by Pamela Mertz
Serving One Another
Gal 5:13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
Through coaching, we are serving our one anothers. Let’s explore this a bit more and see how this concept can apply to Christian coaching.
Serving as a coach is done by being conscientious of all the details for your clients. We can serve well by setting up a clear agreement and “onboarding’ process for them; clearly defining what coaching is and is not; setting up clear expectations around session length, frequency, and cost are all ways to serve in a loving way. Taking care of the details and walking clients through your processes helps them to settle in, feel safe and able to receive from God in new fresh ways through the coaching process.
Be sure this includes an easy way to reach you initially for that Exploration or Discovery Call as well as being clear in the paperwork/agreement that is presented to them to contract with you.
We also serve well by being on time and managing the length of the coaching call. Letting the client know that you are aware of the time, and you will take them through the coaching process in a timely manner, ending on time as well. Come to the call prepared, calm and fresh from prayer so that you can be fully present for your client.
Serving also applies to how you coach them, listening at “Level 4” by hearing the Holy Spirit and saying what He is saying for your client. These are what I call “smarter than me” thoughts that drop and formulate into powerful questions for clients. Being that branch that Jesus talks about in John 5, and staying attached to the vine for what you need to be able to serve with depth.
Managing the coaching process well by setting a firm agreement in each session, so the client is aware of what they want at the end of your time together is serving. Also making sure that you are efficient with your words, letting the client have the bulk of the “air time”. Let silence do the heavy lifting at times, so they can hear directly from God. Another simple but powerful way to serve your clients with love.
Some coaches like to serve by offering a check-in or a review after 6 months or a year to allow the client to reflect and see their progress. Celebrating with them is serving them well. Celebration is not something we often give ourselves permission to do. The world is on to the next achievement, task and list. By holding that space for your clients to celebrate and be celebrated is a space where they can think on “these things that are lovely and of good report” as Paul states to us in Phil 4:8. This affects brain chemistry and allows clients to receive a good dopamine brain bathing, which is healthy for our physical bodies and satisfying to the soul.
Serving our clients in love is what we are made for as Christian Coaches. How are you aware of serving in love? What is God showing you that He would like to do through you for your clients? When will you give this new serving idea a try? Who might you share it with, so they can celebrate with you?
Pamela Mertz, CPCC, PCC is passionate about Christian coaching and loves sharing how God continues to show her how impactful it is for the world! She works with many Christian coaches around the globe through her roles at Promised Land Living, Professional Christian Coaching Institute and CCNI as Board Secretary. For more information about Pamela you can visit her website at www.blueprintlife.com
