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Spiritual Leadership Coaching: Connecting People to God's Heart and Purposes
Spiritual Leadership Coaching integrates the life-changing biblical insights from Experiencing God with training in twelve essential coaching skills that will enhance your ability to have transformational conversations with those God brings alongside you. Learn how to listen deeply on multiple levels, ask Spirit-led questions, and move people onto God's agenda.
- GenresLeadership
304 pages, Paperback
Published June 1, 2018
About the author
Richard Blackaby
112 books26 followersRichard is the president of Blackaby Ministries International where he works with his father Henry, brother Tom, and other family members to help people experience God. Richard speaks internationally, working especially with leaders of churches, organizations, companies, and families.
Richard earned a B.A. in history from the University of Saskatchewan. He has an M.Div and Ph.D. in church history from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and an honorary doctorate from Dallas Baptist University.
Richard served as a senior pastor at Friendship Baptist Church in Winnipeg, and then as the president of the Canadian Southern Baptist Seminary in Cochrane, Alberta Canada for 13 years. He continues to serve as the seminary’s Chancellor.
He has authored and co-authored over 30 books.
Richard earned a B.A. in history from the University of Saskatchewan. He has an M.Div and Ph.D. in church history from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and an honorary doctorate from Dallas Baptist University.
Richard served as a senior pastor at Friendship Baptist Church in Winnipeg, and then as the president of the Canadian Southern Baptist Seminary in Cochrane, Alberta Canada for 13 years. He continues to serve as the seminary’s Chancellor.
He has authored and co-authored over 30 books.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 4, 2023
An interesting take on professional coaching that seems to combine spiritual direction and life coaching with an emphasis on leadership development. Key points include God being a central speaker in the conversation with coach and client along with intentional reflection on the Spirit’s movement in the client’s life and work. Worth the read for any Christian coach.
May 10, 2026
Great insight for all of us that are privileged to work with others. Below are some of my personal takeaways:
Great coaches are great listeners.
Coaches can help people discern God‘s voice.
Spiritual coaches must be God-tuned so they can be ready for hard questions.
People skills are essential for spiritual coaching.
The coach should not believe he knows all of the Bible, but he should draw Bible principles God has placed within the part of the client.
Ultimately, the Holy Spirit is every Christian’s teacher.
Spiritual coaches should pray for the client before they meet with them.
Spiritual coaching is primarily about God and His purposes more than the client’s desires.
The Four C’s to building trust in coaching:
Christlike character
Confidence in what you do
Commitment
Care for the person that’s genuine.
Spiritual coaches cannot help others if their mind is constantly reverting back to their own problems.
It is ultimately the client’s responsibility to hear God‘s voice and discern God‘s will. The coach is just a midwife assisting the person.
A consultant answers questions, but a coach questions answers.
The spiritual coach is not trying to prove a point or win a discussion, but rather share insights that will help.
Spiritual coaches must be willing to ask the hard questions.
Spiritual coaches best serve their client when they help them see where they are, develop a plan of action, and make a commitment to follow through.
Spiritual coaches guide someone to take responsibility.
Spiritual coaches should help their clients develop a system of accountability.
10 pitfalls in coaching:
1. Confidentiality. Do not share unless it is a legal or such matter.
2. Being the Bible answer guru.
3. Prayer-less practitioners. Only God can produce true spiritual fruit.
4. Active listening. Careless coaches don’t pay attention and miss out on key information.
5. Skills without character. Words are powerless if your life does not back it up. Strive to have character.
6. Boundary-less coaching.
7. Shade tree psychologist. A coach is not a psychologist, and if he is not willing to refer those that he cannot help, he will hurt people.
8. Self-focused coaching.
9. Confronter and chief. There are times to confront people, but they should do so with ample grace.
10. Coaching the problem and not the person.
Great coaches are great listeners.
Coaches can help people discern God‘s voice.
Spiritual coaches must be God-tuned so they can be ready for hard questions.
People skills are essential for spiritual coaching.
The coach should not believe he knows all of the Bible, but he should draw Bible principles God has placed within the part of the client.
Ultimately, the Holy Spirit is every Christian’s teacher.
Spiritual coaches should pray for the client before they meet with them.
Spiritual coaching is primarily about God and His purposes more than the client’s desires.
The Four C’s to building trust in coaching:
Christlike character
Confidence in what you do
Commitment
Care for the person that’s genuine.
Spiritual coaches cannot help others if their mind is constantly reverting back to their own problems.
It is ultimately the client’s responsibility to hear God‘s voice and discern God‘s will. The coach is just a midwife assisting the person.
A consultant answers questions, but a coach questions answers.
The spiritual coach is not trying to prove a point or win a discussion, but rather share insights that will help.
Spiritual coaches must be willing to ask the hard questions.
Spiritual coaches best serve their client when they help them see where they are, develop a plan of action, and make a commitment to follow through.
Spiritual coaches guide someone to take responsibility.
Spiritual coaches should help their clients develop a system of accountability.
10 pitfalls in coaching:
1. Confidentiality. Do not share unless it is a legal or such matter.
2. Being the Bible answer guru.
3. Prayer-less practitioners. Only God can produce true spiritual fruit.
4. Active listening. Careless coaches don’t pay attention and miss out on key information.
5. Skills without character. Words are powerless if your life does not back it up. Strive to have character.
6. Boundary-less coaching.
7. Shade tree psychologist. A coach is not a psychologist, and if he is not willing to refer those that he cannot help, he will hurt people.
8. Self-focused coaching.
9. Confronter and chief. There are times to confront people, but they should do so with ample grace.
10. Coaching the problem and not the person.
August 3, 2021
Blackaby is such a phenomenal teacher. I found myself underlining so much of this book;
if you are a coach, this is a definite MUST read! Much to learn, as you grow into the coaching world. As a coach I always read and update myself with Godly guidance from good teachers Like Blackaby. Without giving away all his teachings, I would simply say, grab the book yourself and have a notebook with a highlighter - pray and let God guide as you continue to learn how to reach people !!!
if you are a coach, this is a definite MUST read! Much to learn, as you grow into the coaching world. As a coach I always read and update myself with Godly guidance from good teachers Like Blackaby. Without giving away all his teachings, I would simply say, grab the book yourself and have a notebook with a highlighter - pray and let God guide as you continue to learn how to reach people !!!
August 14, 2025
Very Informative
I couldn’t understand why God lead me to get a Master of Science in Psychology with a focus on Life Coaching and to start a business but struggle to gain clients. I wasn’t ready to coach anyone from a spiritual perspective. God wanted me to know that coaching isn’t about leading women to heal through celibacy but connecting with Him is the only way to heal. This book has brought so much clarity to me regarding my niche coaching.
I couldn’t understand why God lead me to get a Master of Science in Psychology with a focus on Life Coaching and to start a business but struggle to gain clients. I wasn’t ready to coach anyone from a spiritual perspective. God wanted me to know that coaching isn’t about leading women to heal through celibacy but connecting with Him is the only way to heal. This book has brought so much clarity to me regarding my niche coaching.
December 24, 2019
Reading Experiencing God was transformational for me in discipleship, so I had high expectations for this book. While there good principles are clearly explained, I felt like my expectations weren't met. Good spiritual coaching is described as listening well, asking questions and speaking intentionally with as few words as possible.
July 9, 2024
excellent resource and guide to Christian coaching in the ministry context. Good overview of coaching, but really good in the ins and outs of spiritual discernment in the context of a coaching relationship.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews