Christian Coaching Competencies

CCNI Competency #2 – Embodies A Coaching Mindset

Develops and maintains a mindset that is open, curious, flexible and client centered.

  1. Acknowledges that clients are responsible for their own choices.
  2. Engages in ongoing learning and development as a Christian coach.
  3. Develops an ongoing reflective practice to enhance one’s coaching.
  4. Remains aware of and open to the influence of context and culture on self and others.
  5. Uses awareness of self and one’s intuition to benefit clients.
  6. Develops and maintains the ability to regulate one’s emotions.
  7. Mentally and emotionally prepares for sessions.
  8. Seeks help from outside sources when necessary.

Christian Coaching Application

This competency embraces the essence of what it means to be a coach. CCNI coaches maintain a mindset of openness, curiosity, flexibility, and client-centeredness. Coaches are open to what God is doing in their own lives, are curious to learn what the Holy Spirit is teaching and are flexible in moving in the way God is leading. The Christian coach takes responsibility for their own spiritual development – seeking to always be growing and maturing in their faith. The Christian coach is committed to the good of their clients and trusts God to bring that about. The Christian coach commits to pray for the clients in preparation for each session and for their good throughout the coaching relationship.

In addition, the CCNI credentialed coach:

  1. Is respectful of the client’s right not to have spiritual references incorporated into the coaching session. When included, however, the coach offers to understand the client’s perspective of what God is doing in the client’s life in order to support that work.
  2. Stays receptive and inquisitive instead of reverting to forms of ministry, preaching, mentoring, pastoring, advising or consulting.
  3. Does not allow genuine concern for client to translate into proselytizing (preaching).
  4. Shows up in a completely collaborative way, never as competitors, convincers, or cajolers; there is comfortable differing with clients on core matters of faith and belief, resisting the pull to agree as well as the pull to express disagreement.
  5. Maintains a positive and inquisitive view and remains hopeful in the client’s potential in Christ.
  6. Does not leverage questions to lead the client toward the coach’s view of what God wants for them.
  7. Trusts God’s providence and timing and recognizes that it is God’s purview to convict, not the coach’s.
  8. Bases questions on what is heard from the client and from the Holy Spirit.