Some Thoughts About Christian Coaching
There are three big, related questions I keep asking, both in my own life, and in the lives of anyone I work with as a Christian coach. They are: "How is God Speaking to you?"; "How is God moving in your life?"; and "What is he calling you to do?"  Two of the best resources available to help us answer these questions are: Daily, intentional Bible reading, and a very active prayer life. Saint Paul told us to "pray without ceasing." It's good advice. In addition, being in community with other believers is also extremely important in helping us to stay grounded and accountable.
I think there are also some other valuable resources that might not seem so obvious. One of these is humor. I believe an active, well developed sense of humor can greatly bless a person's life of faith. For example, consider that the Bible warns us against the sin of pride, and urges us toward humility. Humor can do wonders here. I have a friend who is a very celebrated physician, a gastroenterologist. He has all of his relevant framed degrees on the wall of his office. But if you look closely you can see that the frame right above his desk holds the certificate for his graduation from fourth grade! My friend put this funny joke up on his wall to remind him not to take himself too seriously. A wonderful use of humor! (For a fuller discussion of this topic, see my essay, "Is There Room for Laughter in Christianity?")
Another important resource for Christians is the ability and the willingness to innovate and Think Outside the Box. Jesus was a supreme practitioner of thinking outside the box. Consider the parable he told about "The Good Samaritan." In this story, a man was on the road to Jericho and was beaten up by robbers and left for dead. Two of his countrymen (who were religious authorities!) came along and passed him by. Then a third man came along and arranged to get the injured man food, lodging, and medical attention. Who was this merciful person? The big surprise in this story is the fact that the man who was so helpful was from an alien ethnic group. He was a Samaritan. An enemy!
Or consider another story Jesus told, this one about "The Prodigal Son." In this story, the son of a landowner asks his father for his inheritance. The father obligingly gives it to him and the son goes on his way to a distant land, where he squanders all his money on high living. He is now destitute and without food. His only hope is to return home and beg his father to hire him as a lowly servant. He knows he has given up any claim to his earlier role as one of his father's sons. So he trudges home. But what does his father do? Surprise! The father honors him, celebrates his return, and restores him to a central place in the family!
The resolution to this story was radically counter to tradition and expectation. Once again Jesus surprised his listeners. He constantly thought outside the box and urges us to do the same! (For a fuller discussion of this topic, see my essay, "Jesus Wants You to Think Outside the Box." Also note that I have a brief course available on CD, titled, "How to Think Outside the Box.")
Another valuable resource in Christian coaching is conflict resolution. In addition to writing, I have been involved in conflict resolution for the last ten years. Much of that work has been in the secular arena. In fact, for three years I was a mediator for the Los Angeles County Court Dispute Resolution Program. But I feel particularly drawn to practicing the art of conflict resolution in the context of faith. Jesus calls us to wholeness and holiness. There have been many times in the crucible of conflict, when I have witnessed how God can bring about miraculous healing in broken relationships.
Finally, I believe the most important thing in Christian coaching is just to realize that if we invite God into our lives he will come! But he will never come into our lives the way we think he will. He is always the God of Surprises! He has wonderful surprises in store for each of us, if only we can turn our lives over to him and have faith. God's fantasy life for us is vastly better than our own fantasy life for ourselves.
I invite you to embark on the great, cosmic journey of the Spirit.
AWARDS
WRITING
Emmy Award (shared) for "The Monkees" TV show. Member of the original writing staff.
"Best Graphic Novel Award" in the National Best Books 2007 Awards
Ten "Best Film Awards" for humorous films and videos for schools and businesses
CONFLICT RESOLUTION
"Outstanding Case Award," 2001, in the Los Angeles County Court Alternative Dispute Program. (This is the largest alternative dispute program in the country, and handles 14,000 cases a year.)
"Outstanding Case Award," 2000, in the Los Angeles County Court Alternative Dispute Program.
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