Last month we noted a story told by Jane Creswell, creator of On Purpose Ministries.  Creswell also noted that most denominations have devoted multi-million dollar budgets to developing centralized programs designed to be used on a congregational level, saving local churches the huge investment of staff and budget required to generate these materials.  However, in spite of this well-meaning and well-funded venture, the overall results have fallen well short of the potential envisioned.  Why? 

Every church is different.  Each has diverse memberships and different callings, ministries, focus areas, and giftings.  Centrally developed “one-size-fits-all” programs were too generic, too big in some cases, too hard to implement given the unique situation of each congregation, or even too watered down.  The churches tried to use these programs, but they just did not fit. 

The churches found that they had to invest additional work to customize the programs to fit their individual needs.  They began to question the whole idea of centrally developed materials.  In addition, by generating nonspecific programs, it is harder to come back after the fact and allow the Holy Spirit to guide unique congregations in using the gifts of individuals and groups within a specific church.

After years of this kind of failure to really meet the needs of individual church bodies, denominational groups are taking a hard look at the situation and keep coming back to the question, “Why produce these big, generic programs?  Why not look at each individual church—with its unique gifts, abilities, callings, and desired ministry—and then tailor for that congregation something that best utilizes the strengths and unified purpose to go and make disciples?” 

I believe that coaches are the most qualified to do just what is needed to be done. Coaching is a powerful tool with which the Holy Spirit can customize the ministries of individual congregations.  They have seen congregations begin to utilize their combined strengths and abilities to work together as part of a community of faith.  The pastor is freed up to be the pastor, instead of doing all the tasks of the church are roles are redefined.  One of the biggest shifts in this process is, indeed, the pastor’s moving from the center of the congregational universe to an integrated part of the community.  Yet, by this, the community members can work toward the same goals, all contributing with the gifts given to them for that purpose.  The results have been dynamic. 

In commenting on the results of this shift in his church, one congregational pastor shared:

All of my ministry responsibilities have been transformed!  Not only coaching relationships, but the way I now approach the other churches we serve.  I am more comfortable with this…this is just me!  It was amazing the other night to see a former finance committee become an insight/management team…move from doing a program budget to developing a “values driven budget.”  This was developed through coaching rather than consulting.  Their reaction was awesome!  To God be the glory! 

Another pastor and staff of a transitioning church have found encouragement, help, and support to face the trials and challenges of moving an old downtown congregation forward into more effective ministry, reaching a new generation.  This pastor and staff recently told their coach, “We could have never hung in this long and been this effective without your support and encouragement . . .” 

In a different setting, a denominational leader reported, “During our coaching sessions I have detected a definite comfort zone in which I have been used to working, one in which I could control the ultimate outcomes.  I needed to release this need to control and recognize that there is more than one way to get to a certain place.  I realized that if I am going to help people grow, they must be honored, respected and valued, the way my coach relates to me.” 

Other individuals have reported that they have come to a career and faith crossroads, a sort of moment of reality and enlightenment, where they have honestly questioned their own vision and values in a way that sets them on a more deliberate path of personal spiritual fulfillment.  Congregational coaching can result in life-changing shifts such as transforming individuals, groups, and whole churches into powerfully effective tools in the Master’s hands.