UMEA Endorses Four Clergy for the Ministry of Life Coaching

A coach considers the whole person, helping him or her move forward in life by offering deep listening, asking powerful questions, and providing vital support. Coaching can be one way to help a person move more fully into the “fullness of life” which Jesus offers (John 10:10).

Thomas R Hawkins, in Faithful Guides: Coaching Strategies for Church Leaders (Discipleship Resources, 2006) writes: “Coaching is about transformation and change. It is about helping people claim and use the gifts of ministry that God has given them. Coaching will become an increasingly important skill as the church moves away from its old pattern of making members toward the new reality of making disciples.”

In April of this year, Jim Robey became the first United Methodist clergyperson to be officially endorsed for the Ministry of Life Coaching. He was previously endorsed as a Pastoral Counselor and continues with both endorsements. Karen Prevatt, Sharon Vandegrift, and Val Hastings were endorsed in October.

These four clergy are leading our denomination in using Life Coaching in ministry. Each one is in a different ministry setting and demonstrates in her or his own way how coaching is important in this new era of ministry.

DR. JIM ROBEY, an Elder in the North Alabama Conference, earned his Doctor of Ministry degree from Emory University and is a graduate of the renowned Co-Active Leadership Program of the Coaches Training Institute. He is appointed as Executive Director of ATTENTIONAL GROWTH INC, a non-profit organization which he founded. Jim brings a passion for helping people become more of who they are called by God to be. Included in his coaching is his humor, life experiences, 39 years serving churches, love for God and the church, and a profound commitment to partnering with others in their own ministry. Dr. Robey coaches ministers, District Superintendents, Directors of Connectional Ministry and others who are motivated to grow in life fulfillment. His clients are from the USA, Canada and Europe. He can be contacted at (205) 960-3157 or Jim@AttentionalGrowth.org. His Web site is www.AttentionalGrowth.org .

KAREN H. PREVATT, an Elder in the South Georgia Conference, received her Masters of Divinity at Emory University and is a Certified Life Coach with the Institute for Life Coach Training. She is a trained Leading from Your Strengths Coach and a Prepare/Enrich administrator. Karen is appointed to Living Tall, Inc. which offers coaching, speaking, and teaching experiences. Her clients include small business owners seeking confidential accountability, non-profits aiming to improve team relationships, couples strengthening their marriages and individuals navigating through life changes or seeking to live out their values and make their intentions a reality. Clients gain clarity and focus as they are energized to step out - often pushing past barriers, and working towards goals that allow them to live from their God-given strengths. At 4’7”, Karen is a little person and the shortest pastor in the South Georgia Conference but by the grace of God lives tall. Her coaching encourages and challenges people to move from thinking small to living tall! Karen can be contacted at (912) 897-5815 or karen@livingtall.com. Her Web site is www.livingtall.com.

SHARON L. Vandegrift is an ordained elder presently serving as senior pastor of Covenant United Methodist Church in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference. She has been professionally engaging people in the dynamics of life choices for over 25 years. Her special affinity for the life and work of the professional pastor make her an extremely effective coach for clergywomen who are just starting out on the pastoral journey, as well as for the seasoned pastor who wants to move forward. Throughout her ministry Sharon has served in a variety of capacities including Campus Minister, Pastor of small churches, and Senior Pastor and Head of Staff of larger congregations. Sharon brings a passion for partnering with those who desire change in their lives. Those who have worked with Sharon have consistently found the renewed hope and vital energy necessary to embrace the beauty of their dreams as real possibility!

In addition to being endorsed, Sharon is credentialed as an Associate Certified Coach with the International Coach Federation and a Certified Life Coach through the Institute for Life Coach Training. Sharon also holds a Master of Divinity Degree from Princeton Theological Seminary (’84), and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Philosophy and Religion from Albright College ('81). Sharon can be contacted at bridge-the-gap@comcast.net or 610-551-2979.

J. VAL HASTINGS, PCC is the founder and president of Coaching4Clergy, which empowers today’s spiritual leaders through individual coaching, group coaching and coach training. Val has a global vision of providing coaching and coach training to all of today’s spiritual leaders.

Val is an ordained Elder in the Eastern Pennsylvania Annual Conference, a Professional Certified Coach and a faculty member at Coach University. In addition, Val has extensive training and expertise in Change and Transition Management. This training has prepared him to empower today’s spiritual leaders and their faith communities. Val can be reached at 610-385-8034 or val@coaching4clergy.com. His Web site is www.coaching4clergy.com.

Coaching is one way to provide support for ministers so that one is not “alone” in the sacred work of the clergy. It provides a method of accountability and support for making life changes. It also offers a method of personal development that can be used individually and with small groups. The skills learned while being coached can be used in ministry and other situations. In order for more clergy to experience the power of coaching, each of these four ministers offers a free sample session.

Endorsement for the Ministry of Life Coaching is available for a Deacon or Elder who demonstrates proficiency as a Life Coach through credentialing by the International Coach Federation (ICF) and meets the minimum requirements as an Associate Certified Coach (ACC). In applying for Endorsement, the minister must articulate theologically and pastorally how Life Coaching is part of his or her calling as a minister. Letters of recommendation are also required with the application and an in person interview is conducted at the Endorsement Retreat. A final vote is received from the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry. This agency then issues the Letter of Endorsement.

For more information about endorsement, contact the Rev. Tom Carter at (615) 340-7411 or tcarter@gbhem.org.