What is Christian coaching?
Life coaching is, in general terms, the process of coming along side someone and helping them identify where they are, where they want to be, and how to get there. Christian coaching takes that concept and moves it into the light of Scripture and frames it in a Christian worldview.
Based on the concept that God has a plan for your life and is eager to enable you to live it, Christian coaching facilitates your discovery of that plan and encourages you as you flesh it out.
It is different from counseling. Counseling focuses on the past and how to recover from its effects so you can function well in the present. Christian coaching looks forward and encourages you to develop strategies for overcoming obstacles and achieving dreams.
It is also different from mentoring. A Christian mentor encourages growth by imparting what God has given him or her. A Christian coach draws what God has given you out where you can use it.
Consider a personal trainer, she works with you first to determine where you are, where your weaknesses and strengths lie, and together you decide what you can realistically expect to achieve, and how to do it. She is all about you, providing encouragement and accountability, keeping you focused on the ultimate goal, and urging you to stretch out of your comfort zone because she knows you can do it.
Christian coaching provides you with a similar relationship. It is all about you. Your coach helps you rekindle hope and shines the light of God's grace on the dreams He put in your heart. She encourages you and holds you accountable, helps you plan, and cheers you on to become who God created you to be. He holds you up in prayer and is the keeper of your dreams.