Great coaches are essential. Small group coaches train, shepherd, and motivate small group leaders. Those small group leaders then shepherd the small group members in their group. When coaches do their job effectively small group leaders are much more apt to effectively train, shepherd, and motivate the group members under their care.
Most churches struggle to find the coaches needed. So let’s consider what things to keep in mind while looking for coaches and where we can find future coaches.
What should I keep in mind when seeking out coaches?
- Coaches are leaders of leaders.
- Your best coaches may not be great small group leaders.
- Great small group leaders don’t always make great coaches.
- Coaches are often called on to give wise counsel.
- Removing a great small group leader and making them a coach contradicts the ultimate purpose of a small group ministry — making disciples through small groups.
Where can I find effective coaches?
- In small groups. Great coaches are often tucked away inside a small group and, given the opportunity, would be honored to be a coach.
- In businesses. Maturing disciples at your church who also manage people in the business where they work often make great coaches. You may need to aid them in understanding that they are shepherding people, not managing people.
- On teams and committees. People are often chosen to chair or serve on teams and/or committees at the church because they are natural leaders and are respected by the church leadership and the church body. These two qualities are essential to coaching.
Rick Howerton has one passion — to see “a biblical small group within walking distance of every person on the planet making disciples that make disciples.” He is pursuing this passion as the small group and discipleship specialist at LifeWay Church Resources.
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