by Rich Weigel
God expects your loyalty, and you have the right to expect it from other Christians. In addition, your clients have the right to expect it from you because loyalty is faithfulness to whom faithfulness is due. There is no escaping the reality that as a Christian coach you should be a role model for others. That’s why another attribute of Christian coaching is one of loyalty.
God expects your loyalty to him! He is willing to tell you how to do things well, but it begins with your loyalty to him. He does not tell you what you should do as an occupation, but he can tell you how to effectively do whatever you choose to do. He knows how you can get things done to yield the best results and create a greater good. Your loyalty to God will help you grow as a Christian coach.
Proverbs 3:6 – In everything you do, put God first, and he will direct you and crown your efforts with success.
Loyalty is a good frame of reference for working with your clients. Do you have their back? How are you at giving them another chance? What will you say about them to others? If you want to be a successful coach, you’re going to need to be loyal to your clients and prayerfully, they will become loyal to you. Loyalty includes telling the truth when it’s hard to hear. Loyalty means being professional with each other.
When the people who are supposed to be working with you are not loyal, then you will have trouble doing the work that needs to be done. Loyalty is an important bond of confidentiality, follow through, and keeping your word.
Proverbs 17:17 (NLT) – A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need.
What does loyalty look or sound like? Whether it’s how you approach God, approach others, or how others approach you, loyalty has some clear demonstrations. Here are just a few.
- Someone loyal to you sees you as an individual and not simply as a title, group, or entity. They are loyal to you despite your human frailties or mistakes. They will not abandon you when the going gets tough.
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- Your loyalty to God means you have a personal relationship with him. You may not always get your way, but you remain loyal because you know that God is true to His Word and always has your best interest in his sovereign mind.
- Someone loyal to you will tell you the truth. A loyal friend might be the only one to tell you something you don’t want to hear – but need to hear.
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- Your loyalty to God includes you always be truthful with him. You tell God the truth of what you feel, need, and think. You open your heart to Him so he can help you.
- Someone who is loyal doesn’t say one thing to you and something else to others. They don’t slander, undermine, or talk behind your back.
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- Your loyalty to God is speaking up for your faith in Him. You never allow yourself to compromise being a Christian. You speak boldly about who you are in Christ.
- Someone who is loyal will back you up when the going is rough. They may disagree with you in private, but when the final decision is made, they’ll back you up all the way.
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- Your loyalty to God means that you always bring your doubts and fears to Him. You go to God when things are rough, and you tell others the great things God has done for you.
- Someone who is loyal to you believes in your vision. They express to others that they believe you can do what you say you can, plan, and want to do.
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- Your loyalty to God includes believing that God will fulfill His promises and you are willing to step out on them. You believe in God’s vision for your life and your eternal future.
- Someone who is loyal to you does the job they have been given to do. They don’t pretend or make excuses. Certainly, they can talk to you about their concerns, but they do the job and somehow they’ll get it done.
- Your loyalty to God is doing whatever He has called you to do. Whatever He has called you to do – you’ll put everything you have into doing it. If you’ve been called by God to lead, then you need to be obedient to that calling.
God expects loyalty between Christians because loyalty to each other begins with the bond you have to Christ. That bond is unbreakable, and all believers should work together and treat each other in a way that shows a preference to each other because that shows your loyalty to God. There were times that the children of Israel were not loyal to God and thus they were not loyal to each other. How can someone be loyal to God but not loyal to fellow believers? That’s not possible.
Romans 12:10 (NASB) – Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor.
Consider the coaching outcome multiplier that aligns with the loyalty that you model to and with others. It’s worth considering as another strong attribute of being a Christian coach.
