CoachNet Campfire

“We don’t need another program,” Mark said gloomily, his voice matching the grey slanting rain pelting the window of the conference room. Several others in the meeting shook their heads in agreement as they looked at Vivian. Anger and frustration rose in her throat as once again her passion for coaching was dismissed out of hand as merely a ‘program.’  With much effort she swallowed and replied, “Mark I whole heartedly agree, the last thing we need is another program. So you are simply misunderstanding, coaching is not a program it is a way for all of us to become more effective at what we are called to do,” her voice sounding more strained than she wanted. “How many times do we have to go over this?” she thought to herself.

“It sure has all the markings of a ‘program,’“ Carl interrupted. “After all, you are talking about training events, meetings, assessments, on-line gizmos and budget dollars. If that’s not a program then I don’t know what is!”  His voice seemed to get much louder than necessary.  

“Why is this upsetting to you?” Vivian asked with fleeting courage.

“It is upsetting, Vivian,” Carl retorted waving his hands his hands for effect, “because we are all already way over-budget, over-programmed and overwhelmed as it is! And now you are suggesting we make time to attend training, learn to change everything we are doing and to top it all off need to find money to do it!”   

“Carl and Mike I respect you both,” Vivian said calming herself before she went on, “am I hearing you say, even though coaching has been proven to increase ministry effectiveness, more quickly develop leaders and greatly increase fruitfulness. You would choose to not engage in developing coaching skills and a coaching system because you haven’t got the time, energy or resources to invest in that which can give us back time, energy and resources?”

“Not in those words no, of course not,” Carl intoned.  

“Well, what’s the real problem? Do you not understand what coaching is or do you not believe it actually works?”

“Look Vivian I appreciate your enthusiasm but we’re not going to argue about this or take up any more time from our meeting today.” Carl said as he pushed the topic aside. “Besides we’ve got real work to do today.”

The last words stung. Vivian’s jaw dropped. Carl’s careless words had hurt her unnecessarily. None the less she persisted. ”Ok Carl, answer this I will let the matter rest for now, what will it take to help you to at least become open to the idea of coaching?”

Carl looked up blinked and said, “results.”

One of the more difficult obstacles coaches for those who serve inside organizations, i.e. churches, denominational structures and mission agencies, etc. view coaching merely as another program to be layered upon an already burdensome day-planner.

So put yourself in Vivian’s shoes, what would you do?