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Gospel Coach: Shepherding Leaders to Glorify God
In order to help pastors and other Christian leaders to lovingly lead God’s flock to Jesus Christ and into God’s mission, Scott Thomas and Tom Wood clarify a process of coaching and shepherding that is rooted in the patterns of the Good Shepherd himself, a process in which leaders stir up the gifts, passion, and calling upon others’ lives. This book addresses the needs of the leader, his or her sinful tendencies, and church leadership issues. It directs the leader to the person and work of Jesus. It provides a system to intentionally shepherd leaders to glorify God in their personal, spiritual, and missional lives. Many ministry leaders serving in churches find themselves overwhelmed, disillusioned, and depressed by the enormous and challenging task of leading and ministering in a congregation. As a result, the ministry suffers, the leaders suffer, and the result is often an unhealthy church existent with little or no Gospel influence. These leaders need someone to shepherd their soul so that they can lead others to the Chief Shepherd, Jesus Christ. We suggest that coaching for the church leader looks less like corporate consulting or humanistic psychology and more like biblical-shepherding. We suggest that every church leader needs a Gospel Coach to come alongside with words of truth, wisdom and experience to encourage, admonish, comfort and help—words drawn from Scripture and godly wisdom, grounded in the gracious saving work of Jesus Christ, and presented in the context of a trusting relationship. Gospel Coaching is an intentional relationship to skillfully care for others with four ancient shepherding 1) Know the sheep, 2) Feed the sheep, 3) Lead the sheep, and 4) Protect the sheep. A Gospel Coach both inquires about the personal, spiritual, and missional aspects of a ministry leader’s life in a loving yet focused manner, and also probes the church leader for compulsive unbelief or selfish motivation, or disobedience and sin, and leads the ministry leader back to the Gospel, through belief, repentance and obedience. Churches that desire to be rich in a Gospel application toward their city, their relationships with one another, their communication and worship, as well as their service, will benefit to a greater degree by having their leaders being coached by a Gospel-centered leader.
234 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2010
83 people are currently reading
214 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
March 9, 2024
Have had this book for a long time and finally read it to see if it’s worth taking my team through it. Ultimately, there are some fantastic resources from GC I’ll certainly share with them, but for me, it laid more foundation and was less practical than I wanted. But the appendices in the back are gold when it comes to relationally investing in and shepherding people! I will come back to those multiple times I’m sure!
“Gospel coaching seeks to humbly capture the biblical principles of shepherd leadership while remaining under the authority and reign of the chief Shepherd, Jesus Christ (1 Peter 5:4)….When we grasp the truth that biblical church leadership is shepherding as an ‘undershepherd’ of the chief Shepherd, Jesus Christ, it sharpens our leadership and produces a healthier flock….Gospel coaching is a process for responsibly and passionately caring for others that is based on the biblical model of shepherding.” (p. 113)
“Gospel coaching seeks to humbly capture the biblical principles of shepherd leadership while remaining under the authority and reign of the chief Shepherd, Jesus Christ (1 Peter 5:4)….When we grasp the truth that biblical church leadership is shepherding as an ‘undershepherd’ of the chief Shepherd, Jesus Christ, it sharpens our leadership and produces a healthier flock….Gospel coaching is a process for responsibly and passionately caring for others that is based on the biblical model of shepherding.” (p. 113)
July 13, 2012
Solid Theology of Discipleship + Solid Implementation Strategy = Wonderfully rich book that should be studied with to do list nearby as there is much to practically implement.
December 5, 2014
Great way to approach intentional discipling
December 12, 2018
While the execution of this book could use a little attention, the CONTENT is just what I needed to help me shape and articulate some of the work I'm doing with ministry leaders. After reading it through once, Gospel Coach become a good go-to resource for ministry leadership development concepts.
There's some debate among church leaders that "Shepherding Leadership" - a leadership model this author promotes - is not a good leadership model for churches. In my opinion that may be true because many churches never expect congregants to grow into leaders. However, if the goal/focus in your ministry role is to raise up leaders, this is a moot point; thus, I believe you’ll find this book helpful.
There's some debate among church leaders that "Shepherding Leadership" - a leadership model this author promotes - is not a good leadership model for churches. In my opinion that may be true because many churches never expect congregants to grow into leaders. However, if the goal/focus in your ministry role is to raise up leaders, this is a moot point; thus, I believe you’ll find this book helpful.
September 27, 2020
Overall ministry method based on a paradigm called Gospel Coaching
1. Biblical and Gospel Paradigm for coaching and ministry practices is explained.
2. Identify one’s calling, character, competency and chemistry in ministry leadership
coaching is then outlined
3. Developing the skills for practicing a gospel centered coaching relationship is reviewed
4. How to articipate and practice the C.R.O.S.S. Coaching conversation with others is then explained
I am willing to be convinced that such a structure is helpful or possible. Seems like a burden although the coaching only lasts 6 months.
1. Biblical and Gospel Paradigm for coaching and ministry practices is explained.
2. Identify one’s calling, character, competency and chemistry in ministry leadership
coaching is then outlined
3. Developing the skills for practicing a gospel centered coaching relationship is reviewed
4. How to articipate and practice the C.R.O.S.S. Coaching conversation with others is then explained
I am willing to be convinced that such a structure is helpful or possible. Seems like a burden although the coaching only lasts 6 months.
June 22, 2025
Yep it was okay. Forgot to say I'd finished it.
I didn't realise until starting that it was written under the wings of Mars Hill (Driscoll is mentioned only positively throughout). I don't think I would have read it if I knew, or would have at least liked some postscript to explain the impact of this context.
It was good to read but I think it expects a very formal coaching situation, rather than (in my context) helping pastors think about leading their teams or growing others in less formal contexts.
I didn't realise until starting that it was written under the wings of Mars Hill (Driscoll is mentioned only positively throughout). I don't think I would have read it if I knew, or would have at least liked some postscript to explain the impact of this context.
It was good to read but I think it expects a very formal coaching situation, rather than (in my context) helping pastors think about leading their teams or growing others in less formal contexts.
June 1, 2019
Worthy to fire holistic multipliable discipleship.
It's a practical, Gospel centered tool to care holistically for all those serving in the local church. It provides thoughtfulness and care in how to live out a multipliable one another ministry and selling to care for each others burdens and building up where God has specifically gifted each person for the good of the local church, the disciple, the coach all to the glory of God.
It's a practical, Gospel centered tool to care holistically for all those serving in the local church. It provides thoughtfulness and care in how to live out a multipliable one another ministry and selling to care for each others burdens and building up where God has specifically gifted each person for the good of the local church, the disciple, the coach all to the glory of God.
March 29, 2020
Just paging back through it definitely makes me want to re-read it. Most coaching seems to be focused on the outside man: skills, experience, etc. Yet the Gospel teaches us the exact opposite: the problem is inside us. And our only hope for change is outside of us: in Christ alone. (p. 48) Incredible read, I highly recommend it!
December 27, 2020
Good, but not great.
Some helpful thoughts about shepherding others. There was nothing new, but that does not mean that there is no value in reading this particular volume.
Some helpful thoughts about shepherding others. There was nothing new, but that does not mean that there is no value in reading this particular volume.
January 17, 2021
Great book and making me consider doing the whole certification.
November 18, 2023
Pretty good book! Great questions at the end that are helpful for ministry conversations.
March 27, 2011
Here's what's hard about rating this book: it's a self-published draft, before a full-published work is released. As such, if it had just been a manuscript to review, it would have easily been 4 stars. But since it has been published & sold as a book, it must be rated as such, so 3 stars it is.
Conceptually the work is great. It's a good mix of theology & practice, & rightfully changes the paradigm of coaching in light of the gospel. Good basis, & good start at developing it.
The book just needs lots of editing. Some stuff is repetitive, while other deep concepts get a mere mention. It's a bit choppy, & just needs a lot of filling out. The good thing is that Scott knows this. He's totally reworked at least one chapter, filled out several others, & in a nationwide "tour" (sans Winnebago, sadly) he's further developed the content through training sessions based on the book. All this has provided a much better version, which has just been submitted to his publisher for further editing & work.
I expect the filled-out version to be much-improved. Still a good work, & a fantastic draft, but I'm excited for the better, fully-released one!
Conceptually the work is great. It's a good mix of theology & practice, & rightfully changes the paradigm of coaching in light of the gospel. Good basis, & good start at developing it.
The book just needs lots of editing. Some stuff is repetitive, while other deep concepts get a mere mention. It's a bit choppy, & just needs a lot of filling out. The good thing is that Scott knows this. He's totally reworked at least one chapter, filled out several others, & in a nationwide "tour" (sans Winnebago, sadly) he's further developed the content through training sessions based on the book. All this has provided a much better version, which has just been submitted to his publisher for further editing & work.
I expect the filled-out version to be much-improved. Still a good work, & a fantastic draft, but I'm excited for the better, fully-released one!
August 29, 2013
If you are specifically coaching leaders then this is a valuable book.
Most of this book is derivative and the authors have basically assembled thoughts that have been written elsewhere. In other words, all the theological foundations for gospel centered mentoring and shepherding need to be said, but they are basically just assimilated from a variety of other good books and inserted here. However, when the authors actually talk about the nuts and bolts of coaching - how to listen, what questions to ask, the format that sessions should take, etc. - then this book becomes very practically helpful.
I will use this with the missional leaders that I spend time with.
Most of this book is derivative and the authors have basically assembled thoughts that have been written elsewhere. In other words, all the theological foundations for gospel centered mentoring and shepherding need to be said, but they are basically just assimilated from a variety of other good books and inserted here. However, when the authors actually talk about the nuts and bolts of coaching - how to listen, what questions to ask, the format that sessions should take, etc. - then this book becomes very practically helpful.
I will use this with the missional leaders that I spend time with.
September 12, 2022
Thomas and Wood do an excellent job outlining the importance and role of the Gospel Coach. Tons of practical takeaways for Christians to implement in their lives.
October 8, 2023
I love, love, love this book!
This book was required for the Disciple course of ReTrain and it was wonderful. It walks you through how to coach future leaders and also gives great resources for assessing one's own direction in serving God. I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone who loves Jesus and is seeking to serve him.
This book was required for the Disciple course of ReTrain and it was wonderful. It walks you through how to coach future leaders and also gives great resources for assessing one's own direction in serving God. I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone who loves Jesus and is seeking to serve him.
March 1, 2017
This will become one of the books I come back to again for help in leading not only our church but the group of guys I am discipling. The system they offer seems a bit involved at points, but overall I found it to be practical and helpful. I will be having some of the other leaders in our church read this book so we can work together to implement its ideas.
October 31, 2013
The Gospel Coach has been very helpful in bringing clarity to my coaching ministry. I appreciate the 'permission' given to be somewhat more directive in coaching - at least to be willing to include biblical truths to bear in the conversations I have with the men whom I coach. Very beneficial for any christian coach.
June 2, 2011
I understand this book is in the process of being further edited, which it could use, but it is still a very helpful how-to discipleship book including principles and practicles of shepherding ("coaching") individuals.
October 10, 2012
This was a good book for staying focused on the gospel while discipling. Thomas took a biblical approach, which you can tell he has fine tuned over the course of years of experienced. Overall it was well-rounded and will be very helpful to my ministry and yours as well.
April 27, 2014
Started out quite good. Intriguing premise: learning not only to minister but to coach other ministers. I lost track of the flow along the way. But I'd really like to check out their online resources.
I particularly appreciated the sample coaching session which made the process feel more doable.
I particularly appreciated the sample coaching session which made the process feel more doable.
March 27, 2015
The most helpful book on coaching I've read, it guides a coach in addressing the head, hands, and heart of the leader. It balances well the need for structure and skills in the coaching relationship while emphasizing engagement with the gospel in every session.
May 30, 2013
One of the most practical resources for helping people apply the Gospel to their lives that I've read. An excellent read.
March 30, 2013
How to counsel pastors. Obviously applies in other areas.
April 16, 2013
Loaded with incredible advice to empower believers and to help "the church" fulfill the great commission.
March 23, 2016
I'm so thankful for gospel-centered, shepherding-driven books like this one. I look forward to revisiting this book regularly!
January 20, 2014
Excellent. Helpful. Full of principle and practicality. Must read for anyone in a leadership position.
December 10, 2013
Excellent resource for church leaders
March 25, 2015
I really didn't care for it... I mainly skimmed the last 1/3 of it. :(
March 18, 2015
I need one & I want to be one...
May 10, 2016
Nice short book on shepherding/coaching others to believe the Gospel deeper in their lives.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews