What are Pastors and Congregations Saying about Congregational Coaching?
As a result of our congregational coaching with Eddie, we have experienced tremendous missional movement in touching our immediate community for Christ and, specifically, using the apartments our church acquired in 2007 as a hub of ministry targeting the working poor, college students, and senior adults to meet educational, vocational, medical, and spiritual needs. Ministries such as work with the unsheltered homeless, a monthly medical clinic, an after-school program for children, college student work, a community garden, and the hiring of an Oakmont Community Center minister who lives in the apartments are among a few examples that have emerged and/or been enhanced as a result of Eddie’s coaching and from the influence of our weekly spiritual formation groups at Oakmont.
Dr. Greg Rogers, Pastor Oakmont Baptist Church, Greenville, NC
Dr. Greg Rogers, Pastor Oakmont Baptist Church, Greenville, NC
Rev. Ginger Isom, pastor of a United Methodist church in Greeneville, Tennessee, celebrates a variety of new partnerships with community agencies and congregations to help her small congregation deepen their impact and influence in the community. An online radio talk show, a community garden, and a host of mobilizing of lay leaders has occurred in last two years!
Rev. Ginger Isom, pastor of United Methodist Church, Greeneville, TN
Rev. Ginger Isom, pastor of United Methodist Church, Greeneville, TN
The three-step process of orientation/reality check, assessment/discovery, and interpreting data/discernment worked well. The openness of the process as well as the adaptability to our context was refreshing. While a step-by-step guide would have alleviated some fear for the majority of leaders, I appreciated the way the method employed by Eddie stretched us beyond our comfort zones and linear ways of thinking.
The staff and leaders were impacted the most. The impact was greatest in the area of being forced to come face-to-face with the realities of the world in which we live and the position of the church. The impact was also great in regards to the hope, excitement, and energy that were produced because of the journey. Likewise, relationships were deepened and new ones were begun.
I would highly recommend this journey for congregations seeking to understand the reality of where they find themselves in order to discern ways to move forward beyond the four walls of the church.
Randy McKinney, Pastor Longview Baptist, Raleigh, NC
The staff and leaders were impacted the most. The impact was greatest in the area of being forced to come face-to-face with the realities of the world in which we live and the position of the church. The impact was also great in regards to the hope, excitement, and energy that were produced because of the journey. Likewise, relationships were deepened and new ones were begun.
I would highly recommend this journey for congregations seeking to understand the reality of where they find themselves in order to discern ways to move forward beyond the four walls of the church.
Randy McKinney, Pastor Longview Baptist, Raleigh, NC
First, I would like to offer my thanks for your guidance, your candor, and your expertise as Longview completes this discernment process in the coming weeks. One thing that has become clear to (most) of the folks that have participated in the visioning sessions with you is the difference between a consultant and a coach!
I have been doing some thinking as to what this has meant to me over the past couple of months. Although I haven't been able to participate in every action that has been recommended to complete the process, it has been very thought provoking, and really paradigm shifting in how I have thought about “church.” And I guess that’s the real objective, to shake conventional beliefs and notions to the core in order to reshape the mold of how our church interacts with those in the church community—those that live in the same physical vicinity as the church location, those that church members interact with on a regular basis, AND those that church members may simply encounter intentionally or unintentionally. The key result of this to me has been the idea of expanding Longview's sphere of influence through utilizing the conventional strengths we have but also realizing that culture today (use of social media, busy lifestyles, falling regular churchgoers) will make it hard for our church to grow in huge numbers (and also this really shouldn't be our metric of church success) but presents huge opportunities to develop an expanded sphere of influence. And these opportunities— and new methods of interaction—must be embraced because change is REAL, it's HERE, and it’s not going back to the 1960s, as some undoubtedly would like to see. And only those churches that embrace the opportunities given by the brave new world of 2011—and the future—cultural mores are going to thrive in what our ultimate goal should be—simply to have as much influence as we can in bringing people to a closer relationship to Jesus Christ. And to realize that, as much as we would like new members to fill our pews and our coffers, future success for Longview won’t be measured in the number of people that are members of our church but will be measured in far less quantitative and definitive metrics.
Josh Spencer, Deacon
I have been doing some thinking as to what this has meant to me over the past couple of months. Although I haven't been able to participate in every action that has been recommended to complete the process, it has been very thought provoking, and really paradigm shifting in how I have thought about “church.” And I guess that’s the real objective, to shake conventional beliefs and notions to the core in order to reshape the mold of how our church interacts with those in the church community—those that live in the same physical vicinity as the church location, those that church members interact with on a regular basis, AND those that church members may simply encounter intentionally or unintentionally. The key result of this to me has been the idea of expanding Longview's sphere of influence through utilizing the conventional strengths we have but also realizing that culture today (use of social media, busy lifestyles, falling regular churchgoers) will make it hard for our church to grow in huge numbers (and also this really shouldn't be our metric of church success) but presents huge opportunities to develop an expanded sphere of influence. And these opportunities— and new methods of interaction—must be embraced because change is REAL, it's HERE, and it’s not going back to the 1960s, as some undoubtedly would like to see. And only those churches that embrace the opportunities given by the brave new world of 2011—and the future—cultural mores are going to thrive in what our ultimate goal should be—simply to have as much influence as we can in bringing people to a closer relationship to Jesus Christ. And to realize that, as much as we would like new members to fill our pews and our coffers, future success for Longview won’t be measured in the number of people that are members of our church but will be measured in far less quantitative and definitive metrics.
Josh Spencer, Deacon
(Small rural struggling congregation with about 30 in average attendance) Regards their progress on goals clarified through the coaching process. “just some comments about last night and last Sundays Congregational meeting. If you missed last night, you missed an absolutely fantastic bible study night and discussion. We had a little smaller crowd due to previous commitments’ but the discipleship topic of the dvd and the subsequent discussions (including our visitors) were simply outstanding. We are gaining spiritual momentum with every session. I love it!! Great job Julia!!!!!! It excites me to see how you have embraced this concept and how dedicated you are to growing and improving it. As far as Sunday night, I was just blown away by what came out of this meeting and how excited everyone was (especially the congregation). GOD is in this folks!! When we started I felt like we were 9 people in a life boat that was taking water slowly (we were bailing hard to stay afloat) and now, I feel like we are on board a cruise ship with 30+people headed to destination unknown but excited and looking forward to the journey!!!!! I was excited about this from the beginning, now I'm off the charts!!!!!!! "THANK YOU" from the bottom of my heart for your dedication, hard work, commitment passion, excitement and love for your church and this process. We serve an awesome GOD that loves you and so do I.
Elder at Midway Presbyterian Church, Maxton, NC – Congregational Coach – Interim Pastor – Drag Kimrey
Endorsement by Midway Presbyterian Church’s Congregational Coach “Recently I completed the requirements for certification as a congregational coach. I was Supply Pastor for a small Presbyterian church in rural Robeson County, N.C. In order to satisfy the requirements for certification I employed recently learned skills that helped this congregation to begin to answer the question they posed to me at my interview with the Session, “What do we have to do to grow?” At the time of the interview I had no idea. This was a small church in the middle of nowhere. How could it grow? I was thinking the same as they: growth meant numerical growth; more people to help pay the bills. Today after leading this congregation through congregational coaching I now know that the expected demise of such a congregation has been put on hold and may even have been fully eliminated. The congregational coaching process has brought forth a new energy among the people. The congregational coaching process has identified that numerical growth must first begin with congregational spiritual growth. The congregational coaching process has shown that the congregation moves forward into the future using the power of its identified strengths and not dwelling on its weaknesses or poor demographic situation. I believe that congregational coaching is an appropriate process for the whole congregation and certainly meaningful for smaller groups within the congregation.”
L.D. “Drag” Kimrey, D.Min.
Elder at Midway Presbyterian Church, Maxton, NC – Congregational Coach – Interim Pastor – Drag Kimrey
Endorsement by Midway Presbyterian Church’s Congregational Coach “Recently I completed the requirements for certification as a congregational coach. I was Supply Pastor for a small Presbyterian church in rural Robeson County, N.C. In order to satisfy the requirements for certification I employed recently learned skills that helped this congregation to begin to answer the question they posed to me at my interview with the Session, “What do we have to do to grow?” At the time of the interview I had no idea. This was a small church in the middle of nowhere. How could it grow? I was thinking the same as they: growth meant numerical growth; more people to help pay the bills. Today after leading this congregation through congregational coaching I now know that the expected demise of such a congregation has been put on hold and may even have been fully eliminated. The congregational coaching process has brought forth a new energy among the people. The congregational coaching process has identified that numerical growth must first begin with congregational spiritual growth. The congregational coaching process has shown that the congregation moves forward into the future using the power of its identified strengths and not dwelling on its weaknesses or poor demographic situation. I believe that congregational coaching is an appropriate process for the whole congregation and certainly meaningful for smaller groups within the congregation.”
L.D. “Drag” Kimrey, D.Min.
“Through our coaching process we identified many possible priorities, but before we began, we had a considerable amount of skepticism from some members about the coaching process. They believed it was like a consultative process in which someone would come in, identify our problems, and propose changes. After that we would promptly shelve the proposed changes. But the coaching process was different in that while we got a lot of good direction from Eddie, he led us to diagnose problems ourselves and come up with our own proposed changes. He would tell us what he thought when we asked him to, but he didn’t push his opinions. We were able to develop a consensus on three that were most important. “
Robert Prince, Pastor FBC Waynesville, NC
Robert Prince, Pastor FBC Waynesville, NC
Take aways from their Coaching session included: *
Eastminster Presbyterian Church, Indiana – Mitch Coggins – Congregational Coach
- My priorities are echoed by many. Time management is a challenge during the process.
- Promise, hope, vision has become a step closer. Teamwork is stronger. We are in his to achieve the will of God – and where He is leading us. Exciting!
- Good process. Interesting the amount of agreement. Willingness to discuss difficult topics speaks well for the process.
- Very enlightening. I had no idea how much the church really did need help, or how much the pastor was actually doing for the church.
- Happy with support from those who gave up a day to be here. Worried at the prospect of introducing an entertainment factor into service. Interested to hear thoughts of others-good format. Appreciate what we have-hope we can keep it.
- Good process of getting us to think about goals and priorities of future planning for EPC
- Good presentation with ideas and plans for the future
- Generally good process. Time allotted to meeting might be increased (lot to cover in time-frame)
- Much more awareness. Areas we had not given much thought to. Great to have many opinions.
- Different ways to look at things. Good Meeting
- I thought the session went well. Enjoyed hearing other people’s ideas. I think it is a great idea to involve the entire church in the “brainstorming” process
- Good process. Good give and take. Much clarification needed.
- Set up with table leaders (excellent) We all had ideas, suggestions, all are dedicated individuals and will serve God in the best way and draw more to church.
- My ideas and the ideas (feelings) of others on what we need to do for our church
- Very touching at the sincerity of those in the room. Thoughtful, incisive discussions.
- Seems there are lots to contemplate. Some problems can be easily solved, some will take time.
- Budget issues are important to most of the big problems and we didn’t address that at all. Some people were asked to attend – not always ready to solve problems.
- Concerned that priorities are too specific. Loved process & felt it was good and honest discussion. Large group ideas flowed back and forth easily helping me look behind the eyes of others & think about things my brain hadn’t even conceived.
- I thought it was productive. A little rough starting in terms of processing information, but the energy in the room was great! I thought. I’m very optimistic. Nice job
- The greatest contributions of our coaching process were that it helped us focus on our future instead of our divided past, and it gave us three important priorities on which our highly diverse congregation could agree to focus. At the beginning of the process, we were healing from a church split, and many in our congregation thought we needed to discern the problems that caused people to leave and fix those problems. Furthermore, our church members were pulling in different directions and advocating many different priorities.
Eastminster Presbyterian Church, Indiana – Mitch Coggins – Congregational Coach
