CoachNet Campfire

 

 

Unabashedly I love Patrick the Patron Saint of Ireland.

 

 

He may be one of the best and brightest examples of a truly missional leader: humble, fearless, compassionate and grace-filled.  Thus it is only fitting that, despite not knowing his story, he is the cause the for this one day each year when everyone wants to be Irish. 

 

Most people do not know that he wasn’t even Irish, he was English!  Captured by pirates as a young man and sold into slavery to a hard and sometimes cruel Irish Chieftain and made to herd cattle. During this time he crossed the line of faith and became a follower of Jesus. Led to escape by way of a dream and a superstitious ship’s crew he fled to Gaul and eventually to Rome. He became a priest. Fueled by a genuine love for his former captors and their culture he approached the Pope and was ordained the first ever, missionary bishop. With a small band of priests, nuns and seminarians he journeyed back to land of his captivity.  Their his band would establish camps just outside villages where they would serve and befriend the people thus earning their trust. Patrick and his band knew the “Wild” Irish loved stories, poetry, song and imagination. They also had deep reverence for life, nature and love. They were enchanted with the number three These along with a more or less unified language empowered Patrick to reach deep into the soul of the Irish people and eventually to the conversion of most of Ireland, Scotland, England and many parts of northern Eurpoe. 

In “A Letter to the Soldiers of Coroticus,” Patrick wrote: The Confession of Saint Patrick. 

I am Patrick, yes a sinner and indeed untaught; yet I am established here in Ireland where I profess myself bishop.

I am certain in my heart that “all that I am,” I have received from God.

So I live among barbarous tribes, a stranger for the love of God.

He himself testifies that this is so.

I never would have wanted these harsh words to spill from my mouth; I am not in the  habit of speaking so sharply.

Yet now I am driven by the zeal of God, Christ’s truth has aroused me.

I speak out too for the love of my neighbors who are my only sons;

for them I gave up my home country, my parents and even pushing my own life to the brink of death.

If I have any worth, it is to live my life for God so as to teach these peoples;

even though some of them still look down on me.

Patrick Patron Saint of All Missionaries.  The more I learn of him the more I want to be just like him.  Most people have no idea who he was or why we celebrate the anniversary of his death.  Suffice it to say he was while not even Irish he was and is the greatest of her men.  Do some research you will be astounded…truly.  I have now written two short biographies in an attempt to tell his story and deleted them both from my blog as I think you will be amazed at what you find if you dig for his story on your own.  George Hunter III’s excellent little book, THE CELTIC WAY OF EVANGELISM is a great place to start.

Patrick, it is said, once wrote:

Christ be with me, Christ within me,

Christ behind me, Christ before me, 

Christ beside me, Christ to win me,

Christ to comfort and restore me, 

Christ beneath me, Christ above me,

Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,

Christ in hearts of all that love me,

Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

from The Lorica.

 

Tomorrow let us celebrate the life of this missional man. 

Happy St. Patrick’s Day.

I recently submitted an article to The Journal of Christian Coaching. It’s a new publication, so check it out if you haven’t had the chance yet. My article was on the power of networks for coaches.

As I’m sure many of you know firsthand, coaches can feel pretty isolated sometimes. Those of us in the people-helping business are often among the most lonely people on the planet. That applies to pastors, missionaries, counselors, and other leaders as well.

I’ve seen firsthand the power of leaders connecting with one another. Twenty-five years ago, I ran into exactly the same problem of isolation when I was working with church planters. By forming planter networks, we learned a lot about how networks can function effectively, and those same principles apply to networks of pastors and coaches.

Often there is an assumption that if we gather good people in the room, networks will just work. Yet in reality, they won’t sustain themselves without certain elements in place. To organize any type of network effectively, whether small or large, formal or informal, you’ll need clarity about what you’re trying to accomplish and clarity about how you’re choosing to work together.

How have you connected with others in networks? What practices have you found helpful for getting on the right track? Tell us about a time when you’ve seen coach networks really work.

Amazing to realize, but I have been directly involved in church planting work for nearly 30 years. When I first started, few resources existed. New church developers were expected to find their own way through trial and error. I was no exception. In the midst of my own pain, fear of failure, and frustration, I cried out to God for help. When God answered my prayer I promised to turn His help into mutual learning among church planters so we could all be more fruitful in the harvest.I longed to have someone come alongside me as a Barnabas… someone who would listen to my dreams and visions… encourage and cheer me on… someone who would ask probing and powerful questions to sharpen my thinking… help me turn obstacles into opportunities… believe in me when it seemed like nobody else did… care about my family relationships… pray for me strategically and personally.

What I needed — but did not have the vocabulary for at the time — was a coach to help me discover what God wanted me to do so I could cooperate with the Holy Spirit and others to see my vision become a reality. I am convinced that my fruitfulness as a church planter would have doubled through a consistent, quality coaching relationship.

Coaching is not just for those starting out in ministry. Today, I still need a coach to walk with me through the journey, perhaps more than when I was a church planter. As my vision increases, so does the tension between what is and what could be. With my coach I take time to reflect and refocus on the truly important, the few essential things which, if done with excellence, really make a difference. As I’ve often said, “There’s always enough time to do God’s will.” I don’t need to go through life overloaded and overwhelmed. As I grow in character, cultivate wisdom, and hone my leadership skills, life can be more fruitful with less pressure. I am still learning and relearning how to do this effectively.

I am convinced that coaching is key to making and multiplying disciples, to raising and reproducing leaders, to starting and multiplying churches.

I know what I’m doing for the rest of my life. I am coaching others. I will help them mobilize and train quality coaches who in turn will multiply themselves into other coaches. I long for the day that a “coaching culture” permeates every facet of our lives and ministries — so that the kingdom of God advances and penetrates every segment of society. To God be the glory!