Your responsibility will be to coach a person who desires to enter the ministry. Someone has said that a coach is "a brain to pick, a shoulder to cry on and, when needed, will give a kick in the seat of the pants." Although this might seem a bit facetious, it really describes the role of a coach:

• A brain to pick. You should be a resource person for the student, not only to clarify thosepoints of truth in the curriculum that need clarification, but you are also an advisor ashe/she moves out into ministry and "tries his wings." The student will learn not only fromwhat you say, but from the way you think and reflect.
• A shoulder to cry on. There are times of discouragement, both personal and ministerial, inwhich the student needs a "sympathetic" ear. Don't be afraid to become transparent beforethe student, expressing your anxieties and times of discouragement, both past and present,in the ministry.
• A kick in the seat of the pants. Sometimes the student needs a word of exhortation tocontinue in the ministry or in his studies. Your job is to encourage and prod him/her to"keep on keeping on."
• You are also a model to see. We usually talk in principles, but learn from models. Studentsneed to see ministry skills and perspectives "incarnated" in order to learn. Once they havelearned a particular way of doing something, they can then go on to develop their own styleand approach. Sometimes it can be vicarious (talking about your approaches and experiences), and other times is live (when they see how you actually perform, and discussit with you).

"And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others." II Tim. 2:2 "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." Pr. 27:17

We believe many of our pastors, lay leaders, and churches can be significantly helped through intentional coaching relationships. These relationships may take different forms in response to differing circumstances. Regardless of the delivery system, we will strive to hold to these core values in our coaching relationships:

• We will focus on character formation and ministry /skill development in a balanced inter-related manner.
• We will seek to assess where the student is by careful listening and provide both professional and personal help to meet the specific needs.
• We will encourage a relationship of mutual sharing and respect.
• We understand that not all mentoring relationships will be marked by "total" mutuality. Some relationships involve authority structures and situations that require some distance. But we will seek to bridge that distance with love and respect.
• We will exhibit genuine care and concern, seeking to carry one another's burdens.
• We will celebrate one another's victories and progress.
• We will lovingly confront issues and roadblocks in one another's life and ministry in a redemptive manner.
• We are committed to listening and asking good questions.
• We will seek to be preventive by being accountable to one another.
• We are committed to developing leaders and reproducing ourselves as coaches.
• We will respect the importance of confidentiality and guard the integrity of the relationship.
• We will seek to model mutual honesty, vulnerability and "teachability.".
• We will each take the initiative in this relationship as "iron sharpens iron.".
• We will work toward the multiplication of ministries and ministers. We believe this kind of an intentional coaching relationship is honoring to God.

We further believe God will use this kind of a relationship to: assist both parties in their spiritual and professional development; to develop confident Christ-like leaders; and move our churches toward Great Commission health.