools in their ministry.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I chose this book from among several which were required for my doctorate class on Coaching. I really appreciate Jane Creswell sharing her experience in business coaching and reading how she was able to lead business leaders to Christ, because of her moral leadership, personal mission statement and clear, godly life goals. Jane writes as a humble, yet experienced coach, and I really admire her. She uses a lot of scripture to explain biblical leadership, goal-setting and team relationships. The principles that she sets writes about in the book are easy to use. I will refer to these principles as I mentor younger leaders.

[Joshua Moran · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book that helped to define Christ centered coaching and what benefits people can derive from said coaching. It definitely made me more curious about coaching in general, though my organization is talking about coaching a lot right now.

Jane gives great examples in the book based on real experience.

The book was pretty clear this was about maximizing Kingdom potential but it did feel a lot like “take on more responsibility.” So, that is a difficulty I am still thinking through.

[Erin Schwab · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite coaching books thus far. Super helpful and practical.

[Joseph Jackson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a well written book I disagree with sever tenets of the book but the author gave good foundation for the book

[Geoff · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an inspiring little book on the benefits of Christ-Centered Coaching. Jane came from the corporate world before applying her skills to the ministry setting & I think this shows. There are a couple of weak spots in her use of Scripture (nothing terrible) and a blind spot about dealing with suffering & brokenness (lots of "God has given you strengths to deploy with clarity", etc.) but overall it was helpful to consider the role of coaching in a ministry leadership position & she really does try to honor God & submit to his plans with what she writes. I recommend it.