I’m hesitant to make the comparison from the world of sport to that of ministry simply because “coaching” is far more directive on the playing field than it is in the arena of ministry leadership. None the less there are many lessons to be learned from those whose coaching is more widely known on the playing field. One lesson was the difference a coach truly makes for a team.

I walked out on the field and stood at the fifty-yard line. This was a place of greatness. Sports history had been made here in Tuscaloosa at the University of Alabama where the legendary coach Paul “Bear” Bryant led the “Crimson Tide” to six national championships. It was easy to imagine the roar of the crowd in that darkened stadium that shares his name. As I later toured the Bryant Museum I read an astounding quote about him made by the equally legendary coach Lou Holtz, “He can take his team and beat yours, and he can take your team and beat his.”

That’s what a great coach can do—inspire a team, any team, to play to the best of its ability. . . and then some. That’s why, in the world of sports, when the team wins the coach gets a raise, and when the team loses the coach gets fired. A coach makes that much of a difference.

How much of a difference am I making in the lives of those I’m coaching? Are they growing as Christ followers? Is he or she being stretched? Are they leading more effectively? Are they more engaged in their community? Is their ministry gaining greater fruitfulness? It is very helpful to stop once in a while and simply ask:

“What difference am I making in the lives of those I’m coaching?”

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.

My wife Jodi and I have children. Two to be exact. Blond, blue and born for the stage. They both dance and sing. Therefore I’ve spent a lot of time at both the dance and music studios. Each visit reveals dozens of aspiring performers diligently going through their lessons, rehearsals and practicing various aspects of their particular passion. Over and over. And it all makes sense since, the convention wisdom suggests, “practice makes perfect.” However, an occasional bad note, step or enunciation will creep in. If repeated often enough, our wise vocal instructor said, “practice does not make perfect, practice makes permanent!” Repetition alone does not aid a performer, only in the repetition of what is right can an artist find that place of perfection. Therefore nearly all growth for a performer is not in repetition but in the breaking of old ways of doing things, relearning new ways and incorporating them into their repertoire. How wise that instructor’s insight.

You and I work with leaders whose work involves a great deal of repetition, tradition and other kinds credible of experiences. But often times they are stuck, unable to move forward due to long rehearsed and now seemingly permanent bad habits. Here’s where a coach can be so strategic. In helping leaders spot those deeply entrenched, seemingly benign habits and challenge them to stop. To break the cycle and help them discover and embrace more effective ways and therefore grow.

“What is God wanting me to stop repeating, unlearn, relearn and replace?”

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!