Comments on: Fishing Rods and Coaching http://metrocma.org/ds-blog/fishing-rods-and-coaching/ Thu, 26 Aug 2010 11:37:55 -0700 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: cismsmoorge http://metrocma.org/ds-blog/fishing-rods-and-coaching/comment-page-1/#comment-74 cismsmoorge Fri, 11 Dec 2009 09:52:22 +0000 http://metrocma.org/?p=714#comment-74 Just wanted to sign in after registering and say hi to everyone on the board. - Look forward to reading the conversations here! http://www.alzheimersisnotwaiting.com Just wanted to sign in after registering and say hi to everyone on the board. – Look forward to reading the conversations here!

http://www.alzheimersisnotwaiting.com

]]> By: Dave Billings http://metrocma.org/ds-blog/fishing-rods-and-coaching/comment-page-1/#comment-55 Dave Billings Sat, 27 Jun 2009 01:59:30 +0000 http://metrocma.org/?p=714#comment-55 Hi Bruce - nice, concise article. As I read it, the thought that stood out was the part about "Jesus called the disciples to be with him." While I appreciate what the District has done in the area of coaching, I do find that "with him" concept missing. It's one thing to talk every other week on the phone, but being physically with your disciple needs to somehow be incorporated into the mix. I'm not sure how that can happen within the district setting, but I see it as a need. As I strive to disciple men @ MAC, I find that phone conversations are not enough. I regularly meet with them, as well as stay in contact via phone, email, even hand written notes. But I know the local setting is different than the District setting because we as Pastors are on site, while District coaches have a larger geographical setting to cover. Yet, if the coaching is indeed about discipleship, then we need to find ways to connect in person, as well as by phone - Dave Billings Hi Bruce – nice, concise article. As I read it, the thought that stood out was the part about “Jesus called the disciples to be with him.” While I appreciate what the District has done in the area of coaching, I do find that “with him” concept missing. It’s one thing to talk every other week on the phone, but being physically with your disciple needs to somehow be incorporated into the mix. I’m not sure how that can happen within the district setting, but I see it as a need. As I strive to disciple men @ MAC, I find that phone conversations are not enough. I regularly meet with them, as well as stay in contact via phone, email, even hand written notes. But I know the local setting is different than the District setting because we as Pastors are on site, while District coaches have a larger geographical setting to cover. Yet, if the coaching is indeed about discipleship, then we need to find ways to connect in person, as well as by phone – Dave Billings

]]> By: Rowena Martin http://metrocma.org/ds-blog/fishing-rods-and-coaching/comment-page-1/#comment-54 Rowena Martin Fri, 26 Jun 2009 13:05:42 +0000 http://metrocma.org/?p=714#comment-54 Allow me a moment to introduce myself. My name is Rowena Martin. I sat in on the seminar that you and Richard Bush gave at Council. This is an area in which I am keenly interested. My husband Paul serves as the senior pastor of Alliance Bible Church in McHenry, Illinois. We have been here for 24 years in September. Over the years we have seen many ups and downs in ministry as well as church attendance. For many years I was heavily involved in church activities for every age group. About seven years ago I was able to stand back and gain a different perspective of my ministry. I realized that though I had led many wonderful Bible studies, none of those women had gone on to similarly lead studies. I had not reproduced myself at all. As a piano teacher for the past 25+ years I have had at least three of my students progress to a degree in music and current teaching status. I began thinking about why I had not reproduced in this other realm even though we are commanded to make disciples. From 2004-2006 I was also finishing my Bachelor's Degree at Crown Online. (I began in 1972!) My studies led me to begin thinking seriously about one-on-one discipleship, or small group discipleship. I prayed that God would show me where to start. Within a few weeks three of the young women in my church asked me if I would work with them every other week. We committed to a year. That was two 1/2 years ago. We all agreed that much growth took place that year. We've met some since but each of the women has had a child and getting together is very difficult. The year after the group of three I began working one-on-one with two women in our church. I am still meeting with one of them every other week and I can see her growth. I have never been mentored or discipled or coached in any formal way. I grew up in a good Baptist church and attended Toccoa and then Crown. I realize that what you said at Council is true, that one tends to coach as one has been coached. This is also true in piano teaching. I have had at least five teachers and I picked up ideas from each. Do you have suggestions for a coach for women? I have few funds but a great desire to improve in this area. Currently I am serving at the zone level with Alliance Women and have been advised that we are going to a structure this next year where a number of women in the district will be asked to "mentor" or coach other pastor's wives and/or AW leaders. This has been on my heart for a number of years as I realize that my many years and experience in ministry might be of benefit to younger women. Please advise me of possible coaches. I want one who is intent on helping in spiritual formation--one whom I can model in my own coaching. I definitely agree that discipleship that leads to obedience is the goal of our ministry. A few years ago I helped our Small Groups Pastor develop our small group ministry. Our desire was that it aid in discipleship. It has been good for fellowship, accountability, increasing connectedness, etc. but still falls short in producing Christians growing in obedience. Herb also attended your seminar at Council and agrees we must go deeper. Thank you for the time you just spent in reading this. Your time is very valuable and that is the reason you have invested in coaching. I know I am not in your district but wanted you to know that Herb and I were blessed by your seminar. It seems to be the next step. Allow me a moment to introduce myself. My name is Rowena Martin. I sat in on the seminar that you and Richard Bush gave at Council. This is an area in which I am keenly interested. My husband Paul serves as the senior pastor of Alliance Bible Church in McHenry, Illinois. We have been here for 24 years in September. Over the years we have seen many ups and downs in ministry as well as church attendance. For many years I was heavily involved in church activities for every age group. About seven years ago I was able to stand back and gain a different perspective of my ministry. I realized that though I had led many wonderful Bible studies, none of those women had gone on to similarly lead studies. I had not reproduced myself at all.

As a piano teacher for the past 25+ years I have had at least three of my students progress to a degree in music and current teaching status. I began thinking about why I had not reproduced in this other realm even though we are commanded to make disciples. From 2004-2006 I was also finishing my Bachelor’s Degree at Crown Online. (I began in 1972!) My studies led me to begin thinking seriously about one-on-one discipleship, or small group discipleship. I prayed that God would show me where to start. Within a few weeks three of the young women in my church asked me if I would work with them every other week. We committed to a year. That was two 1/2 years ago. We all agreed that much growth took place that year. We’ve met some since but each of the women has had a child and getting together is very difficult.

The year after the group of three I began working one-on-one with two women in our church. I am still meeting with one of them every other week and I can see her growth.

I have never been mentored or discipled or coached in any formal way. I grew up in a good Baptist church and attended Toccoa and then Crown. I realize that what you said at Council is true, that one tends to coach as one has been coached. This is also true in piano teaching. I have had at least five teachers and I picked up ideas from each. Do you have suggestions for a coach for women? I have few funds but a great desire to improve in this area. Currently I am serving at the zone level with Alliance Women and have been advised that we are going to a structure this next year where a number of women in the district will be asked to “mentor” or coach other pastor’s wives and/or AW leaders. This has been on my heart for a number of years as I realize that my many years and experience in ministry might be of benefit to younger women.

Please advise me of possible coaches. I want one who is intent on helping in spiritual formation–one whom I can model in my own coaching.

I definitely agree that discipleship that leads to obedience is the goal of our ministry. A few years ago I helped our Small Groups Pastor develop our small group ministry. Our desire was that it aid in discipleship. It has been good for fellowship, accountability, increasing connectedness, etc. but still falls short in producing Christians growing in obedience. Herb also attended your seminar at Council and agrees we must go deeper.

Thank you for the time you just spent in reading this. Your time is very valuable and that is the reason you have invested in coaching. I know I am not in your district but wanted you to know that Herb and I were blessed by your seminar. It seems to be the next step.

]]>